Using Sch40 PVC 220 psi rating. Replacing plates with 4" circular mesh and redesign of layout of cell inside 4" PVC Pipe. Mesh is from a coffee press.
Leaks due to connections not sealing. Need new grommets. Getting the stack connected to a power source without shorts.
Figured: Mess would provide a larger surface area to decrease heat and allow better flow. Plan on adding pump for a smaller design and better bubble release.
Cross between the Hotsabi and Nick's Newb Tube, with SS Mesh used inside of 1.5" PVC pipe. 5 tubes total to reduce amps and heat.
So I did some extended testing of my cells today, to see how they work. I get about 12.5 volts from my battery charger, so I used 5 tubes to spread out the voltage to about 2.5 per cell. I followed Nick in bumping up the amount of NaOH, and started out drawing 7.8 amps cold. At that level, it took me 77 seconds to produce 500ml of HHO. I let it run for 2 1/2 hours, taking measurements every 15 minutes. When it finally leveled out, I was pulling 13.5 amps, and producing 500ml in 43 seconds, which works out to .7 lpm. The nice thing is that after running for over 2 1/2 hours I opened one of the tubes and put a temperature probe into the electrolyte, to find the temperature only 145F. Running my 18-plate wrapped Smack for the same length of time gave me temps of over 200F, which is too high. My next test will be to bump up the strength of the electrolyte to see if I can start out drawing 14 amps cold. If the progression holds, I should be well over 1lpm without hitting 20 amps, and keeping my temperature low. Given the cheap and simple construction of these cells, I am satisified.
Here are pictures of how each cell is constructed. I also included one of the SS mesh I use.
