Author Topic: electrolysis question (Read 7112 times)

Bob Sauder · « **on:** November 06, 2015, 09:48:57 AM »

I'm trying electrolysis for the first time since i've read some rave reviews about it. I'm currently trying it on a skillet that had quite a bit of crud on it. My charger is only 6a but I've had it on 12 or so hours and I'm just not impressed with the results. The pan has started to shed some black flakes that looks like paint peeling, but not a lot. I've been able to scrape some off, but I don't want to scratch the pan.
My question is does electrolysis work on crud build-up or does it only work on rust?
bob

Jeff Friend · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2015, 10:53:48 AM »

Bob,

The hydrogen that is liberated on the surface of the pan will lift a lot of the crud. Make sure you have good connections. Even though 6A will do the job, there may be much less current flowing. If your connections are good, increasing the strength of the electrolyte solution will increase the current flow, as will moving the pan closer to the positive electrode. Avoid exceeding the rating of your charger or it could be damaged.

You can scrub off a lot of loose crud with a stainless steel Chore Boy pad without scratching the cast iron.

Jeff

Bob Sauder · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2015, 11:42:12 AM »

Thanks Jeff, I think I need to be a little more patient. I'll think I'll leave it going a few more hours while I go get a SS scrubber.
bob

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2015, 11:46:05 AM »

Bob, a picture of your eletro set up would be helpful.

A manual battery charger is required to keep the current flowing, and the size of the anode(s) is important also.

A lot of factors to consider. :) :)

Bob Sauder · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2015, 12:24:31 PM »

Cheryl, I can't get a good picture of it at the moment but I can describe it just as well. It's a 5 gal plastic bucket with a 3/8" x 2' long rebar bent in a U shape clamped to one edge and my #8 skillet hanging from the opposite edge positioned so it doesn't touch the anode. Hope that helps.
bob

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2015, 12:31:03 PM »

The anode should be at least as wide and high as the piece being cleaned. Rebar is not going to cut the mustard, so to speak :)

My first electro (after the early experimental units) ....

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2015, 12:36:16 PM »

My newest Electro....

Bob Sauder · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2015, 01:15:03 PM »

Wow, Is that a stainless bucket?

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2015, 01:18:17 PM »

First set of pics are Stainless Plates.

Second is a 55 gallon SS barrel. :) :)

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2015, 01:23:53 PM »

I use a Lye bath first to strip the pieces, then I use Electrolysis.

Saves wear and tear on the battery charger and anodes, and the electric bill too!

Speaking of Battery Chargers... I run my rigs at 20 Amps...

Bob Sauder · « **Reply #10 on:** November 06, 2015, 01:30:55 PM »

Wow, that's serious stuff!! I don't even want to see a photo of your charger!
bob

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2015, 01:32:15 PM »

But this is how I started... with regular steel and small containers.

The folks here got me hooked very quickly! :) :)

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #12 on:** November 06, 2015, 01:34:40 PM »

LOL... I was already posting the charger pic!!

A totally MANUAL charger is necessary.

An automatic will not maintain constant current flow.

Bob Sauder · « **Reply #13 on:** November 06, 2015, 01:36:00 PM »

Mine is fully manual.

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #14 on:** November 06, 2015, 01:44:22 PM »

This is electro #2 which is currently in use also...

I'll soon be draining them for the winter.. :( :(

C. Perry Rapier · « **Reply #15 on:** November 06, 2015, 03:34:46 PM »

I have seen this lady when she first come on here. I showed her a lot, but she's a quick study. She knows more than me now. What she don't know about electrolysis, it ain't worth knowin. ;) :)

Bob Sauder · « **Reply #16 on:** November 06, 2015, 03:59:59 PM »

Firing up my Weber kettle right now. Gets up to about 600 deg. then let it burn out. Giving up on my toy elect.set-up for now. I know the fire works.
bob

C. Perry Rapier · « **Reply #17 on:** November 06, 2015, 08:30:30 PM »

Quote

Firing up my Weber kettle right now. Gets up to about 600 deg. then let it burn out. Giving up on my toy elect.set-up for now. I know the fire works.
bob

Hello Bob. What I know about electro, I learned right here. Before that I knew how to jump a stalled car. That was when I was a lot younger and I could still jump a car, now I crawl over them. But seriously they are easy to do. I started out using flattened out number 10 food cans. It worked great and it ate the cans up so good you could crumble them to pieces with your bare hands. :)

Bob Sauder · « **Reply #18 on:** November 07, 2015, 10:06:34 AM »

Gave it up and went with the fire!!
bob

Duke Gilleland · « **Reply #19 on:** November 07, 2015, 07:23:13 PM »

Hate to hear that you did. It may not have warped or cracked but... I have seen fired cast iron that shed TINY cigarette paper thin slivers afterwards. would have gone with Easy Off in a plastic bag first.

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Author Topic: electrolysis question (Read 7112 times)