Building your own Electrolysis Cleaner

Based on an article by Bob Zito

The TTHN is not responsible for any damaged caused by this article

You are looking for a cheap method to have your coins/relics cleaned from rust or other polutions? Then you should consider using the electrolysis cleaner.

The advantages:

  • Cheap method
  • Clean items up to the seize of a cannon
  • Fast cleaning-process
  • Clean, non smelly method

Parts needed
  • Calcium Carbonat
  • Power Supply
  • Differnt Steel Plates
  • Different Baskets (Plastic)
  • Different Gratting-Baskets (Plastic)
  • 2 Alligator Clips
  • Distilled Water
  • Wire (isolated)

Assembly

Electolysis Cleaner
Connect your finding to the Cathode (-) and the steel plate to the Annode (+) using the alligator clips.

Put the steel plate firts, the gratting basket next and your finding last into a basket, that's just big enough to fit your finding.

Note: Best use different steel plates and baskets, just corresponding to your finding's size. This will result in better and faster cleaning.

Prepare a solution like following: Add in a ratio of 48:1 (water to calcium carbonate) PH-11 would be ideal

Now fill the basket with the liquid just till your finding is covered.

Use of the Electrolysis Cleaner

Now it's time to turn on the constant current power supply, with current limit or circuit breaker/fuse protection on the DC secondary if available. 6-12 VDC will be fine for the electrolyte, 15-25 VDC may be necessary for the rinse.

Adjust the current down to the point the fizzing slows down and then bring it up high enough to do the job. Any higher would just take metal away from the finding. You should not try to go over 2 Amperes and try to stay under 1 Ampere, for small objects such as coins. However the Ampere ratting depends on your object's size.

Attention: Never use over 30 VDC. This would result in a shock hazard. Make sure to always use a transformer-isolated type power supply.

When done, you must rinse out the finding in clean distilled water then youare to put new distilled water in a clean bowl and use a fresh Anode (+) Electrode and do it again without the Electrolyte (Calcium Carbonate). This step is essential to remove all traces of the electrolyte from the finding.You will have to turn the voltage up higher on your power supply just to get a little fizzing. This is normal as distilled water is not a great conductor. After adjusted for slight fizzing, you can let it sit for 7-12 hours (under supervision checks).

Hints
  • Protect your eyes and skin as the solution is caustic
  • Be careful your are dealing with electrical voltage
  • Use good ventilation as this process may produce fumes
  • Practice first on e.g corroded Quarters or other things that are not that are not valuable
  • Never leave a finding alone with this method but have it often checked
  • More than one one finding can be done at a time but you musn't use the same solution with findingsof different metals.
  • Try to put as little of the wire, alligator clip or other different metal in the solution as possible.
  • Use something to fix the distance RELIABLY between the Anode(+) and Cathode(-) or finding to be cleaned.