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Author Topic: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible  (Read 4327 times)

Offline John Opilla

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Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« on: February 21, 2017, 09:43:37 PM »
Please see pics below and let me know what I should do next.
They have been in the lye tub for over a week.

I have more photos but lost my patience trying to resize them.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2017, 09:45:32 PM by JOpilla »
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2017, 09:46:38 PM »
Second pan
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Offline Russell Ware

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2017, 10:27:39 PM »
John, in order to try to give you some meaningful feedback, we really need more information.
What specifically are the problems you want to resolve? The first photo looks like the square skillet still has rust. Is that the issue? There is no explanation at all for the second photo, and when I try to zoom in, the resolution in photo just isn’t there to see anything specific.
What is the concentration of lye in your lye bath? Can you post a photo of your electrolysis setup? What type of donor metal are you using in the electro, what concentration of what electrolyte are you using in it, and what power source are you using?
The temperature of both the lye bath and electro affect how well they function. There really are many variables in this process.
But if you think your pans look bad, I've had a pan in the lye for a month, and I wish it looked as clean as yours. I'm constantly amazed by how badly some people abuse their cookware.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2017, 10:30:31 PM by abc123 »
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Offline Duke Gilleland

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2017, 05:59:51 AM »
 "I'm constantly amazed by how badly some people abuse their cookware".

I have come to find that "we" are a minority in the world of cast iron and to most folks, cast iron cookware is just that-COOKWARE. This is proven daily when the public buys china made JUNK at high prices. ;D
« Last Edit: February 22, 2017, 06:09:17 AM by DG_TX »
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2017, 06:49:10 PM »
Dave,
My Lye bath has about 4 gal of water and 2lbs of sodium hydroxide.
My bath set up is below.  It works pretty well because when I started both pans had caked on crud.  See below
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2017, 06:50:46 PM »
This is a pic of the pan after electrolysis
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2017, 06:53:15 PM »
This is when I decided to use Lye and I'm not getting any better results.  Should I buy 4 more lbs and dump it in the same bucket.

Oh and by the way, my first pic above that shows some rust, I have not put the pans back in the electrolysis bath
« Last Edit: February 22, 2017, 06:54:13 PM by JOpilla »
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2017, 07:01:40 PM »
I see a few issues...

1.  What type battery charger are you using, and at what Amp output.
2.  Insufficient anode size.  Electrolysis is fairly one dimensional, line of sight.
3.  What is the electolyte? (mixed with the water).
 4.  The entire handle needs to be submerged or it will form a line at the water level which will not be removable.

5.  What 'brand' of lye did you use? and what ratio mix.  :)
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2017, 07:12:02 PM »
Quote
I see a few issues...

1.  What type battery charger are you using, and at what Amp output.
2.  Insufficient anode size.  Electrolysis is fairly one dimensional, line of sight.
3.  What is the electolyte? (mixed with the water).
 4.  The entire handle needs to be submerged or it will form a line at the water level which will not be removable.

5.  What 'brand' of lye did you use? and what ratio mix.  :)

1. Manual 12v 6amp
2. I have two pieces of stainless steel that is pretty think, small I know but its all I have.
3. 1 teaspoon per gallon of water.
4. I know about the line issue and have since had it submerged.
This is an older pic.  I use a coat hanger to hang the pan all the way in the water now.
5.  I bought the lye from Duda Energy, it's called Red Hot Devil Lye.  99%+-  2 lb bottles
« Last Edit: February 22, 2017, 07:14:29 PM by JOpilla »
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2017, 08:04:46 PM »
Does your desktop charger also have and Auto mode?  If so, it will still reduce current flow, even in Manual mode.  I use a wheeled, totally manual charger for that reason.

The mix for electrolyte is one TABLESPOON per gallon of water of WASHING soda. (not baking soda).  Not sure what you are using.

That is a starting point.  Colder temperatures usually require more.

Later this evening, I'll start a new post that shows my electros... how I started, and where I have ended up over the years. :)
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2017, 08:10:53 PM »
The charger does not have a auto mode.
I'm using Washing soda NOT baking soda.

I might have access to a larger piece of stainless steel to I'll try that.

I just can't understand why there are all the spots in the square pan (griswold, small label)

If I can find a larger charger, do I set it on 40amps, if so thats a big boost from only running at 6amps.  :)
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Offline John Opilla

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2017, 08:19:30 PM »
Maybe I need to purchase this?
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2017, 09:33:21 PM »
Even 10 Amps would be an improvement...
I run at 20.

Unfortunately, they don't make this charger anymore. See below.

I have been shopping for a new one, to have it ready if needed....
Battery charger producers/industry seems to be doing really weird things the past two years....
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Offline Cheryl Watson

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2017, 09:39:48 PM »

Contenders on my List:

http://www.batterychargers.com/se-1520/
http://www.batterychargers.com/dy-1420/

I just keep hoping that Sams Club will renew their contract with Schumacher for the model pictured above.  Doesn't look like it is going to happen  :'( :'(
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Offline Gary Salsman

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Re: Electrolysis, Lye and still horrible
« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2017, 10:33:02 PM »
I do have to Schumacher one Cheryl showed (plus a spare), but I have also used a smaller charger with good results, just takes a little longer. If your 6 amp charger is max 6A, chances are it is overheating and shutting off. Then when it cools, it starts again. Running any charger at max strength will ruin it eventually. I have a 50/10/2, and run it at 2 amps that I used to use for small pans in a 5 gallon bucket. It will work, just have to be patient
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