bat. charger for electrolysis

[1930artdeco]

Hi All,

I am looking at getting a new battery charger for an electrolysis tank I will be setting up. I am looking at getting a 'westward':

Battery Charger, Charger/Starter, UL Rated Amps 6V 10, UL Rated Amps 12V 2/10, UL Rated Amps Start 55, Manual 6/12V (M), Charge Time 3 to 5 (Hours) 6V, Charge Time 3 to 5 (Hours) 12V, 6 Ft, 3 Conductor AC Cord, Input 2.2 Amps, 120 Voltage, Overall Width 10-2/3 In, Overall Height 5 In, Overall Depth 9-2/3 In, For Cars, Light and Medium Duty Trucks, Tractors With 6v Systems, Cable Length 72 In, UL Listed

I was wondering if this is a good charger (made in taiwan) and will it work?

Thanks,

Miek

 

[930dreamer]

Not sure if it's good or not, but it will work.

 

[Steevo]

As long as it isn't too "smart" it should work.
The fancy electronic ones with battery sensing circuits, and float charging won't do, because they won't put out any juice if they have no battery load on them.
The old style "dumb" chargers that just put out 12v at 2A regardless whether they have a battery on them or not work best.

 

[Outlawmws]

As long as it isn't too "smart" it should work.
The fancy electronic ones with battery sensing circuits, and float charging won't do, because they won't put out any juice if they have no battery load on them.
The old style "dumb" chargers that just put out 12v at 2A regardless whether they have a battery on them or not work best.

This ^^^^

An easy "test" is how heavy is the charger? If it has a (heavy) transformer, you are probably all right. if not... The solid state (Light in weight) chargers have been problematic for electrolysis, and I'm not sure any of the current "homeowner" units have an actual transformer.

One guy did manage to "trick" his "smart" charger into getting started, by getting the part close to the anode, and getting it to start, but I wouldn't bet on that working all the time...

Best source: Yard sales and flea markets...

 

[barks]

Will a power supply out of a computer work with the electrolysis.

 

[Outlawmws]

Will a power supply out of a computer work with the electrolysis.

For a short time until it burns up. With clean anodes and a large part, it will want to draw more than a PS that size can provide...

For small parts, probably not an issue.

 

[1320stang]

What about an old arc welder.....

 

[Outlawmws]

What about an old arc welder.....

Overkill for most applications, but if you want to do a truck frame... (I've seen it done...)

 

[Steevo]

What about an old arc welder.....

In addition to overkill, as Outlaw mentioned, this starts getting into amperage ranges that can KILL. You wouldn't want to screw up and be making yourself the pathway between that.
I've been shocked a few times with a 2A battery charger when moving things in or out of the electrolysis tank. I wouldn't want that to be 180A at 24v.

 

[ForceFed70]

For a short time until it burns up. With clean anodes and a large part, it will want to draw more than a PS that size can provide...

For small parts, probably not an issue.

So why don't battery chargers burn out then?

Typical modern PC power supply is rated to supply over 20amps at 12V.

 

[beerdog]

I frequently come across old battery chargers at sales. Always pass on them. Never thought to use one for this so I will have to pickone up.

 

[Outlawmws]

So why don't battery chargers burn out then?

Typical modern PC power supply is rated to supply over 20amps at 12V.

I wouldn't know, I'm reporting what I've had reported to me. maybe these were older, smaller, PC power supplies, maybe "modern" power supplies have the same honesty issues as electric motor ratings have today...

And 20 amps? Not that I've shopped for a PC PS lately, but the ratings I recall seeing when I did were 350, maybe 500 watts...

 

[Murphy4570]

In addition to overkill, as Outlaw mentioned, this starts getting into amperage ranges that can KILL. You wouldn't want to screw up and be making yourself the pathway between that.
I've been shocked a few times with a 2A battery charger when moving things in or out of the electrolysis tank. I wouldn't want that to be 180A at 24v.

You're feeling the voltage, not the amperage. Otherwise you would be dead already.

It takes less than one tenth of an amp to kill you. ANY power supply for an electrolysis tank will have enough power to kill you. Safety is paramount with such a setup.

An old arc welder would do the trick very nicely, since it was mentioned. A cheap used 110V model can be had for less than $50. Hell, you can find Lincoln Buzzbox AC-225 welders for $50-150, and those put out a helluva LOT of power when turned from "stun" to "Kill".

 

[kald]

A welder would work just fine. BUT IT MUST BE DC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You cannot use an old "lincoln AC-225" You need to verify the polarity with a meter as well.

They will work quickly as well, I forget what voltage they are, 50-60? So 40 amps at about 50 volts will really be cooking.

 

[coolreed]

Keep in mind you don't have to use a Automotive Battery Charger as you can use a DC Power Supply. So don't get a brain freeze on a Battery Charger.

The key is providing adequate current for electrolysis. It is nice if you can monitor the current and adjust it accordingly. If it were me and I wanted to perform electrolysis on a regular basis I would find a dedicated and regulated DC power supply.

Kirk Out!

 

[kbs2244]

If it is new it is electronic.
And if it is electronic it won't work.

As said pick it up.
If it is heavy, then try and peek in one of the cooling slots for a transformer.
If you can see one you should be able to defeat any "stop charging" stuff.