Zinc plating - What are you using for a power supply?

[1978GS750E]

I have a few bits that I need to zinc plate, or re-zinc plate, as the case may be, and was wondering what is best to use as a power supply. I used an old 12V battery charger ran thru a battery last time with less that fantastic results. I have the zinc anode and all of the other needed items and was wondering what others have found works best as a power supply. I have read that an adjustable power supply works best??? Anyone that has done zinc plating with good results care to offer advice on a power supply?

 

[Guest]

Yes, my results improved greatly when I started to use a variable power supply. Prior to using it, small parts were over-plating (a grey fuzzy finish), and larger parts were taking ages.

I bought it a while ago, but I'll try to find a link.

 

[Nessism]

I'm using a YIHUA YH-305D power supply. It's a chinese cheepy that I paid something like $50 for off ebay. It's nice because current is adjustable by the turn of a knob. You want about .14A/sq.in. of plating surface area. Or a easier way to judge is to turn it up until you get an a very slight effervescent fuzz off the parts. Prior to getting the power supply I had satisfactory results using a motorcycle battery, sometimes supplemented with charger, and using motorcycle turn signals as load. Use two signals for high load (ahd high current) and one for less current. Hook an amp meter in line to monitor current. It worked just fine. I've heard that back in the days, before cheap power supplies, guys used to make a grid with light bulb sockets so the load can be changed easily. There are ways...

 

[1978GS750E]

Ed,

Think one like this would work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30V-5A-10A...var=431581318778&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Ron

 

[robertbarr]

These 'new' constant voltage / constant current power supplies are wonderful little devices. I wish I could send one back in time to my teenage years! One suggestion: Shop at Amazon for now, and find a unit with good reviews. There's a lot more information about them at Amazon than anywhere else I've found (except for the actual name-brand units, which cost actual money).

I bought mine when the 5A - 30v units were about $80, and I found mine at $70. Now you can find 10A versions for less than that. You'll find a boatload of uses for one, in addition to your plating application.

I was recently toying with doing some plating myself, just small items like fasteners, so it'll be interesting towatch your posts & see how it goes.

 

[Nessism]

Ed,

Think one like this would work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/30V-5A-10A...var=431581318778&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Ron

I think that would be fine Ron. For the price it's low risk. 5A is more than enough.

 

[Guest]

Once I'd got the power supply worked out, I found results improved again once I started using heat, and aeration to circulate the plating solution. I probably paid less than ?20 for an aquarium heater and pump from my local pet shop.

 

[Nessism]

What are you guys using for your plating electrolyte? I'm using Caswell's and it's great when it's fresh. After some usage it goes off though and the plated parts turn out dull no matter what I do. Caswell's also sells a brightener which helps, but nothing helps when the solution gets old. I recently bought a PH gauge because I've read that the solution will move towards base with time and you have to add some acid to restore the solution. Anyway, always trying to learn...

 

[Kiwi Canuck]

This post is one of the best regarding plating that I've read, starts at post #129

https://www.thegsresources.com/_for...n-Performance-Rebuild/page4&highlight=plating

David

 

[1978GS750E]

Thanks for the input. Have the power supply on order. Going to order the Caswell chemicals and start collecting the other needed items. Hope to be doing this correctly by Christmas!