it's not my design (i've seen it on the web for sale as a HHO boost can), but at least i have a cell now to get things started with!
now i need to get this cell under pressure (cap it off) & metered (regulate output through a bubbler) - then it's off to the FBT (aka VIC) research... keep you posted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVq0FOhcNGo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVq0FOhcNGo)
parts list (Lowes - long island, NY):
ITEM | QTY | $ | 4" x 2' PVC Schedule 40 (220 PSI @ 23 C) | 1 | $4.97 | 4" PVC female threaded adapter | 1 | $4.23 | 4" PVC flush cleanout plug | 1 | $2.83 | 4oz. Oatey All purpose cement | 1 | $3.24 | 4oz. Oatey Purple Primer (optional) | 1 | $2.52 | 20 pk. Ideal terminal asst. (22-16 ga) | 1 | $3.46 | Cooper 304 SS single gang blank wall plate | 4 | $1.29 | Hillman 6-32 x 1" Nylon flat head machine screw (2 pk) | 1 | $0.56 | Hillman 6-32 Nylon hex nut (4 pk) | 2 | $0.68 | Hillman #6 Nylon flat washer (4 pk) | 1 | $0.56 | Total | | $28.89 |
304 SS 4 plate "open top" cell - $29
lighting hydrogen for the first time - priceless
I was so excited to have a cell, i ran it through straight electrolysis moments after building it. here were the parameters (5/19/2008):
* power source = 12VDC @ 560 CCA (Ford F150 battery) - multimeter measured 14.13 VDC, but could not obtain a Amp reading b/c meter is only rated to 10A.
* water bath = Long Island well water (known to not contain Floride)
* truck was running to keep recharging battery
* battery <-> jumper cables (6 ga if i remember correctly) <-> cell's 14 ga romex leads (one each)
* cell was only 2 plates (+/-) config - it became a 4 plate cell (today 5.20.2008)
I ran the cell for 30+ min. the water temp at the start was the same as the air temp 19 C. It seemed strange to me that the water did not heat up (i expected it to) as this was bruteforce electrolysis (no electronics). I even checked my temperature probe (from multimeter) using my mouth twice to ensure the thermometer was working. it was. as soon as i put the probe back in the water it returned to 19 C. It was fairly windy and i'm sure the PVC absorbed some of the water's temp. I did not measure the temp directly out of the hose - so i am thinking the fast moving air and PVC were able to keep the cell from heating up beyond the air temp.
I experienced milky white bubbles (less than 1mm in dia). Every now and then i'd get a 1/8 or 1/4" bubble - which resulted in a louder pop from my aim 'n flame. otherwise it was just a crackling.
the only other thing worthy of note to me was that the water (except for the bubbles) did not get murky or contaminated. the cloudiness caused by the HHO formation would cease within seconds of removing either terminal at the jumper cable's jaws.
*** yesterday the cell was 2 plates, today it is the 4 you see in the video. I intended to shoot a video today of the electrolysis, but it was raining all day. I'll post a video of the cell running under the above conditions as soon as it stops raining here. i know that'll be nothing great (straight electrolysis - no elec) but i'll at least re-confirm what i saw yesterday. |