tor Body
The body is made from two 4" ABS clean out adapters, with a 4" plug inverted and cemented into the bottom. A 4" tube of acrylic or ABS makes the body, and the generator plates and cap screw down into the top.
A water bubbler is made in a similar fashion out of 2" clear acrylic tubing, but needs a way to clip onto the side.
Step 6: Making Clips for the Bubbler
Clips can be made from scrap acrylic or ABS tubing, and glued to the side of the body.
To make these clips, I cut 3/4" off the 2" tubing I used to make the bubbler, then cut the top 1/3" off to form a claw. These were then cemented to acrylic rods, and attached to the side of the generator body.
Step 7: Adding a Check Valve
Some poly tube, and a one-way check valve is added to the top elbow, making sure the valve will let gas out, but nothing back in.
Step 8: Making the Electrolyte
The electrolyte is distilled water and about 2-4 teaspoons of KOH (potassium hydroxide). Salt or baking soda could also be used, but may dirty and corrode the plates over time.
I stirred the KOH flakes into the water, then used a coffee filter to strain the solution into the generator casing (after it had been cleaned thoroughly).
Note: Potassium Hydroxide is caustic and can burn the skin. Avoid direct contact!
Step 9: Finishing Touches
Water is added to the bubbler, then the cap is put back on, and the poly tubes are hooked up.
I tested it out with a 12 volt car battery and some jumper cables. The gas formed is collected it in a small water bottle, and ignited with a flame.
On 12 volts, this produces about 1.5 LPM. I also hooked it to 2 car batteries in series, and on this higher 24 voltage, the system produced over 5 LPM and filled up a gallon milk jug in 38 seconds!
Note: Higher voltages allow more current to flow through the system, and it heats up quickly over time. If allowed to continue, there is a risk the plastic casing will melt from prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
Step 10: How Powerful Is the Gas?
This system was not designed for use in a vehicle, but more as a device to demonstrate the electrolysis of water and what the gas can do.
To see some experiments where the gas was ignited, and some useful features of the generator, check out the video.
If you liked this project, perhaps you'll like some of my others. Check them out at www.thekingofrandom.com
Grand Prize in the
SciStarter Citizen Science Contest