Electrolysis amperage question

[mmorris]

I'm getting ready to "fry" my rust away using the electrolysis method. My battery charger has several settings, both 6 and 12 volt. The settings are 2, 15, and 125 amp. Which do I use and about how long can I expect to leave them in the washing soda solution "cooking"? Thanks.

[mickyd]

I'm getting ready to "fry" my rust away using the electrolysis method. My battery charger has several settings, both 6 and 12 volt. The settings are 2, 15, and 125 amp. Which do I use and about how long can I expect to leave them in the washing soda solution "cooking"? Thanks.
I'd go with 12V, 2amps, 12 to 24hrs. Too much amperage only heats the bath. Post some pics of your setup if you can.

[JPG40504]

I would go with 15. It doesn't actually control the current directly. Typically all it does is change the voltage, which causes an increase/decrease in barrery charge current.

You are not charging batteries, therefore other factors control the current. Those factors are mainly the area of the electrodes, and their proximity to each other.

I am saying all this after struggling myself with an unreliable charger. However, all I have said above is consistent with my observations after 'fixing' the charger.

Mike: Have you actually been heating the electrolyte????

[foxtrapper]

Far more important than the amperage setting is the size and location of your annode. With lots of surface area, you'll get very quick results with 2 amps. With a small anode, you'll get poor results with 50 amps.

[JPG40504]

Far more important than the amperage setting is the size and location of your annode. With lots of surface area, you'll get very quick results with 2 amps. With a small anode, you'll get poor results with 50 amps.
How do you get 50 A with a small anode?:confused:

Have you tried this by actually measuring a 50 A current flow, or are you 'setting' the charger to 50 A 'mode'?

[reible]

Hi,

From my experience using a battery charger with a zero to 8 amp reading it will always run about 2 amps. That makes sense, the voltage is fixed and the resistance appears to be constant thus the current will be constant.

If you were using an adjustable power supply raising the voltage would change things but outside of that I really don't see anyway to force the current higher...

Ed

[JPG40504]

Hi,

From my experience using a battery charger with a zero to 8 amp reading it will always run about 2 amps. That makes sense, the voltage is fixed and the resistance appears to be constant thus the current will be constant.

If you were using an adjustable power supply raising the voltage would change things but outside of that I really don't see anyway to force the current higher...

Ed
ME too! That is why I asked the question re 50A! The simple charger I have switches taps on the transformer thus varying the voltage.

If charging batteries, the current will vary depending upon the condition(s) of the battery being charged.

If bubbling a washing soda solution, the electrodes and spacing are the additional determining factors.

[foxtrapper]

How do you get 50 A with a small anode?:confused:

Have you tried this by actually measuring a 50 A current flow, or are you 'setting' the charger to 50 A 'mode'?

Oh good lord, can't you even recognize what I was saying? :rolleyes: