Crystal Cells
Jim,
I would say that crystal cells have different ranges and levels of voltages. The real limiting factor is the cells impedance anywhere between 1.5 Meg Ohms to 350 Ohms, but does the cell stay at this impedance, NO. The cells sometimes seem that they are dead but that is far from the truth as Chuck and I found out. They can be shorted out by water and then dry out and be right back.
Alum forms an ever expanding crystal. So it is advisable to limit the amount of alum in the mix if you can. Sodium Carbonate will short itself out with to much water in the mix.
However an easy experiment to see, this is simple.
Rochelle Salts 3 spoons Epsom Salts 3 spoons, Alum 1/4 spoon. then copper and Magnesium, just plain copper will do. Heat this mix until it is just liquid and no further pour in a cup to emerse the electrodes in.
Polarize when it is in-between states, ( Between solid and Liquid) only do this one time and not at more then the voltage of the cell, say 1.5 volts that is it.
Now let set with a load on it. This load should be a meter and a resistor. when the load goes down add a couple drops of water and watch. Soon you will not need to add water for weeks.
Why the Alum crystal as it grows pulls water from the air. To even slow this process down more add flower drying silica. The current of the cell can be anything depending on the area of the electrodes, normal between 2 Ma to 35Ma. so by experimenting you can come up with the mix that works. Warning adding Sodium Carbonate to Alum causes a reaction the neutralizes the two chemicals.
Do the experiment until you understand how the water is locked up in the end and your circuit is still running.
John
Originally posted by jehdds
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I would say that crystal cells have different ranges and levels of voltages. The real limiting factor is the cells impedance anywhere between 1.5 Meg Ohms to 350 Ohms, but does the cell stay at this impedance, NO. The cells sometimes seem that they are dead but that is far from the truth as Chuck and I found out. They can be shorted out by water and then dry out and be right back.
Alum forms an ever expanding crystal. So it is advisable to limit the amount of alum in the mix if you can. Sodium Carbonate will short itself out with to much water in the mix.
However an easy experiment to see, this is simple.
Rochelle Salts 3 spoons Epsom Salts 3 spoons, Alum 1/4 spoon. then copper and Magnesium, just plain copper will do. Heat this mix until it is just liquid and no further pour in a cup to emerse the electrodes in.
Polarize when it is in-between states, ( Between solid and Liquid) only do this one time and not at more then the voltage of the cell, say 1.5 volts that is it.
Now let set with a load on it. This load should be a meter and a resistor. when the load goes down add a couple drops of water and watch. Soon you will not need to add water for weeks.
Why the Alum crystal as it grows pulls water from the air. To even slow this process down more add flower drying silica. The current of the cell can be anything depending on the area of the electrodes, normal between 2 Ma to 35Ma. so by experimenting you can come up with the mix that works. Warning adding Sodium Carbonate to Alum causes a reaction the neutralizes the two chemicals.
Do the experiment until you understand how the water is locked up in the end and your circuit is still running.
John
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