The slits is for faster gas production and it also helps keep the water cool, normaly i take the alternator and remove the cap inside the alternator and regulator, i then hook it directly to the fuel cell and pulse the rotor.
so, take the aternator and remove the cap, hook it to fuel cell and pulse at 3k rpm's. there is lots of pictures on this forum as well.
sorry for the lack of time i have today.