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About LinkBacksHas anyone made a variable power supply for use in home electroplating ?
Has anyone made a variable power supply for use in home electroplating ?
Swiss Toni
Depending on the power needed a cheap dimmer switch ahead of a car battery charger works to provide adjustable power to hot wire foam cutter or
a electro chemical rust removal system for me. The latter is similar to electro-plating but in reverse.
Bob
C-Bag (Aug 6, 2016), Mike Walton (Aug 14, 2016)
Thanks Bob. Food for thought!
. It is relatively simple to build a current regulator if you have any experience with electronics. Email me for more info.
Another good solution is to just buy a switchmode bench supply from EBay. Some are well under $100, and most of them are capable of regulating both voltage and current. "Pin It")
It depends on how much current you need. Plating is best done with a current-regulated supply (not voltage-regulated). It is relatively simple to build a current regulator if you have any experience with electronics. Email me for more info.
Another good solution is to just buy a switchmode bench supply from EBay. Some are well under $100, and most of them are capable of regulating both voltage and current.
i would concur with using a battery charger or transformer and a resistor.
the plating process doesn't take much voltage, but the more amps available will enhance deposition rates.
Where there is a Will, there is a Way!
I'm not an electroplating expert by any stretch but I do know electronics enough to agree with Don that if you arn't an expert the best route is to find, buy, adapt. It is a rare day when reinventing the wheel is the best route with electronics.
Figure out just exactly what your needs are and then let google and other search engines be your friend. Very good chance Ebay will have just what you are looking for.
What metal do you plan to electroplate? Do you know how many DC amps are required to electroplate with it?Originally Posted by Swiss Toni
I ask because the cost of equipment is directly proportional to the number of plating amps needed.
Toni I don't know what finish you are looking for but I've used products from these folks in the past with great results
EPI - Electrochemical Products Inc.
For my power supply though I had re-purposed a 650 Amp DC power supply from a large mig welder. But we were doing 1000s of small parts contained in baskets every week
Never try to tell me it can't be done
When I have to paint I use KBS products
Do you know what voltage and how many amps you need?
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Krister Persson
 steel items for some of my motorcycle restorations. I think the best idea,as suggested, is to visit 'that site' and look for a purpose built unit, electrickery not being one of my strong points! "Pin It")
Guys, thanks very much for the informative replies! I will be plating (BZP) steel items for some of my motorcycle restorations. I think the best idea,as suggested, is to visit 'that site' and look for a purpose built unit, electrickery not being one of my strong points!
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