Electrolysis

[ms08]

Just a quick question - done this before on steel parts on bath of soda crystals. I have a coupe of parts to clean up but they have bushes attached still with rubber and aluminium. I know the rubber is ok but will the aluminium react and should i remove them first before cleaning?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Not sure, but I'd remove them to be safe - you don't want them to get eaten away in the process.

 

[MattF]

Aluminium needs to be removed.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Remove the alloy.

 

[ms08]

Thanks all - not worried about losing as i have replaced lower arms just didn't want to contaminate the brew .

 

[Can'tWeld]

I've done it with the bushings in before, it didn't seem to affect them (though they were knackered anyway).

No ill effects on the process itself.

The aluminium is only an issue because the alkaline solution will eat it.

 

[knighty]

caustic soda eats aluminium too iirc

 

[ms08]

Not using caustic soda - washing soda for electrolysis...

 

[knighty]

oops sorry, handy you said that before I used some caustic !

 

[Can'tWeld]

You can use caustic, works just as well but no better, plus it's dangerous.

Washing soda will also dissolve aluminium though not as fast!

 

[Toleman]

Thinking of trying this today.

Can I use copper for the positive ends (anode iirc?)

Can I use a 24v mobility scooter charger or would that be overkill?

Cheers

 

[Wightsparks]

I use a 20v laptop charger.
No. the Anode must be steel. Not stainless as it produces some nasty waste products.
Some good threads on here about it http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/electrolysis.73215/ for example

 

[Toleman]

Thanks for the pointers. Set mine up today.

1 table spoon per gallon of soda crystals. Getting good amount of bubbles from a 9v 1a dc power supply I found in the loft.

Don't have an ammeter so just feeling for warmth on the tx to make sure I'm not drawing too much through it. Bit difficult with how warm it is today and the casing is black too. Got some fresh water on standby to increase the resistance of the solution if required.

So for rust proofing straight after, I've seen soaking in engine oil to coating in bees wax dissolved in white spirit. Any other methods people prefer?

 

[MattF]

Linseed oil, wax, oil etc. Pretty much whatever takes your fancy. If you're planning on painting, just a thorough drying and then wipe down with white spirit.

 

[Toleman]

Got 5 litres of engine oil so may just use that. Not going to paint. I like the look of them without.

Many thanks for your help.

Chris

 

[slim_boy_fat]

My mate saw my electrolysis setup today and is going to get washing soda tomorrow.....

 

[Toleman]

Transformer is red hot so halved my soda crystal concentration. Now at less than half a table spoon per gallon.

Came home to some serious magma on top. It was like a miners bath water.

 

[J1nx]

Thinking of trying this today.

Can I use copper for the positive ends (anode iirc?)

Can I use a 24v mobility scooter charger or would that be overkill?

Cheers

I tried a copper Anode and it did kinda work, the copper migrates but doesn't bond properly I think, rust is removed to some degree but really you want iron.

Here's my little experiment..

The water goes a nice green blue tho!

 

[Toleman]

Cool, thanks for that.

Went for steel in the end. 2 bits of plate and it's working well.