Hi B_S,
No there's absolutely nothing in the bath in that photo apart from the two anodes, one on each side. The components are hung in the solution on the centre bar. Yes I was doing multiple items depending on size and space available in the bath. The more steel put in, the higher the amperage becomes as there's more surface area, but in saying that this loads up the Power Supply more and I had a solder joint continually melt and break circuit.
As far as turnaround time, that's all dependent on the amount of current running through the bath. I was pushing around 40 to 50 amps which is quite a bit and thus had the rust coming off within about 2 hours. The really deep stuff took around 3 to 4 hours in total. Like I said it's all about the amount of current you have available to pump through the bath. By doing a full machine I now have to either dispose of the solution or replace it to continue on, but in this case I'm pretty well done so out it goes. there's basically no alkalinity left in the solution.
The powder that's added to the water is "Lectric" Washing Soda as its about the only producer still left making this stuff.
I did the reel, but I still have to place it in the oven at a high temp for around 2 hours to stress relieve the steel before it's suitable for subjecting it to a cylindrical grinder that's used for grinding the reels.
Oh and I've forgotten to mention the handlebars, they also went through the bath and are now at my mates Electroplating shop having their Nickel and Chrome stripped and then they'll be given back to me to glaze and polish, after that they'll go back for chrome plating as the expensive part is the hourly rate charged for polishing. I just detest painted bars, they've got to be Chrome.
Cheers,
BB.
