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Separate Hydrogen and Oxygen from Water Through Electrolysis

by hooloovoo33 on August 24, 2007

Table of Contents

intro: Separate Hydrogen and Oxygen from Water Through Electrolysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: Electrolysis of Water - An Explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 2: Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 3: Water and Salt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 4: The Tricky Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 5: The Electrodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 6: Thats it! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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step 7: Further Ideas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

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intro: Separate Hydrogen and Oxygen from Water Through Electrolysis
Electrolysis a method of separating elements by pushing an electric current through a compound. It is used in various industrial applications such as removing copper
from its ore. It is also used to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water. Electrolysis isn't the most efficient way to obtain hydrogen, but it is one of the easiest and
cheapest ways to "homebrew" hydrogen.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. With the "green-energy" craze and talk of powering our future oil-free economy on hydrogen, it has gotten much
attention in the last few years. Learning about this potential fuel of the future is important and interesting. Besides, hydrogen is a powerful fuel, and blowing stuff up in the
name of science is fun .

Image Notes
1. Twice as much hydrogen as oxygen

step 1: Electrolysis of Water - An Explanation

This section is an explanation of the electrolysis of water, feel free to skip it if you don't find it interesting.

2H2O(l) = 2H2(g) + O2(g)

As everyone knows a water molecule is formed by two elements: two positive Hydrogen ions and one negative Oxygen ion. The water molecule is held together by the
electromagnetic attraction between these ions. When electricity is introduced to water through two electrodes, a cathode (negative) and an anode (positive), these ions
are attracted to the opposite charged electrode. Therefore the positively charged hydrogen ions will collect on the cathode and the negatively charged oxygen will collect
on the anode.

When these ions come into contact with their respective electrodes they either gain or lose electrons depending on there ionic charge. (In this case the hydrogen gains
electrons and the oxygen loses them) In doing so these ions balance their charges, and become real, electrically balanced, bona fide atoms (or in the case of the
hydrogen, a molecule).

The reason this system isn't very efficient is because some of the electrical energy is converted into heat during the process. There have been reports of 50%-70%
efficiency, but I doubt that is possible in a home environment. Anyway, enough with the boring stuff, lets go make some gas!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
 Image Notes
1. Twice as much hydrogen as oxygen

step 2: Materials
****DISCLAIMER**** You are putting electricity into water. It has the potential to be dangerous. Do so at your own risk. Be smart about it. If you wouldn't touch it with your
hands don't stick it in the water. If you're worried about it wearing rubber gloves will give some extra insulation. ****DISCLAIMER****

****DISCLAIMER**** Hydrogen is highly flammable and explosive (think Hindenburg). The amount we're making isn't extremely dangerous, but be careful. Flying shards
of glass are never fun.****DISCLAIMER****

Separating Hydrogen and oxygen from water is really simple. It can be as easy as sticking two wires leading from a battery into water and watching the bubbles form. We
however want to collect all the little bubbles, so its just slightly more complicated.

Things you will need:

@ (1) Med.Container - To hold water. Preferably clear so you can see whats going on.
@ (1 or 2) Gas Collecting Containers - A test tube, or an old soda bottle like me. Also clear. 2 if you want to collect both the hydrogen and the oxygen
@ (1) Power Source - I use a 12v 1000mA adapter, 9v batteries (in a series) and other sources work too. Bigger the power source, faster the bubbles form.
@ (2) Graphite Electrodes - Optional. You can stick a bare wire into the water, but it corrodes pretty quick. You can pull them out of a 6v Lantern Battery
@ Salt
@ Water

Image Notes
1. Power Source
2. Standard Table Salt
3. Collector - I'm having trouble finding my other one......
4. Tap Water
5. Wire - My electrodes, I don't have any graphite.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
step 3: Water and Salt
Water alone is not a very good conductor. You need to add some sort of electrolyte. Regular old table salt works fine. Add as much as will dissolve into the water, and
don't worry about it if there is some sitting on the bottom, it really doesn't matter. Pour this salt/water solution into your med. container, and also fill your 1 or 2 gas
collecting containers

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Salt 'n Water 1. Gas Container (ignore the gap up top)
2. My Med. container

step 4: The Tricky Part

Ok, this is the tricky part. You need to flip the gas collecting container(s) upside down in the med. container, so that no air is trapped in the gas container(s). I do it by
holding my thumb over the hole, and flip it really quickly. Its not a huge deal if air is trapped, your hydrogen just won't be pure.

Image Notes
1. Gas container into the water.....

step 5: The Electrodes

Now take the two electrodes leading from your power source. The hydrogen will form on the positive electrode, and the oxygen on the negative. If you don't know which is
which, turn on the power source and stick the electrodes in the water. The one with more bubbles is the hydrogen. Now stick the electrode underneath the gas collecting
container. (turn off the power first) If you're having trouble making the gas collecting container stay up, and the electrode stay in the right place, tape it. Thats what I do
anyway.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
 Image Notes
1. Positive electrode (hydrogen) inside gas collecting container

step 6: Thats it!

Thats it! Turn it on, and watch it bubble. The amount of time it takes depends on how powerful your power source is. Stronger it is, faster it bubbles. Mine takes about 5
min for a test tube.

The electrodes do corrode if you don't have graphite, its pretty gross, but i don't think its dangerous. (don't quote me)

Here is a video of it bubbling:

Video

http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
 step 7: Further Ideas
When your gas collecting container is full, try lighting it. The hydrogen will give a very satisfying *POP*, and the oxygen won't do anything.

Here's a Video (sorry for not wearing a shirt =0 ):

Video

Notes:

For a bigger and better explosion, put both electrodes into the gas collecting container. Hydrogen needs oxygen to burn, and the ratio of 2:1 is the best ratio. That is what
we get when splitting water. You will get a much more powerful explosion.

I've personally always wanted to make a model rocket powered on hydrogen. I know that there is one that is sold on the market, but I don't remember what its called. I'll
look for it.

T3Hprogrammer and Kiteman suggest using baking soda rather than salt as an electrolyte. Table Salt (NaCL) has the potential of producing chlorine gas and sodium
hydroxide when introduced to electricity.

JakeTobak suggests using platinum electrodes instead of graphite as graphite will chip, splinter, and corrode. They're as cheap as a couple dollars, and can be found on
Ebay (thanks Kiteman)

Further Reading:

@ Homemade Hydrogen by Theodore Grey http://www.theodoregray.com/PeriodicTable/Stories/001.1/

@ Fuel from Water: Energy Independence with Hydrogen by Michael A. Peavey via Amazon.com
@ Water Car - How to Turn Water Into Hydrogen Fuel via Amazon.com

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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 433 comments

K-BUB says: Apr 23, 2009. 1:42 PM REPLY

This is really cool, I wanna try it myself now!

soyers says: Sep 14, 2008. 11:19 PM REPLY

But your diagram shows the opposit,whith one is correct?

hyrulianshinobi333 says: Apr 22, 2009. 7:40 PM REPLY

cathode is negative and makes hydrogen, the diagram is wrong

http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
 Highjump44 says: Apr 12, 2009. 9:05 AM REPLY
You got the positive and negative mixed up the negative produces Hydrogen and the Positive make oxygen there are many sites and books to back me up
heres one
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis_of_water

nickk says: Apr 13, 2009. 1:35 PM REPLY

Yes i agree with Highjump44 :
Positive = Oxygen
Negative = Hydrogen

eyebot117 says: Apr 12, 2009. 4:30 PM REPLY

I'm curious... Could one of these electrolysis units be made and connected to some sort of dynamo/genorator to produce hydrogen and oxygen?

shadowman2 says: Mar 29, 2009. 4:38 AM REPLY

You should be worried about chlorine gas coming off:
2NaCl + 2H2O= Cl2 + H2 + NaOH, Sodium hydroxide is preety nasty to.
You can avoid this by heating up the salt/water solution, you get Sodium chlorate instead of Sodium hydroxide with Chlorine:
NaCl + 3H2O = NaClO3 + 3H2
p.s NaClO3 is good for making smoke grenades (add sugar).

Rednecker52 says: Apr 2, 2009. 6:41 AM REPLY

how hot do i need to get the water to produce NaClO3? I make smoke grenades and need to know how much of this chemical this produces and in what
state to make smoke grenades.

shadowman2 says: Apr 5, 2009. 10:11 AM REPLY

It doesn't make much, but if you can get a big tank with a graphite electrode, I think you can get it. the water needs to be 60-80 degrees C. The
electrodes must be low in the water, so you make the most of it.
You must filter it from the water, and dry it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naclo3
Ivan, from Russia.
p.s watch out for the chlorine gas, after all, it was used to kill people in WW1

Rednecker52 says: Apr 5, 2009. 4:15 PM REPLY

lol yeah dont wanna be gasin the neighbors.

iSkilled says: Mar 11, 2009. 3:55 PM REPLY

Another question *puts forth an embarrassed smile.*

What can I use that I can find AROUND THE HOUSE to create the power? I need to have it able to do it in less than five minutes. Anyone?

evilfrogie says: Apr 2, 2009. 3:36 AM REPLY

Lot's of 9v batteries in series maybe.

pjpj says: Mar 7, 2009. 2:04 AM REPLY

1.light a match
2.blow it out
3. hold it in the oxygen right after you blew it out

The match will start burning again. =+)

ReCreate says: Mar 17, 2009. 7:14 PM REPLY

why?
Does it have an overdose of oxygen?
Making it burn again from the heat and everything?

PKM says: Mar 19, 2009. 9:41 AM REPLY

Pretty much- the heat of the smouldering match in a pure oxygen atmosphere is enough to set it on fire again.

Actually matches aren't great for this as they are chemically treated to stop them smouldering- a thin splinter of dry wood is much better.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
 ReCreate says: Mar 19, 2009. 10:54 AM REPLY
Ok then...

lampie says: Mar 19, 2009. 3:00 AM REPLY

I've got no comment, I actually just want some advise. If I want to use the Hydrogen for instance to supply power to a fan, how would you conduct it to the
fan, preferably without losing any Hydrogen to the surrounding air?

littlesamurai says: Mar 15, 2009. 1:55 PM REPLY

would this be useable in a home-made oxygen concentrator , for like a cheap homemade oxygen bar? or woudl there be a danger of the electrodes making
dangerous compounds, or does the machine not produce much oxygen in any decent quantity?

zolar1 says: Jul 6, 2008. 7:14 PM REPLY

Here is something that might be useful for everyone. It talks about Electrical Conductivity of various materials.

Tonight I took a piece of 1" copper pipe and flattened it into a 2" x 4" plate. I used that for the negative electrode and stainless steel for the positive electrode
sice copper disintegrates if you use it as a positive electrode.

Amp draw was MUCH higher than for stainless steel alone and production seemed a lot higher too.

The 2 plates in a solution of Lye and distilled water yielded almost 30 amps. Plate spacing was about 1/16" (roughly).

If you decide to try the copper, please post your findings here for everyone's benefit.

syncdram says: Jul 11, 2008. 10:10 AM REPLY

The reason for such high amperge is due to such a small plate surface area and your voltage per plate gap. With a cell design say +nnn-nnn+ what you
need to do is achieve 1.50 to 2.0 volts per plate gap. Anything over this voltage per plate gap creates wasted energy and heat. Thus your high amperage
with only 2 plates. +-. Also increase your plate gap to 1/8th if your not going to use nuetral plates. 1/16th is to close for a straight series cell. Your
amperage will be through the rough and thermal runaway will accure within minutes. The simplest cell that i have in my lab is a 18 plate cell with 11
nuetral plates running on 12v at 10 amps producing cold 1.6 lpm. And this cell is made from wall plates. Hope this helps.

Elgin4 says: Mar 12, 2009. 12:47 AM REPLY

what are neutral plates? What exactly do they do?

zolar1 says: Mar 12, 2009. 6:51 AM REPLY

Neutral plates are just that: neutral. They are not connected to any direct source of power.
They act like resistors and also give more surface area to make the hydroxy.
If you simply used 12V across 2 plates (electrodes), the current would heat the water up to boiling, thus not making Hydroxy.

Neutral plate (4 to 6 are best) cuts down the amps and you make more hydroxy and less steam.

zolar1 says: Jul 11, 2008. 11:07 AM REPLY

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, it's hard to fit big plates inside a small PVC pipe. My aim was to get as many inside the pipe as I could.
If I could have done it, I would have used 2"x6" plates. I might be able to fit 15 plates inside the pipe, but that will require very close plate spacing and
a really tight fit.

Any suggestions? I am looking for a ratio of 1L/min/L of engine size or roughly 2L/min on my wife's car. 3+ L/min on my dad's S-10.

syncdram says: Jul 12, 2008. 3:06 PM REPLY

The plate config i noted above in a well sealed (air tight) container will produce 1lpm easy. at 25 amps with a spacing of 1/8th and will fit in a 4
inch pvc container.

Key note is to have a (good air tight container). Any place other than the outlet tube of your electrolyzer tank is a huge loss in gas output. This is
almost always over looked when testing for out put.

A cell that can produce 1lpm with just the microscopic escape rout to find will cut down your flow rate substantially. You may then think the cell
itself is the problem.

The goals you have set for yourself are very high for automotive use. To achieve 2 and 3 lpm would require amperage from your cars alternator
that would surely pull hard on those alternators. 40 and above. Not to say you can't do it. Just unrealistic for automotive use.

1lpm will be fine, and the goal should be to find less energy input and have more output. No more than 25 to 30 amps max for automotive. And
use 10 gage wire.

I run these levels in my lab for torches ect at the rates you are looking for. The wire and hardware such as switches and relay and fuse protection
to run safely accounting for high heat temps from the water ect would have to be larger than 10 gage to handle the amperage. If not your wires
and switches will become very hot and may fail.

So i hope this helps and has given some insight.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
 placidus52 says: Mar 10, 2009. 5:48 PM REPLY
for the best explosion use a bigger test tube and fill it with water and then place it over the two electrodes the two full test tubes together will create a 2:1
combination. 2 parts hydrogen one part oxygen, caution do not use glass

iSkilled says: Feb 26, 2009. 3:22 PM REPLY

Hello again everyone.

I have a battery charger that goes in an outlet. It has a positive and negative thingamajigger, so would I be able to use that (easily) instead of batteries?

pyroelfears says: Mar 2, 2009. 9:32 AM REPLY

you can use any transformer or power source. like a cellphone charger

czenob says: Feb 21, 2009. 5:21 PM REPLY

UMMM in cars they don't use hydrogen to burn they put it into fuel cells to produce electricity with the opposite of electrolysis

zolar1 says: Jun 12, 2008. 8:26 PM REPLY

It seems people have some misconceptions about HHO.

The use of HHO isn't intended to replace fossil fuels. It merely increases the efficiency of the burn and itself does burn.

The use of HHO in vehicles has been proven to increase MPG. The energy used to create HHO is from existing energy that is wasted. Your exhaust is
cooler (hint).

HHO burns cooler than fossil fuels. It's great to reduce NOx emissions.

There are many things needed to successfully double your MPG. And a PWM isn't necessarily one of them.

You will need, however, a method of fooling the vehicle's computer into thinking that it is running rich, instead of lean.

And if you use too much HHO without adjusting the timing (which I haven't heard of anyone doing this on a computer), you get severe flashback and the unit
can explode with great force.

If you use too much HHO and you have bad valves (i.e. sticking, burnt, etc), flashback can occur.

I have been able to increase my wife's MPG from 31 to between 42-45 on a level highway @ 65MPG (cruise on).

Also, a HHO generator does make some steam, which both cleans your induction system, exhaust system, and increases HP by making the mix in the
cylinder more dense.

If anyone knows a way for me to adjust the timing on a ODB II computer, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE contact me. The dealer says they can't do it.

I need to set timing to no more than zero degrees (TDC), and preferably turn off the advance.

If I could accomplish this, I could, in theory, get 200MPG or more.

Note: I did notice that the spark plugs looked a tiny bit rusty....LOL

To all the skeptics here: why not try a system for yourself? Personal experience can show that it does work. Even if you only got one extra MPG, you would
benefit. Generally, most people get from between 15% and 50% extra MPG with a unit alone. No electronics, just simply putting on a unit and hooking it up.
If you don't get an MPG increase, you DEFINITELY will feel the extra power.

I put one of my prototypes on a friends 2001 F150. The tires bark when shifting from 1st to second. Ummm, did I mention that is an automatic transmission?
He only got 3 extra MPG. That doesn't seem like much, but when you go from 15 to 18MPG, how much of a % increase is that?

Another item regarding HHO generators. They produce the most HHO when the cell is approximately 150 deg F. That usually takes about an hour of
operation. Once you get above 160 or so, you get more steam than HHO.

The only problem I can see if you have the HHO working properly in an ICE, is that you would have to replace your rusty exhaust more frequently.

A final note: did you know that you can weld a 16p nail to a rock if you use HHO? Or that you can fuse rubies together? Or weld copper to stainless?

BTW, thanks for the tip regarding the use of Magnesium Sulphate. I will give that a try here soon.

zolar1 says: Oct 2, 2008. 5:34 PM REPLY

Update: Hydroxy burns HOTTER than gasoline.

If you use a water vapor injection system alongside your Hydroxy unit, you can keep temperatures under control.

About timing settings: you need -12deg at idle and max advance of -3deg, with NO waste spark!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
 El Mano says: Feb 13, 2009. 3:21 PM REPLY
What is hydroxy?

bylerfamily says: Feb 14, 2009. 3:43 AM REPLY

Hydrogen and oxygen mixed.

El Mano says: Feb 15, 2009. 10:06 AM REPLY

Is hydroxy stable until lit, or will it combust randomly?

zolar1 says: Feb 15, 2009. 2:22 PM REPLY

Well, I haven't read anywhere that it combusts on it's own, but personally I wouldn't recommend storing Hydroxy.
One spark or possibly high temperatures, and BANG!

The comment about Hydrogen and Chlorine isn't exactly right.

Hydrogen Chloride is made if you use salt water. Inside your house, it's fairly stable much of the time. But ANY significant source of UV
radiation (e.g.sunlight) and it explodes with great force.

bylerfamily says: Feb 15, 2009. 12:57 PM REPLY

If it is hydrogen and chlorine mixed then it will combust randomly.But hydrogen and oxygen are stable till you light a match...BOOM!

zolar1 says: Feb 15, 2009. 2:25 PM REPLY

The introduction of Hydrogen Chloride into an engine can be a good thing, under the right circumstances. It is a bit more powerful than
Hydroxy, and even better when mixed with Hydroxy.

El Mano says: Feb 16, 2009. 9:42 PM REPLY

Though I'm not exactly sure how chlorine snuck into this conversation, I'm getting the impression that hydrogen and chlorine are
not a nice mixture. If I were to set up an electrolysis system in a water-bottle using salt water, it would produce hydrogen, oxygen,
and chlorine. If I were to glue a second bottle to the top of the first one, it would collect said gases. When all three of these gases
are together in the bottle, will they react, and if so, how violently? You said that hydrogen chloride will burn hotter than hydroxy. If it
won't form when hydrogen and chlorine are confined together, how would I set about making it?

zolar1 says: Feb 17, 2009. 3:25 PM REPLY

Sorry, but I am a bit rusty with basic chemistry. I believe the hydrogen will combine with the chlorine from the salt water.
Another byproduct should be sodium hydroxide.
You should go to wikipedia and search for hydrogen chloride.

adilson737 says: Jun 22, 2008. 4:59 PM REPLY

Maybe you know this, but there are some forums that cover such aspects as "timing".
Try watercar and/or hidroxy in yahoo groups.

zolar1 says: Jun 22, 2008. 5:45 PM REPLY

I cannot join any of those 2 groups as they are violating the US Constitution, 1st Amendment, and would immediately ban me upon my 1st post.
Do you have any other place that would allow me to find the information that doesn't violate the Constitution?

tanntraad says: Oct 23, 2008. 3:07 PM REPLY

...Sometimes, it's great to live in a really fre country (Norway)

dylly says: Jun 17, 2008. 10:55 AM REPLY

I'm just wondering what your ratio of water to whatever you're combining to make your electrolyte is? and what it is that you use? being that NaOH isn't
the smartest alternative as you mentioned on the 13th. Also what makes the best anode and cathode? aluminum? stainless? ... Other?

zolar1 says: Jun 22, 2008. 5:21 PM REPLY

So far, stainless steel seems like the best choice for electrodes.

I use about a quart of distilled water and about 1 teaspoonful of baking soda to make the electrolyte. The amount of baking soda depends on the
amount of water you use and the plate spacing & plate arrangement.

You might want to use a DC ammeter and slowly put the baking soda in the water until you reach 1/3 of the maximum amps you intend to use.

As the water heats up, the amps can double or triple. My dad melted his unit by not keeping enough water in it.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/
 El Mano says: Mar 7, 2009. 6:40 PM REPLY
For some reason, I can't find the comment you made about my question below, so I'll reply here. I was using simple pencil graphite I tore from a
#2 pencil. I found some rods of a metal I that think is steel; I ran it with baking soda as my electrolyte for about two hours, and it doesn't appear to
have been corroded. As for amps, I have no idea how many are running through the water. I'm using about 7.5 volts which I'm getting from an old
cell phone charger plugged into a wall.

zolar1 says: Mar 7, 2009. 7:14 PM REPLY

Hmmm seems you are just playing with Hydroxy. Fair enuff. I did too in the beginning.

The soft #2 lead pencils have soft graphite. And the 'electrodes' you use are quite small.

Try using some plain old steel bolts and a car battery charger for experimenting. It's MUCH cheaper in the beginning.

El Mano says: Mar 7, 2009. 10:36 AM REPLY

Will the stainless steel electrodes rust? I tried using graphite, but the negative electrode looked like it had melted after a few hours.

zolar1 says: Mar 7, 2009. 4:35 PM REPLY

Even Stainless Steel will erode when using any kind of electrolyte.

You might have been using the wrong kind of graphite.

I think there are several kinds.

Have you tried using a different electrolyte? Or not running as many amps?

zolar1 says: Jun 13, 2008. 10:46 AM REPLY

OOPS! It's not 65MPG it's 65MPH.

I forgot something...

If you use Sodium Hydroxide as the electrolyte, and if any of it is sucked into your engine, it will cause the aluminum parts to disintegrate (making
hydrogen too).

Heads and other aluminum parts are quite expensive to replace just for the sake of saving a few$ on fuel.

Stick with something other than Sodium Hydroxide.

Did you know that Apple Juice works too? Or Wine? Or Vinegar?
Even Urine will work if you are desperate.....

zolar1 says: Jun 14, 2008. 9:00 PM REPLY

It sure does take a LOT of Magnesium Sulfide to get the amps I want. And it seems that the solution leaves some kind of crystals on one of the
electrodes.
Also, it makes the stainless leech ferrous out like crazy. Seems that this electrolyte works but appears to shorten the lifespan of the electrodes.

I wonder if I used a copper wire to initially turn the water green (slightly) and then go back to stainless.

Would the green copper solution make the water more conductive?

Any chemists out there?

bylerfamily says: Feb 14, 2009. 3:45 AM REPLY

You would end up having sodium mixed with sodium hydroxide.That would make the water more conductive.

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http://www.instructables.com/id/Separate-Hydrogen-and-Oxygen-from-Water-Through-El/