The Black Box Experiment

[Stevo]

This is my experimentation thread and I would like to introduce:

"The Black Box"


Real creative name, yeh I know...

(5 seconds)


(15 seconds)


Sorry for the teaser, more actual info is coming soon as I get it. Here are the basics though:

Plate Config:
+UUUUU- -UUUUU+

Grade SS: 316L (material and cuts by co2cutter)

Case Material: Lexan® Polycarbonate

Case Adhesive: IPS® #16 Weld-On

Case Sealant: Goop® brand Marine Adhesive

Electrolyte: Sodium Carbonate (not Bicarbonate)

Water: Distilled 1 Gallon

Ran this unit for 1 hour. Unit started at 3amps (85*F) and ended at 3amps (95*F).

[precaster1@msn.com]

Well, how many lpm?

[Stevo]

Well, how many lpm?

I'm still working on the top, so it will be completed this weekend hopefully and I will be able to get some lpm readings. My other option is to get a temp container to get this reading, which is what I might do just to see. I have a number in mind, but will wait to share it until I have proof.

[hydrotinkerer]

Did you wrap the cells all the way around with something? Looks like clear plates on the ends

[redneckgearhead34]

How many volts are you running?

Overall I really like this cell. Especially the see through window

[bigapple]

how well does that marine goop work? i use ultra black permatex silicone and its good but ive noticed a small leak at the bottom. i too have a polycarb box with silicone sealant across the bottom to assure no leaks. but since i have a small one, i want to get rid of it before it gets worse

[Stevo]

Did you wrap the cells all the way around with something? Looks like clear plates on the ends

Dangit, I knew I would forget something. Yeh the cell is encased in .22" thick acrylic on all sides except for the top and about 30% of the bottom. The green parts you see are pieces of PTFE tubing to block off the extra holes in the plates throughout and prevent voltage leaking. To ensure that the plate sides are well sealed, I use Goop® Marine Adhesive which is holding up exceptionally well since it is a silicone based adhesive and made to withstand Marine corrosion. Overall, I have no heat worries as my cell only reached approx 95*F after running for 1 hour.

Also, I am running (12 Volts / 6 cells) X 2.

[Stevo]

I did a little test today.

Start: 6.5 amps/12v, 2.51 bps. After 1 hour: 7 amps/12V, 2.75 bps.

One thing to note is that when I decided to drop the electrolyte level below the top of the cells, the bubbles per second went up from 1.6 to 2.51 and amps dropped from 7 to 6.5.

Update 9/27/08 20:30
==============================

Did a LPM test tonight and got these results:

250ml | 60 sec | 7 amps | 12 volts = 2.97 mmw

1000ml | 60 sec | 18 amps | 13.4 volts = 4.41 mmw


Back to the drawing board for me. I like Boyntonstu's Amoeba Cell. Going for the dry cell trend.

[Stevo]

It took forever, but I wanted to do it right and I did.




375ml - 68 seconds - 4amps @ 13.1V = 5.91 mmw
375ml - 35 seconds - 6.5amps @ 14.1V = 7.01 mmw

So, yeh it's now a completely dry black box. 12 cells as before, but some changes in materials.

Gaskets are made from 1/16" 80A neoprene rubber.
Clear plastic pressure plates are Lexan polycarbonate
Pressure bolts are zinc plated steel
Pressure bolt covers are clear vinyl tubing
Wing nuts, thru bolts and washers are Brass
Terminal wiring is 14 ga solid copper
Solder weld is JB Weld

Electrolyte is KOH.
Water is still distilled.

[Painless]

Nice numbers Stevo! Excellent job!

Where did you get the neoprene rubber from?

Did you weld the electrical wires to the plates? I'm not so familiar with welding techniques, what's a JB Weld exactly?

I would be interested to see how your MMW changes (if at all) once you work up to the 1 LPM plus mark.

Russ.