Using Soft Water for Cast Iron Electrolysis

[timtamtim078]

I just switched my home over to a water softener and I am curious how it will affect my electrolysis tanks this winter. I have used hard city water for five years with the same basic setup of plastic tubs and washing soda. Now that my water is treated I want to make sure the salt or mineral changes won't mess with the cleaning process. I plan to keep using my manual battery charger and sacrificial steel just like before. It seems like the soft water should work fine since the washing soda is what really does the heavy lifting for the current. I just want to be sure I am not missing any side effects that could ruin a good skillet.

 

[baileyking]

Does soft water change how much washing soda you need to add?

 

[sweetsands]

I just switched my home over to a water softener and I am curious how it will affect my electrolysis tanks this winter. I have used hard city water for five years with the same basic setup of plastic tubs and washing soda. Now that my water is treated I want to make sure the salt or mineral changes won't mess with the cleaning process. I plan to keep using my manual battery charger and sacrificial steel just like before. It seems like the soft water should work fine since the washing soda is what really does the heavy lifting for the current. I just want to be sure I am not missing any side effects that could ruin a good skillet.

Check your sacrificial metal more often because soft water can sometimes speed up the flow of electricity.

 

[iconic matz]

Make sure you still rinse the iron thoroughly with fresh water to remove any leftover cleaning salts.

 

[BigBob75]

Is spring water sold in gallon plastic jugs at Aldi's OK for electrolysis tanks, or is tap water OK? I want to try electrolysis in the spring when the water will not freeze here in North New Jersey.

 

[timtamtim078]

Is spring water sold in gallon plastic jugs at Aldi's OK for electrolysis tanks, or is tap water OK? I want to try electrolysis in the spring when the water will not freeze here in North New Jersey.

You can use tap water or distilled water. I preferred using tap water as it is readily available.

 

[timtamtim078]

I found this article while searching and hoping this will also help others.

https://theblackironblog.com/2019/0...on-pans-part-3-building-an-electrolysis-tank/

 

[BigBob75]

I found this article while searching and hoping this will also help others.

https://theblackironblog.com/2019/0...on-pans-part-3-building-an-electrolysis-tank/

WOW, great info! Many thanks to timtamtim078! God /bless. Bob