Dry cell not working. Please help

[Benjoeau02]

Hi
Iv just finished of my dry cell
I power it up
Dosnt work at all
11 plate
2+. 1-
8nutrels

Gap 2mm
Plate thikness 1.8
Hope Somone can help
Thank

[koya1893]

Let see if I can make something from what you provided: Cell configuration has 2+, 1-, and 8N meaning +NNNN-NNNN+. If this is correct, I hope you are using a strong solution mix, because that configuration requires a strong mix. What electrolyte are you using? If you are using NaOH, use 450g per 1 gl. of distilled water or 1lb per 1gl. This is for brute force running, for KOH I would start with the same. If you still don't see any production increase the solution and make sure you have good connection to all the terminals.

You should see 10-15 amps usage initially, oh yeah mix the solution ahead of time and let it cool. DO NOT mix and then fill your system.

[andrewpeters]

Electrode reactions: Zn --> Zn2+ + 2 e-

2 MnO2 + 2 NH4+ + 2 e- --> Mn2O3 + H2O + 2 NH3

The role of the NH4Cl is two-fold: to remove oxide from the MnO2, and to provide mobile ions. Thus it is both a reagent and an electrolyte

[Benjoeau02]

Thanks for you reply
Yes you are all correct
Iv tryed to use a little baking powder. Just for a bench
No good.
I will try to get some other Stuff koh (where to buy))?
What's the best confegration?for a small cell
Thanks for your help
Ben

[koya1893]

you can get the stuff from the net, try AAA chemical they ship anywhere.

[nst6563]

If you want decent electrolyte fast, you can grab Roebic crystal drain cleaner (100% NaOH) from lowes/home depot for about $10-$15.

[Bhart]

You can get a 1lb. container of NaOH from ACE Hardware for just under $5.00.

[Farrahday]

Hi
Iv just finished of my dry cell
I power it up
Dosnt work at all
11 plate
2+. 1-
8nutrels

Gap 2mm
Plate thikness 1.8
Hope Somone can help
Thank

Are you saying it doesn't work at all - no gas whatsoever? Because you should see some gas evolving with that configuration even just with tap water.

Your initial post does not provide enough info. How are you powering the electrolyser? Is it from 12 volts?

[Farrahday]

Electrode reactions: Zn --> Zn2+ + 2 e-

2 MnO2 + 2 NH4+ + 2 e- --> Mn2O3 + H2O + 2 NH3

The role of the NH4Cl is two-fold: to remove oxide from the MnO2, and to provide mobile ions. Thus it is both a reagent and an electrolyte

:confused: What's all this about???:confused:

[D.O.G]

:confused: What's all this about???:confused:

It's about promoting a catering web site.
Just a sad little drone trying to be noticed.:rolleyes:

Pete.

[Benjoeau02]

Thanks for help
It is 12 volt
Should be making something
Using tap water .
Would distill water make a dyfence?
I'm having trouble getti koh ect from bunning ect
I got some drain cleaner crystals
55% sodium hydroxide
Should I try
Or should I order to Australia
I'm getting nothing at all .
Maybe 2mm gap
I just built another one
Small
Same as the other onE but thiner plates
Has 9 plates
Still nothing
,
I think I'll try this drain cleaner out,
Go from there ...
Just won't to test at moment
Thanks

[BioFarmer93]

Thanks for help
It is 12 volt
Should be making something
Using tap water .
Would distill water make a dyfence?
I'm having trouble getti koh ect from bunning ect
I got some drain cleaner crystals
55% sodium hydroxide
Should I try
Or should I order to Australia
I'm getting nothing at all .
Maybe 2mm gap
I just built another one
Small
Same as the other onE but thiner plates
Has 9 plates
Still nothing
,
I think I'll try this drain cleaner out,
Go from there ...
Just won't to test at moment
Thanks


Benjoe,
You should be at least showing some bubbles building up on the plates.. You also have been a little shy with the info. If you want us to help a little better then please take several photos of your build and post them- this makes it much easier to narrow down problems.. Thanks....

[Farrahday]

It all seems a bit odd. The impurities in tap water should give you some gas production.

Check that your connections are sound and that you don't have an open circuit somewhere. You can do this easily by using a voltmeter to check that you have actually got voltage drops across individual cells. Make a note of the voltages.

Don't waste your time trying expensive distilled water as, without and added electrolyte, this will give you less gas than you have now! Just get the unit working first.

You should have around 2.2 volts per cell, so you should be getting some gas from tap water. If not, I suspect an open cct.

[D.O.G]

Thanks for help
It is 12 volt
Should be making something
Using tap water .
Would distill water make a dyfence?
I'm having trouble getti koh ect from bunning ect
I got some drain cleaner crystals
55% sodium hydroxide
Should I try
Or should I order to Australia
I'm getting nothing at all .
Maybe 2mm gap
I just built another one
Small
Same as the other onE but thiner plates
Has 9 plates
Still nothing
,
I think I'll try this drain cleaner out,
Go from there ...
Just won't to test at moment
Thanks

Benjoeau02,
Most Australian supermarkets will stock Caustic Soda. It's 98% NaOH and is what I use. BTW, that's also where I buy distilled water, tap water works OK for a proof of concept test, but not for everyday use.

Pete.

[Benjoeau02]

Thank for you help.
I can't pots pics as I don't have a camera,
Plates are small ,3 holes diaganol
alternated pattern
Conecect well
1 Hose on either side of cell to bubbler
Hooked it it again
Test volt
2.60
5.13
7.64
9.67
12.40
9.70
7.50
5.03
2.64
Seems fine but still nothing at all
I got some caustic soda 98%(thanks)round the corner)
I must have to put it in

As I must have some spetiol water lol
Thanks again for your help
Ben

[Farrahday]

Well the voltages show that your electrolyser is not at fault.

Where do you get your water? Because it must be close to de-ionised if you are getting nothing at all in the way of gas evolving.

Here in England, tap water is full of minerals that act as an electrolyte and, while not super-impressive, will at least give very visable results.

Anyway, chuck some caustic soda in and let us know what happens.