Restoration Tip: Electrolysis Derusting

[jack neville]

I've had mine operating from a large wheely bin for three years or so now Tony. Still using the original kilo of soda, just topping up the water as it evaporates. I now use a cheap 240/12 volt converter purchased from eBay to power it. I have about six inches of sludge in the bottom from accumulated rust, paint, grease and everything else that has floated off all my rusty steel over that time.
I still use my local Sandblasters for heavier stuff as the end result is much better for paint adherence but for lighter stuff this is the best method and fastest.

[Private_collector]

Jack, a couple of questions, if I may.

Are you using solar or inverting AC back to DC?

If solar, what strength panel do you use?

Thanks,

[Paul Dutton]

Keep us posted, very interested in this solar panel method. Got fair bit of big stuff to do in an IBC (1000 litre Industrial Bulk Container)

[jack neville]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Jack, a couple of questions, if I may.

Are you using solar or inverting AC back to DC?

If solar, what strength panel do you use?

Plugged into AC Tony

[Private_collector]

Finally located the solar (spot the trend) operated exhaust fan I have had for a year or so.
It will be attached to the lid of my electrolysis bath, so I don't do a Hindenberg with any hydorgen buildup!

[Private_collector]

Well, what an ordinary day!

The plastic tank I intend to setup for my electrolysis project got dragged to it's permanent location, and I washed out the inside. Then I started filling it. The bloody thing leaks! Isn't that just typical? Previous owner put about a cubic metre of Silastic sealer in the outlet tap, because he (and for that matter, I) didn't need to use the tap, and wanted it sealed off. That was years ago now, and neither of us had really thought about how future years of exposure to the sun would break the sealer down!!!!!

Regardless of the slow leak, I was determined to do a test piece, so cut a round hole in the lid, and attached the small solar powered extractor system.

I wanted to watch the cleaning process, so kept the lid off at that stage.

Solar panel pointed to sun, I attached the battery charger/regulator.

I've been slowly acquiring all the correct connections that need to be used with Photo Voltaic panels exposed to the elements, just like the professionals use.

I decided to use one end of a pair of auto jump leads as the clamps that hold the parts to be cleaned and the sacrificial anode. The gold connectors you can see above, are just fancy looking auto battery terminals. I chose those because they have the ability to connect 4x seperate wires to each of them, all being held in place by individual hex head grub screws. That is a property which may be useful in future, if I want to add anything directly from the battery. The charger/regulator takes power from the panel to storage battery (not yet got), but also has power out leads that allow direct connection of load items. In my case, that means the battery clamps holding metals in the tank, but it could be used for anything really, including lighting. The load out wires can draw current from the PV panel during daylight charging time, and drains off battery once charging voltage drops down below the amount needed. Quite clever, isn't it? Well, it would be, IF IT BLOODY WELL WORKED!!! I connected everything up, correctly, and hey presto......NOTHING. Filthy swine of a thing. I eventually trouble shot back to find it is the charger/regulator that isn't working. Typical chinese CRAP! What a damn let down.

The only bright spark of the day, literally, was when i connected the battery clamp wires directly to the PV current output wires, to check where the problem lay. When I lightly struck the two clamps together, fireworks! Plenty of current flow. The solar panel is working, alright. Nothing wrong with that. With the clamps still running current straight off the panel, I chose a suitably rusty test piece x2 and suspended them in the water, on the off chance I may not need the charger that doesn't work. I can honestly say it was spectacularly unremarkable. Yes, the sun was about 45 degrees from the vertical, but so was the panel. The same current that would have blown holes in my clamps, didn't produce anything more impressive than a few small bubbles. I had even added a suitable amount of washing soda. The PV panel may have250w, but does it have sufficient amperes for the job? I doubt it. As it turns out, I certainly DO need a suitable deep cycle storage battery.........oh, and a working charger would be nice too!

Now off to send a terse email to a chinaman who flogs dodgey electronics equipment on ebay.

[jack neville]

Cheap 240/12 volt AC converter. About $25 on eBay.

Nooo worries.!!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Web page with useful information, if not already mentioned here:

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/andyspatch/rust.htm#top

[maple_leaf_eh]

I bought a single bit forged axe head with an eye for a round handle and no striking surface on the rear. It reminds me of a Medieval or Viking fighting axe.

So, into a shallow pan and poured in the white table vinegar. Moved it around a few times and turned it over, but in the liquid no more than a week.

Upon removal and scrubbing with a green scratchy pad, I was quite pleased except where the steel grain seems to have been lifted. Imagine looking at side grain of a board that has been sandblasted. Not happy with the steel quality there. But I will give it more polishing and put the handle on.

So, folks the cautionary tale is do not leave your steel immersed in baths for very long. The acids will do unexpected things.

[Matthew P]

Yes vinegar or other acids will continue until neutralized. When using vinegar I only do overnight. But with the electrolysis process I've left parts for a week with no ill effects.

Matt

[Dave Schindel]

I've used vinegar as well but only for 3 days max. worked well.