Electrolysis power supply HOT, HOT, HOT

[Nail Digger]

I put together an electolysis setup a few days ago, using a stainless steel anode and 2 % sodium carbonate electolyte solution (1 part by volume sodium carbonate to 48 parts water). The power supply is an old answering machine transformer rated at 9vdc and 500mA. I've cleaned about a half dozen dug horse harness buckles and silmilar size items that were heavily encrusted. They all took between 2 1/2 and 3 hours to clean up and turned out real nice. One old broken, heavily rusted knife blade even revealed the manufacturer's name, Wm. Greaves & Sons. The only issue is that the power supply gets extremely hot, like hot enough to burn you. Has anyone else had this happen?

 

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[iamwood]

Yes, this often happens, You need to be careful you don't start a fire!!!
Mike

 

[Born2Dtect]

Simply put the transformer got hot because you were using it at a high current for a long time. Try a transformer at a higher current rating 1.0 amp or higher (it will probably be physically lager in size) or use the set up you have in cycles, 15 minutes on 15 minutes off, maybe. Using it till it gets that hot is dangerous, it may catch on fire as stated above. I would make sure not to leave it unattended.

Ed Donovan

 

[cryptodave]

I recommend using something with a little less voltage.

As per Floaters recommendation, I bought a cell phone charger from a thrift store, ripped the connector off the end, and used it. Not as much voltage as yours has, and doesn't seem to get as hot as you indicate yours got.

Oh, and what Ed said.... Never leave it unattended. Unattended= bad.... electric+water=bad.... electric+water+unattended= very very bad!