electrolysis

[Anonymous-0]

looked in the archives about electrolysis. Saw that you mix 5 gals H2O to 1/2 cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. Is there something else than Washing soda that you can use? Haven't been able to locate the washing soda. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Bruce(VA)]

Washing soda is just pure sodium carbonate w/ maybe some anti-caking agents in it. If you can't find it on the laundry aisle of your grocery store, try the "pool products" aisle in the big-box stores. It's also used in hot tubs to quickly change the pH of the water. But, plan on paying twice as much for the same product.

I get my washing soda at the local Wally-World or Krogers grocery store.

PS..........

Start w/ 1/2 cup to 5 gallons & watch the meter on your charger. If it doesn't draw more than 1 or 2 amps, add more soda.
50 Tips

 

[gwoc]

Some use lye as an additive. Use with extreme caution!!! Face shield/goggles, gloves, ventilation, apron, etc., etc. I did find washing soda at my local Walmart.

 

[souNdguy]

ditto what bruce said.

walmart here carries washing soda in the powdered landry isle.. but fialing that.. 'ph+' addative in the pool / spa section is the same.

that is the prefered soup.. it's stay away from lye.

there are other electrolytes that will work.. but some can damage the work piece too...

 

[Jubilee85 (VA)]

Bruce is this the same stuff as PH UP in the pool supply places? I buy a lot of PH UP to increase my PH in my little outdoor pool. Acid rain is always lowering it and I have to add almost 4 lbs a to get 12,500 gallons up from 6.8 to 7.0 PH, if so - it is about 6 bucks for 4 lbs of the stuff!

 

[fostersfarm]

tcarson. I have bookmarked about 20 websites/articles on electrolysis. I can't do a cut and paste here but am able to email them. If you send me or post your email address I will send them to you.

Thanks, Foster

 

[Bruce(VA)]

AFAIK, yes.

Double check the label to make sure, but sodium carbonate is sodium carbonate!

As we speak, I've got a bottle of whatever the stuff is labeled from the Wally-World pool aisle sitting right beside the washing soda on the shelf in the shop.

It's just like boron. You can buy pure boron for the garden at $5 a lb (plus shipping) or just buy 20 Mule Team Borax at the grocery store for 50% of the price. And no shipping.

 

[souNdguy]

ph+ / sodium carbonate, aka washing soda...

 

[Jubilee85 (VA)]

ell - I ought to buy a big ol box then and stop wasting my $$$$ at wally world on $6 a big scoop!
thanks fella's

 

[Walston]

For whatever reason you can't find it in these parts either. I buy it on Amazon and it show up at the house in about 3 days.