where can I find lye?

[pj91gsx]

where can I find lye. my friend says that drain cleaner is lye. Anyone know?

[BoyntonStu]

where can I find lye. my friend says that drain cleaner is lye. Anyone know?

Lowes "Roebic" 100% NaOH $7-$8

BoyntonStu

[scubasteve1043]

Yes it is in the form of drain cleaner. I got mine at lowes and its made by roebic in a yellow bottle. It is drain cleaner crystals and it was like $7.50 for a bottle and it will last you a really long time. If you look on the label it even says 100% Lye.

[pj91gsx]

Yes it is in the form of drain cleaner. I got mine at lowes and its made by roebic in a yellow bottle. It is drain cleaner crystals and it was like $7.50 for a bottle and it will last you a really long time. If you look on the label it even says 100% Lye.

ok. well. I wonder if I can pick that up at a building supply I look monday what about wal mart?

[mytoyotasucks]

just remember that NaOH is not lye - KOH is lye -check ebay - potassium hydroxide

[pj91gsx]

just remember that NaOH is not lye - KOH is lye -check ebay - potassium hydroxide

well. from what was said about lye eating aluminum. I should go with NaOH right?

[stroker]

just remember that NaOH is not lye - KOH is lye -check ebay - potassium hydroxide


I have made my own biodiesel with lye. When you mix it with methanol you get sodium methoxide. Lye is NaOH (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lye).

[mytoyotasucks]

I have made my own biodiesel with lye. When you mix it with methanol you get sodium methoxide. Lye is NaOH (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lye).


ok than KOH is potash - its a soap ingredient.

and NaOH will harm u and ur car - dont breath it in and dont let it on ur bare hands - that goes for KPH also.

=read this - this will help - http://hhoforums.com/showthread.php?t=1162

[stroker]

When I made bio diesel I would use a chemical respirator to keep from getting that crap in my lungs. That is some bad stuff (sodium methoxide).

[pj91gsx]

cool. I dont have that stuff on hand so Im going to try baking soda for my first experiment.;)

[donnylynn]

With baking soda your water will be contaminated with rust pretty quickly. I tried it and wished I hadnt. I ended up with 100% lye which I found in the drain cleaner section of Ace Hardware. 1 lb for about 5 dollars.

[pj91gsx]

With baking soda your water will be contaminated with rust pretty quickly. I tried it and wished I hadnt. I ended up with 100% lye which I found in the drain cleaner section of Ace Hardware. 1 lb for about 5 dollars.

but its stainless steel. will it still rust?

[donnylynn]

see the attached pix for what happened to my cell with baking soda.
the plates are 316 stainless.

[pj91gsx]

see the attached pix for what happened to my cell with baking soda.
the plates are 316 stainless.

oh. did the plates themselves rust?

[donnylynn]

yeah, some. Here is a pix of the electrolyte. I rinsed it out real well then refilled the generator with vinegar and ran it for a few hours and it cleaned it up pretty well.
I have since switched to NaOH (lye). My rust problems went away.
I figure I have put too much work into this to mess it up with baking soda.

[pj91gsx]

yeah, some. Here is a pix of the electrolyte. I rinsed it out real well then refilled the generator with vinegar and ran it for a few hours and it cleaned it up pretty well.
I have since switched to NaOH (lye). My rust problems went away.
I figure I have put too much work into this to mess it up with baking soda.

well. like that warning thread said it did eat his aluminum. I may try the vinegar, but I hate the smell. Or I may try potash. Anyone know where to get potash?

[mytoyotasucks]

cool. I dont have that stuff on hand so Im going to try baking soda for my first experiment.;)


just remember that it makes a bad gas.

[pj91gsx]

just remember that it makes a bad gas.
does that gas clean the motor more.:D