Too much current - electrolysis

[vwmark]

After giving away my last 3 setups to friends who could not believe how well it cleans parts I have made a new setup as per picture.

Problem i have is the amount of current being pulled. My 20p carboot charger which I have used loads of times is showing max current and getting really hot quickly. I tried it using a battery between the charger and tank and the connecting wires from battery got really hot but charger remained cool.

Only thing I have changed against previously succesfull cleaning is that i have put some caustic soda in to help remove paint - something others have done I believe. Any suggestions??

 

[barracuda816]

Put an apropriately sized bulb in series, that will limit the current draw. What is the max output of the little charger? also have you tried reducing the amount of soda?

 

[vwmark]

Charger is 4amp. Will try just washing soda.

 

[Windy Miller]

Charger is 4amp. Will try just washing soda.

Be sure to post up your findings - I'd be interested to know how you get on.

 

[Screwdriver]

Yes, vary the current by using more dilute electrolyte. I don't know why you'd want caustic in there, its possible the extra heat will increase conductivity and current.

For my money, the more Anode the better.

S.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Bin the metal bar what your Neg side is connected to. Replace it with wood.
Hand the part being cleaned from that, then connect the neg to the hanging wire.

 

[Screwdriver]

Bin the metal bar what your Neg side is connected to. Replace it with wood.
Hand the part being cleaned from that, then connect the neg to the hanging wire.

I don't see how that would make the slightest difference?

 

[Shedendman]

Read that some where that the caustic soda to remove paint in this setup works well,but never thought of trying it

 

[Screwdriver]

Changing the strength of the electrolyte has the same effect as adding a resistor except you're not wasting energy.

 

[wookie]

Put a resistor in series with it - then you can tune the current to a level you are happy with.

Or a variable resistor in parallel with a bulb for better power handling while having instant 'tuning'

Won't it need to be a serious wattage resister ? a cheap 1/4watt resister isn't going to survive ?

surely just using a bulb is cheaper and easier ?

 

[Screwdriver]

Read that some where that the caustic soda to remove paint in this setup works well,but never thought of trying it

I guess if you want to do two things at the same time. But sodium hydroxide is nasty stuff compared to sodium carbonate (in washing powder). You really don't need much of it either. How much are you using?

 

[vwmark]

Well it was the caustic. Emptied it out and put my normal 2 tablespoons of washing soda and its working like a dream. Pulling 1.5a and charger stone cold with everything bubbling away.

 

[vwmark]

Yes, vary the current by using more dilute electrolyte. I don't know why you'd want caustic in there, its possible the extra heat will increase conductivity and current.
For my money, the more Anode the better.

S.

Anode is full depth and all the way around.

 

[Swift&Bold]

Only add soda to the electrolysis mix, anything else is unnecessary, even damaging to the metal in the bath.

 

[MattF]

Only add soda to the electrolysis mix, anything else is unnecessary, even damaging to the metal in the bath.

That's bunkum, to a degree, unless you use a chemical/compound which is totally unsuitable for the process or piece. Caustic, for example, is the preferred electrolyte in certain circumstances.

As with any setup, things need tuning. You can't just use anything to hand and expect perfection straight off the bat.

 

[graffian]

Caustic, for example, is the preferred electrolyte in certain circumstances.
As with any setup, things need tuning. You can't just use anything to hand and expect perfection straight off the bat.

Caustic is the only thing I have used, mainly cos I always have a tub of caustic. Tell a lie first time I tired it
I was a young whippersnapper and I used table salt, i was trying to clean an old shardlow mic I had left out on the
grass and found after about a year. I can't remember why I never used salt again but I haven't.

 

[Screwdriver]

Its a good electrolyte but it's nasty stuff and much easier to use washing powder (which contains sodium carbonate). If you use salt I imagine the part will flash rust the instant you take it out of the bath. I assume it generates a fair stink of chlorine too.

 

[Swift&Bold]

The beauty of electrolysis is that it stops when the process is completed, corrosives don't, they carry on working on the good stuff, that's the best reason for not using them in an electrolysis setup.