[SEL] Electrolysis - What does this remove?

[Glenn Wilson]

I  think the main purpose of this is to remove Rust - but what other stuff
does it take off?
Thanks, Glenn Wilson


-----Original Message-----
From: stationary-engine-request at oldengine.org
[mailto:stationary-engine-request at oldengine.org]On Behalf Of Craig Mathews
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2004 11:39 PM
To: stationary-engine at oldengine.org
Subject: Re: FYI Electrolysis


If you use Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda, the grease and paint are not a
problem, comes right off. I use a small battery charger, about 8 amps,
cleans semi large parts in a 5 gallon bucket in two to three days, I have a
larger set-up for 15 gallons for larger parts. I have seen a guy do an
entire trailer in a huge tank with a DC arc welder for current and it
worked.
Just FYI

Jeff Allen <transteck at earthlink.net> wrote:
  Peter,

  I only played with this a couple times last winter. So far I haven't had a
  need to try it again, but that will change soon. All my experiments have
  been in a five gallon bucket with a small battery charger. I don't think I
  ever got over 8 amps on the meter, and maybe not that high. For reference
  that was a Maytag gas tank bottom. My biggest problem was surface rust
  formed immediately even though I blew the parts off right away.

  There was quite a discussion on the list about this, and John Culp came up
  with sodium silicate. So as not to ramble the solution we use in the ultra
  sonic cleaner at work has this in it for rust prevention. It works,
several
  weeks, and is paintable. I will use it on my next experiment.

  Now to your questions.

  >
  > 1) How does the current requirement change with surface area of the
part> being
  > cleaned? Linearly? Logarithmically?

  I found the distance from the object to the electrode was the biggest
factor
  in the amount of current. Size didn't seem to make a difference. The
number
  of electodes also seems to have an effect on current. My latest experiment
  has a piece of stretched sheet metal surrounding the inside of the entire
  bucket. Seems to work pretty good with that surface area. Have a few
  pictures if you want them.
  >
  > 2) How long does the solution last?

  Mine lasted for months.
  >
  > 3) What disposal methods are used for spent solution?

  Haven't done it yet. The water evaporated over the summer. Near as I can
  tell I have baking soda and iron in the bottom of the bucket. I'll save it
  for the roses next spring. Heard iron is great for them.
  >
  > 4) Can the solution be topped up with more Soda or is it a one-shot
  > process?

  It only takes a small amout of baking s! oda or whatever you use. Water
level
  dropps, mix a little more in a gallon jug and top it off.

  That's the best I can do for you Peter. I will tell you it does work, but
  the parts have to be clean, no grease, etc.
  Here is a link you might check out.
  http://www.angelfire.com/tx/hotube/electro.html

  Have fun, and keep us posted on your experiences.

  Regards,

  Jeff Allen
  Arvada, Colorado USA

  http://oldengine.org/members/allen/
  http://frapa.us/




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