Maybe a ridiculous question but would it be safe to do some rust removal using electrolysis in a house garage. I have used it a few times before but have some more to do. Is the buildup of hydrogen enough to be a safety hazard. I dont really want to blow up my house and family.
Dale

If the garage is well ventilated you should have no problems.

Its well insulated but I supose if I leave the garage door opened up a few inches it would help.
Dale

If I'm creating fumes in my garage I find that opening the front door a few inches and also the window at the back keeps everything clear - it's a through-draft that shifts it.

David

I stick the bowl outside, the gas comes off at a fair rate when you are running at 11 amps! (and it's hydrogen and oxygen!!)

Its that explosive combination that worries me. If I had a window in the garage I would not be concerned but I dont like leaving the garage side door unlocked or ajar. Leaving the big door open a few inches is not a problem.
Dale

Secret to ventillation is have a high level vent and a low level vent at the opposite end of the room that way you get natural ventilation.

Small pilot light should allow you to burn it off at a controlled rate!

Cheers,
James

Hydrogen escapes upwards at quite a rate due to its low atomic weight compared to air. It is extremely difficult to contain even when you try to (balloons etc) so you shouldn't have much to worry about. Helium has similar issues for similar reasons and this is why helium balloons deflate over a period of a few days.

In my opinion the most important thing to remember is to switch off the power before disconnecting the crocodile clips to avoid sparks. This is the same with battery charging.

Out of interest, how many of us are quite happy to charge our car batteries inside the garage without much thought for gas buildup? Most overnight chargers will run at around 4 or 5 Amps and will generate hydrogen gas in the same way as with electrolysis.

Cheers,
Craig.

hydrogen and oxygen don't burn in a very controlled rate!!

quote:

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Originally posted by craig1410
Hydrogen escapes upwards at quite a rate due to its low atomic weight compared to air. It is extremely difficult to contain even when you try to (balloons etc) so you shouldn't have much to worry about. Helium has similar issues for similar reasons and this is why helium balloons deflate over a period of a few days.

In my opinion the most important thing to remember is to switch off the power before disconnecting the crocodile clips to avoid sparks. This is the same with battery charging.

Out of interest, how many of us are quite happy to charge our car batteries inside the garage without much thought for gas buildup? Most overnight chargers will run at around 4 or 5 Amps and will generate hydrogen gas in the same way as with electrolysis.

Cheers,
Craig.

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My Dad blew a battery up when charging it once when he came to take the leads off.

Showered himself and his clothing/face/eyes with acid! Ran inside and held face under tap to wash eyes. Meanwhile the acid ate through his shirt!

Cheers,
James

I had a battery explode in my younger days. I had 3 of them connected in series whilst using one of the Rawlplug DC stick welders (anyone remember them?).

I remember the sulfuric acid fumes hanging in the air in the garagae and my ears ringing for about a week after.

I considered myself lucky on 2 counts:

1 - I'd just moved my dads car out of the garage.

2 - I managed to finish welding the cracked Bonneville petrol tank that I had just struck the arc on with the remaining 2 batteries.