Non-Chemical Silver Cell details

[golddie]

Hi Platdigger
Now what do I do
I need a simpler schematic

 

[Platdigger]

What part of Canada are you in?
I have a bunch of power suplies, should be something that would work.
How big are you trying to go?

 

[golddie]

Hi Platdigger
Thanks for your reply
Something like Jims project or maybe 2 times the size of that

 

[Platdigger]

Having said that, and thinking about it further, most of mine go no lower than 5 volts.
I am not sure if just limiting the input voltage on these types of power suplies will work either.
But, if so, like I said, there are several.
There is an adjustment to the 5 volt output. I just don't know how low one can go with this.

 

[golddie]

Hi Platdigger
I tried to send you a personal message but it did not work
I wanted to ask you for pictures of these items and how much
Thanks

 

[qst42know]

Hello Junkman.

What function does the capacitor serve?

 

[AKDan]

It is a smoothing capacitor. It's purpose is to remove as much of the AC component from the wave form as possible so that there is little fluctuation in the voltage of the output. Often there is more than just the one in a circuit when the current draw is high. A bridge rectifier would be better than the full wave in this circuit, and the DC output should also be regulated to keep things as constant as possible. This circuit will work, but there are better ways to do it I am thinking.

 

[Junkman Jim]

AKDan,
I chose this full wave rectifier so I could draw 40 amps from each side of the center tap. A bridge rectifier would eliminate the center tap, double the voltage, but cut the current in half. I wound the transformer spacifically for 5 volts at about 80 amps. If I would have used a bridge I would need two windings of No. 8 wire in parallel, there wasn't enough room on the transformer. The bridge offers a smoother output but in this application a smoother output is not essential. If I needed a smoother DC output (less ripple) I would increase the capacitance. With the Variac on the input of the step down transformer this supply is very precise from 0 to 5 volts. By the way in the past this is the way the big boys designed plating power supplies.
Regards,
Junkman Jim

 

[AKDan]

I can't disagree with anything you say in your response, and was not throwing down on the circuit that you had provided. I can say without reservation that it will work. However, I personally would prefer and probably add better regulation, and more smoothing. I do like the regulation on the primary side.

I really just started to answer as to the capacitor question and got a little carried away in thinking about what I remembered seeing. At least you stepped up and provided a circuit that will work, and is simple enough for the average person to throw together. For that you are applauded.

 

[qst42know]

I was just reading the wiki on bridge rectifiers and they have the capacitor included. They did mention the benefits of a bleed resistor for this capacitor to avoid unwanted surprises. :shock:

 

[Junkman Jim]

qst,
I do have a bleed resistor in my power supply, I just didn't put it on the schematic for simplification. The bleed resistor goes across the capacitor and takes it to zero volts very shortly after the power switch is turned off preventing unwanted voltage at the output of the supply. The bleed resistor is even more important on higher voltage power supplies where the potential for electrical shock is present.
Junkman Jim

 

[aflacglobal]

This may be a bit off topic here, but could a person use a car alternator to power a plating cell or something like that. Output is about 200 amp @ 13v. I've made generators using a 120 v a.c. motor mounted on a board with a belt to an alternator to power it. It's not the most efficient way to go but i made it for like $20 . You can use a circuit to manipulate the voltage and such.

Does it make any sense.

 

[Refiner232121]

This is a fantastic project but anyone that does not know the basics of electronics it is better to just buy a rectifier and get on with business.
You have to remember that when a person is not familiar with the common electronic terms this task becomes impossible.
If anyone can do this in a picture form it would help
For example where does the transformer go in this project where to attach all the wires and things like that

 

[Junkman Jim]

How about some pictures?

Junkman Jim

 

[Frankk12]

Hi JIm
That is fantastic
I will have more questions later on
Thanks very much

 

[Frankk12]

Hi Jim
I named the parts
I am sure that some of them a wrong
If you can correct me on that it would be nice
If you can tell me the power of each part
For example the size of the transformer and the other parts

I wrote what is this for a knob
I am not sure what that does

I could see the on and off switch

Also where is the negative and positive lead

 

[Frankk12]

Here is the picture

 

[Frankk12]

Here is the picture
I hope it works this time

 

[Frankk12]

It doesnt look like I can post the picture

I was naming the parts
I said that there was a
2 meter
resistor
transformer capacitor


I wanted to know what the knob in the back was
Thanks

 

[Harold_V]

It doesnt look like I can post the picture

Have you observed the size limitations that restrict acceptable picture posting?

Harold