Electrolysis setup; need help

[87Pomona]

I have this setup and I'm not getting anything(bubbles, rust removal etc.) with 3 different chargers.

What am I doing wrong?

I'm using Arm and Hammer Super Washing soda.

Positive is connected to a 1/2" 2' rebar, Negative is on a Vise handle

 

[Geurt]

positive should be on the re-bar and negative on the work piece.

the process is line of sight, so more re-bar in a closer proximity around the handle could help.

 

[87Pomona]

positive should be on the re-bar and negative on the work piece.

the process is line of sight, so more re-bar in a closer proximity around the handle could help.

Positive is on the rebar; my typing mistake lol (see pictures)

I guess I can pick up some more rebar and cut/weld a square to surround the item getting de-rusted.

 

[nine4gmc]

That^, reverse your connections and get more re-bar.

 

[1320stang]

You have it hooked up correct, get 5 more pieces of rebar to use for abides, use spring clamps to attach them to the tub in each corner and the middle of the sides. Use a piece of bare copper from a scrap of romex to wire all 6 pieces together. Take a piece of 1x thats longer than the tub to hang your handle from, I use .023 mig wire to hang my stuff.

 

[Geurt]

You have it hooked up correct, get 5 more pieces of rebar to use for abides, use spring clamps to attach them to the tub in each corner and the middle of the sides. Use a piece of bare copper from a scrap of romex to wire all 6 pieces together. Take a piece of 1x thats longer than the tub to hang your handle from, I use .023 mig wire to hang my stuff.

I did something similar. Works like a charme

 

[Thunderbisciut]

I use a couple 1/2" graphite rods instead of steel/iron, less messy. If anyone has trouble locating washing soda, you can make it by baking baking soda, lol.

 

[454ragtop]

I find I get better results with a battery as the source for the DC, and hook the charger to the battery.
HTH, Jim

 

[Chuck McB]

Try a piece of steel sheet instead of rebar works for me.

 

[1982fxr]

with a wire wheel, clean both spots where the clamps get attached.

 

[pfarber]

Electrolytic rust removal is LINE OF SIGHT. That means if you cannot draw a straight, unbostructed line from the rust to the anode it will not work well... like 10% of the potential of rust with LOW.

The key is LOW VOLTAGE, high amperage.

 

[Outlawmws]

You have it hooked up correct, get 5 more pieces of rebar to use for abides, use spring clamps to attach them to the tub in each corner and the middle of the sides. Use a piece of bare copper from a scrap of romex to wire all 6 pieces together. Take a piece of 1x thats longer than the tub to hang your handle from, I use .023 mig wire to hang my stuff.

This... (Except I use iron mechanics wire)

I find I get better results with a battery as the source for the DC, and hook the charger to the battery.
HTH, Jim

and This...

 

[balane]

Try a piece of steel sheet instead of rebar works for me.

Just for experimentation purposes I used an old cookie sheet (Ask the wife first!!!) and it worked really well. Seemed faster too.

 

[Major Ramifications]

You're not trying to use one of those electronic battery chargers, are you?

 

[littlefan]

battery charger has to be a manual one no automatic anything

 

[87Pomona]

I'm this old charger

 

[1320stang]

Well there's your problem, low amperage. That's just a trickle charger, you need a bigger charger, check pawn shops, get a roll around if you can.

 

[87Pomona]

I have a roll around but its a fully auto charger

 

[87Pomona]

How would this charger work? Found one on c-list for $15

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0001FFHCA

 

[nine4gmc]

that should work fine

 

[87Pomona]

Well I picked up a Solar 1050 10 amp manual charger on C-List today. Hooked it up the same as in the pictures; 1 Rebar. Works great!

This is my first electrolysis cleaning so I'm excited to see how this Hollands vise turns out.

 

[cattleranchmarch]

Can someone educate me on what is going here? From what I can gather you use this to remove rust. If so how would you use it to remove the rust off rusty sockets?

 

[87Pomona]

Can someone educate me on what is going here? From what I can gather you use this to remove rust. If so how would you use it to remove the rust off rusty sockets?

http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

 

[balane]

Can someone educate me on what is going here? From what I can gather you use this to remove rust. If so how would you use it to remove the rust off rusty sockets?

If I'm doing a sockets I just put them on metal rails/clips and attach the negative lead to the metal rail. It works great.

 

[87Pomona]

If I'm doing a sockets I just put them on metal rails/clips and attach the negative lead to the metal rail. It works great.

Thats a great idea!

 

[cattleranchmarch]

Thanks! That is pretty cool.

 

[JasonW]

If I'm doing a sockets I just put them on metal rails/clips and attach the negative lead to the metal rail. It works great.

Thats a great idea!

That really is a good idea. I'm going to have to keep it in mind.

 

[Chris05gto]

Can you use piece of galvanize for the donor metal?

 

[Outlawmws]

Can you use piece of galvanize for the donor metal?

NO! Never use plated metals or stainless as the sacrificial anode.

Rebar is good or any other "black" iron or steel

 

[Chris05gto]

NO! Never use plated metals or stainless as the sacrificial anode.

Rebar is good or any other "black" iron or steel

Thanks that's what I thought.

 

[930dreamer]

A block of graphite arrived in the mail this week, I'll post a video of it's use as an anode.

 

[Bunk]

I have had great luck using expanded sheet steel as an anode. Worked much better than a few pieces of angle iron. The current stayed higher for a much longer period of time it seemed.

Would love to see the carbon anode in action 930dreamer.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'd like to find a reasonably priced source for graphite around here...

 

[930dreamer]

I'd like to find a reasonably priced source for graphite around here...

What kills me is, two years ago I had four 12"x12"x1" squares that I sold. Had no idea what it could be used for.

 

[930dreamer]

Here's a quick video with the graphite anode.