Author Topic: Electrolysis setup with automatic charger (Read 10262 times)

Tommy Harris · « **on:** July 25, 2016, 07:46:57 AM »

Ideally I would setup an E-tank with a manual charger. The problem is, I didn't have a manual charger and I did have everything else I needed. I'm not a patient person. So, I did a little googlin. I found that you can use an auto charger if you hook it up to a battery and the tank. The problem with an auto charger is it reads the tank by itself as a completely dead battery that cannot be recharged. By hooking up the battery, it reads a voltage and in turn, charge . I ran into one more small problem. My battery read as full and wouldn't charge. Soooo, I have a spare Hella brand spotlight. I hooked the light, the tank, and the charger to the battery. Other than that, the tank is set up like a normal tank. Now, im not sure how this will affect the life of the battery, but im gambling until i can get a regular charger. Onto the pictures.

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2016, 07:50:16 AM »

Here is a Wagner no 3 I am cleaning up for a friend. His grandma gave him this and another number 6 Skillet that I will be cleaning up as well. He stored them outside so they were pretty Rusty. I figured they would be good test subjects for the new electrolysis tank. :-)

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2016, 07:52:17 AM »

One major question. If I leave the skillet in long enough, will the old rust actually fall off? It has all turned black for the most part, but it is still attached to the skillet pretty good. I scrubbed it with a stainless steel scrubby last night and got some of it off, but I was hoping it would be a little easier to clean up at that point.

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2016, 08:16:20 AM »

I always but every piece thru the lye bath first.

This makes it much easier for the electrolysis to get at the rust that remains after the lye bath scrub down.

Scrubbing the converted rust off is still necessary, and depending on the condition of a piece, may require pulling from electro and scrubbing with SS scrubbie and dawn several times before you get it all gone. :)

Russell Ware · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2016, 08:25:36 AM »

Quote

If I leave the skillet in long enough,

Well, how do you define long enough, and how long do you want to wait?
If you have a substantially rusty piece, you need to take it out and scrub it down multiple times. Each time you scrub, you expose new, still rusty surface area as you brush away the black, reduced iron layer created during electrolysis. If you do not do this, when cleaning a substantially rusty piece, you will more than likely find rust under the black when you finally pull the piece out to scrub it down. Overall, you will find the process is quicker this way. Waiting for the electro to do all the work will just give you a very high utility bill.

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2016, 08:31:49 AM »

Alright. I guess I could have clarified a little. I did have it in the lye fir a few days. All organic funk has been removed. :) I love that lye bath so much more than the easy-off method. I did take the piece out of the e-tank a couple times and scrub it down with the SS scrubby. So, I am on the right path it sounds like. I like to hear that my guessing pays off every once in a while. Lol. Now, when I scrub it, I have just been using the hose and the scrubby. Will I gain a little by adding some dawn to the procedure? Thank you guys so much for the help. It is really cool and satisfying to see that piece start bubbling like crazy when you turn it on. My wife now calls me a mad scientist. Haha

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2016, 08:34:26 AM »

Just another footnote also. Not sure how many amps you are getting into your electro. If you needed the light to draw current, it may be very low amps, which will take a much longer time to clean the pan also.

I still scratch my head out in Internet land when I hear of 2 amps and under 10 amps being used, as I run at 20 AMP setting. Can't imagine 2 amps being effective in less than 3 days... JMO.. :)

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2016, 08:41:34 AM »

Quote

My wife now calls me a mad scientist

The employees at Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply and my local ACE Hardware (that are still working there after 6 years), still call me that when I walk in the door. They are disappointed if I have come in to buy normal, everyday items. 8-) and always want to help if it is for doo dads for a new electro build... ;D ;D

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2016, 09:08:15 AM »

Quote

Just another footnote also. Not sure how many amps you are getting into your electro. If you needed the light to draw current, it may be very low amps, which will take a much longer time to clean the pan also.

I still scratch my head out in Internet land when I hear of 2 amps and under 10 amps being used, as I run at 20 AMP setting. Can't imagine 2 amps being effective in less than 3 days... JMO.. :)

The charger has a 2A, 6A, and 10A setting. I have been running on the 10A setting. With the light and this no 3 skillet, the Guage on the charger reads between 9 and 11 amps. I do realize that gauges on the charger are a gross estimation. That skillet was taken out and scrubbed twice and it was in the tank for a total of about 90 minutes.

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2016, 09:14:11 AM »

Patience is the key...90 minutes is not long enough.

Put it in and let it run for 'hours'.... :)

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2016, 09:31:07 AM »

That's what tonight is for. Lol

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2016, 07:57:57 PM »

Got my buddy's little number 3 all cleaned up. It's getting a coating of PAM right now. The bottom has definitely sustained a little damage from the rust, but it is definitely fit for use. It's a little rough and tough to read the writing on the left side. The inside is pretty good though. I think he'll be happy. I can't wait to drop in my Griswold no 3 tomorrow night.

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2016, 09:57:47 PM »

That one is a Newer Wagner. :)

Beware those black spots, as they may very well harbor 'bad' red rust under the top layers of converted rust. :)

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2016, 06:34:39 AM »

The black spots inside are water from washing it. I didn't get it completely dry before picture time. :) The little black spots on the handle are pits in the casting.

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2016, 08:10:51 AM »

Well.. pulled this piece out of the oven this morning after the first round of seasoning. Not sure if you can see or not, but there seems to be a bit of red color to it. Did I jump the gun a bit on pulling from electro? If so, it'll go back in tonight.

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2016, 07:49:11 PM »

Well, I started having issues with my auto charger, battery, and light setup. I found an older Schumacher charger and was able to pick it up for $25. I had the pans sitting in the solution for about a day and a half and when I set it back up with the new charger I noticed this marking on my #3. What's up with this?

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2016, 10:20:24 PM »

Most likely an air pocket formed... ughh. May not be removable.

I never let a piece submerged in the solution without current running.

Asking for trouble, with uncontrolled electron exchange a real possibility.

Manual chargers are the only way to go. :)

Been there, attempted that. :)

I also recommend strongly, that no exposed copper be submerged in the solution.

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2016, 10:24:45 PM »

The Schumacher is manual. It is much nicer using that then the other setup. I don't think it was an air pocket since that was on the top of the bottom side. I don't believe air could have been trapped there. I scrubbed it earlier after a bit and it lightened up. It will get a few hours tomorrow night and I will check it again. Thanks for the info. :)

Tommy Harris · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2016, 07:16:02 AM »

I didn't mean to sound argumentative saying I don't think it's an air bubble. I just don't see how it could be. Do they get trapped under the debris that rests on there. Luckily I have another #3 on the way this week or next if it is stained. Of course, if it is stained, it will be a perfect gift for my brother who I am trying to get into cast iron. :) I assume it won't affect function, just appearance. Right? Thanks again. :)

Cheryl Watson · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2016, 08:54:09 AM »

I was looking at the line on the skillet cook surface, at the top, close to the handle. Not sure about the black marks at the bottom. :)

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Author Topic: Electrolysis setup with automatic charger (Read 10262 times)