RE: Copper sulphate as electrolyte

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Atkinson, Chip by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <CAtkinson-at-Circadence-dot-com>

Beware that copper sulfate is really corrosive on metals such as steel and
aluminum.  Not so much aluminum due to the oxide coating that forms, but if
there are scratches it'll start replacing the aluminum with spongy copper.
Likewise for enameled pots or stoves.  My parents destroyed a stove making
copper sulfate crystals when the enameled pots developed leaks as the copper
sulfate attacked through cracks and pin holes.  Then the solution leaked out
and on to the stove.  It's also poisonous as well.  I'm sure it's not on the
level of sodium cyanide of course, but it's not as non-toxic as brine.

Chip

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
> Sent: Friday, June 22, 2001 7:55 AM
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: Copper sulphate as electrolyte
> 
> 
> Original poster: "Luc by way of Terry Fritz 
> <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <ludev-at-videotron.ca>
> 
> Hi J.B.
> 
> Do you have a cheap source suggestion for copper sulphate, I'll
> need some for a big adjustable water resistor soon.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Luc Benard
> 
> Tesla list wrote:
> > 
> > Original poster: "Barton B. Anderson by way of Terry Fritz
> <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <tesla123-at-pacbell-dot-net>
> > 
> > J.B.,
> > This is interesting. I'll be looking forward to what your 
> conclusions are.
> > I assume you have a duplicate of
> > Brine caps to compare to?
> > 
> > Take care,
> > Bart
> > 
> > Tesla list wrote:
> > 
> > > 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
> 
> 
>