Electrical Question

[Lead Head]

I had a 25ma 10kv oil-furnace ignition transformer up until these past few months, when one day I went to pull it out, and it didn't output any power :-/

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by Lead Head

I had a 25ma 10kv oil-furnace ignition transformer up until these past few months, when one day I went to pull it out, and it didn't output any power :-/

Bummer, but you have to admit a Neon Sign transformer is a fun thing. I still have one here somewhere but not the beast that one I had as a kid was.

Ron

[Lead Head]

Ugh, looks like I can't use the stainless, because it would leech chromium into the water, which is toxic. If anyone has any info on how toxic chromium in stainless is, that would be great!

[Reloadron]

Your best bet would be either carbon or graphite rods.

Ron

[Lead Head]

mmm, alright then

[Reloadron]

Here is a quick and dirty real cheap experiment. Get yourself a few #2 pencils. Good old everyday generic pencils. Now sharpen both ends of each pencil. Pencils actually use graphite. Connect an exposed end of each pencil to your power supply. Try a few alligator clips or whatever. Place the pencils in a water solution with a tablespoon of salt in it. Use a non-conductive container. Something as simple as a drinking glass or ceramic cup.

Does the graphite seem to work well?

That is a miniature version of using carbon or graphite rods.

Ron

[Lead Head]

I've done that before, but the problem with those pencils is that they aren't very good at conducting current, very resistive stuff. I think I will be alright with the stainless for the mean time as long as I do the experiment outside, away from animals, or in a well ventilated area.

[Reloadron]

Then just continue to march with the stainless. To really get graphite to work you would need to move to like 3/8" or better rod diameters. Personally I don't think you will get enough chromium to worry about. Just remain cautious.

Ron

[Lead Head]

Just an update:

http://i25.tinypic.com/34t9v10.jpg

Have everything cleaned up a bit (off the kitchen counter and down into the workshop now :-P)

Have everything mounted down to a piece of wood now, and improved the cooling for the transformer and rectifier, and I found a 20 amp fuse as well! Just have to find a suitable container for my electrodes (also in picture)

oh yeah, and I actually grounded the transformer too! XD

[MantaBase]

Originally Posted by Lead Head

Ugh, looks like I can't use the stainless, because it would leech chromium into the water, which is toxic. If anyone has any info on how toxic chromium in stainless is, that would be great!

And Vanadium which will really make you sick and turn your tongue purple.

Hex-Chrome is serious bad. Stainless is not a great metal to play with in this....but is it the anode or cathode?

What exactly are your trying to do? I've run a cell before (Zinc plating pilot plant). 600 Amps...2V - 2 square meter electrodes. You no touchy copper buss bar (we called it the "buzz bar")