Hey Slash, thanks for the feedback info
G'day Widget apparently it's used as an electrolyte so shouldn't make any real difference. I have used bi carb and believe it's pretty much all the same. Even the quantity doesn't seem too critical. I read you could use plain salt but it's a little counter productive.
Yeh I've always used Bi-Carb, seemed to work ok. Came across the SODA ASH, figured I'd give it a shot. I also use VINEGAR on smaller items such as bolts.. works rather well.. I should post a pic.. though I think the parts need to go into some water/Bi-Carb mix to nutrilise the acid otherwise it flash-rusts the parts
.. soemthing i've noticed on all parts, even the electrolysis parts.
I did hear somewhere that Sea-salt (i.e. ocean water) was a good conductor.. too bad no ocean near me.. would gone down with a bucket, give it a test :p
Just remember to only ever put steel in there. Again I have read that if you use galvanised it releases the zinc and stainless releases chromium both of which are heavy metals and not very friendly whereas using plain steel releases bugger all and can be tipped out without leaving nasties.
I wonder what the wire I used was made of... one thing I noticed was the water turned black.. unusual compared to previous electrolysis attempts... even the part I used for cleaning (mower blade plate) came out with black all over it.. even after hitting it with the hose. (might take a pic and upload).
I'll have to hunt around, try and find some normal steel.. couldnt find any before, so I used the wire mesh thing.
What about old car rotors ? think they're made of steel ?? maybe ill give that a shot...
Apparently the smart battery chargers don't work because they sense the load where as an old battery charger or power supply works fine. They say that too high a power and it will pit the surface more and you could even use a spare car battery then recharge when done.
Started off with the battery charger.. worked.. but not well.. it was low amps and waas more of a trickle charge so It'll send out these little pulses lol.. ended up modding an old computer PSU and using the 12v10amp.. though am planning on connecting the 5v30amp and maybe using something to limit the current flow down to 15-20amp if 30amp is a bit high.
Any opinions about using an old steel 44 gallon drum and having the piece(s) hang in the middle then using the drum itself as the anode ?