Copper sulphate as electrolyte

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Original poster: "J. B. Weazle McCreath by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <weazle-at-hurontel.on.ca>


Hello Coilers,

I've finally completed my bucket cap using copper sulphate as the
electrolyte rather than the more customary brine solution.  I've
taken precautions to insure accuracy in my comparisons.

I disolved 500 grams of the copper sulphate crystals into 8 litres
of distilled water, then after thoroughly mixing, I filled a dozen
of the regular sized Corona beer bottles and the bucket itself to
an even level.

The electrodes in both the bottles and the bucket where cut from a
length of 1/2 inch copper water pipe.  Leads from the pipes to the
terminals are no. 6 copper wire.  I did not use any oil floating
on the surface of the copper sulphate.

My Fluke meter measured a capacity of 0.011 uF. which is very close
to the calculated value based on .0009 uF. per bottle.  I've tried
it in direct replacement of a similar valued brine cap, and can see
no appreciable difference in performance of the test coil.

My main reason for this trial cap is to see if the lack of corrosion
on the copper electrodes over time, as is experienced with brine, is
a signifigant concideration...time will tell, but I suspect that I'll
not see near as much corrosion using copper sulphate as I did with
the brine electrolyte.


73, Weazle, VE3EAR/VE3WZL

Listening: 147.030+ and 442.075+
E-mail:    weazle-at-hurontel.on.ca
           or ve3ear-at-rac.ca
Web site:  www.hurontel.on.ca/~weazle