Quick Electrolysis Question

Clarkbug · Dec 29, 2008

Hello All.

As part of my tinkering efforts, I have set up a small electrolysis tank, and am on the search for sacrificial anodes. I have been using some Re-bar and a piece of old gas tank strap, and that seems to be working well so far.

However, I just helped my father with a brake job on his truck, and there are now two worn out brake drums in the scrap pile. They look like they would fit pretty well in the bottom of the 5 gallon pail Im using...

Has anyone used one of these before as an anode? Any ideas how best to connect this thing up so I get a good connection with it at the bottom of the pail?

banjo · Dec 29, 2008

from what i understand , you do not want any of the parts or anode to be on the bottom of your tank.All the crud and sludge is down there.

Walt Davies · Dec 30, 2008

Use copper or Zinc
Walt

John B. · Dec 30, 2008

You don't want any connection below the surface of your water. You want all the electricity to flow thru the electrode/anode and the item you're cleaning.

Your electrode/anode should be apprx. the same size or bigger than the item you are cleaning.

Using a metal bucket I found works good. But you don't want the item you're cleaning to touch the bucket any where or it will short out and the process will never take place. You need to suspend the part that is being cleaned.

A plastic bucket works also with a piece of sheet metal wrapped around the innerside as the electrode/anode.

Clarkbug · Dec 30, 2008

Walt,

I thought that if I was working with Iron or Steel, I had to use Iron or Steel as a sacrificial anode. Otherwise wouldnt I get copper or zinc on the part that I was trying to clean?

Crem · Dec 30, 2008

A lot of times I use the empty bean cans etc that I have to recycle for the sacrificial part. I punch a hole near the top rim and make a hook on my copper wire and hook the can on. If the copper wire is stranded, I twist it on tight. I then lower the can into the water and let it fill up with water. The can will tilt away from the hook side from the weight of the water and I raise it up until the wire is just out of the water but the lip on the other side is still under the water. Then I clip the wire to the rim to hold it there. When the can wears out, I just add another one. There isn't much left of the can to throw away.

Quick Electrolysis Question

Clarkbug

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banjo

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Walt Davies

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John B.

Well-known Member

Clarkbug

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Crem

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