Plating power supply

[Don Y.]

I have my plating kit from Caswell's and the power supply has gone backorder. I waited almost 3 weeks and now I was told another 3 weeks. I have a pile of plating to do and could have the balance done before the power supply arrives. Could someone suggest an alternate source for a unit that would supply up to 5 amps of current? I am somewhat ignorant of precisely what I am looking for. Is the unit called a power supply or rectifier? I would appreciate any help I can get.
Don Yesacavage

[Mike M.]

Re: Plating power supply

Before they had the power supply I used C cell batterys for the cad plating and later used a ajustable power supply low voltage type. The type that would charge up a toy car. The C cell batterys worked good on the older type of cad solution. I'm not sure about the newer type solution.

[Donald L.]

Re: Plating power supply

You could try Radio Shack. I had a credit card machine pwr supply go south during business hours and I was able to find a replacement the same day.

[Donald T.]

Re: Plating power supply

Batteries are a good alternative, but controlling the current can be problematic. Batteries are pure DC and therefore provide ripple free current. A power supply will convert AC to DC, but will create ripple in the output. Ripple is the portion of AC that remains unconverted, and ripple will affect the plating finish. Purpose built plating rectifiers have filters designed to reduce ripple, and provide better plating results.

[Jack H.]

'Rectifier'

is an archane plater's term for power supply... It simply means AC in with DC out. There are some nice posts in archives on what to look for with different members having different preferences.

Basically, you'll find laboratory grade power supplies up on eBay every day and they can be SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than buying something new from Caswell, Etc. What you're after is a regulated power supply that has BOTH variable output voltage and variable output current.

That let's you dial up the output voltage to match the chemistry you're working with, dial the current all the way down to zero, hook up your anode and cathode in the electrolyte bath then SLOWLY bring the current up to the point where you see the target part begin to bubble as it plates.

In general, the cost of a power supply varies with its overall power profile, so shopping for a GORILLA of a supply isn't necessarily smart! Something that gives you a 0-6 to 0-10 VDC voltage range and 0-5 to 0-10 Amp current range will suit the typical zinc/cad/tin world of hobbist plating needs. More current isn't necessarily good either as your ability to pick a given output current becomes more 'coarse' with a greater output range to span.

There are many brands including Hewlett-Packard, Lambda, B&K plus a host of Japanese suppliers. Log onto eBay and search on 'Laboratory Power Supply' for a nice shopping list of what's available. Typically, you can score a nice used supply in the $50 range...

[Alan Drake]

Re: YES to 'Rectifier'

Have been using a lab power supply as Jack mentions - it works very well. However the supply has been failing so I tried the battery charger trick - do not like the result at all. Not expert at this, but will always use the lab supply.

[Dick G.]

Battery caharger

I have been using my 6-12 VDC battery charger for years with great results. I have one of those big chargers on wheels. Usually I plate on the 6 volt scale. I have been using Eastwood products. DG

[Gerard F.]

Re: Plating power supply

Don,

If you are in a bind for a power supply, here is my initial plating setup with a battery charger (from a few years ago):


If you see that box at the lower right that was my rudimentary voltage/amp regular. It is a double electrical box with a light dimmer switch on one side (can't see it in the picture) and a double outlet on the other side. The outlets are wired in series to the dimmer switch. In the first outlet in the series circuit, I put a light bulb socket, which by using different size light bulbs, I have some control over amps. In the last outlet, I plug in the battery charger so I am controlling the voltage and amps input to the charger.
I measure the voltage across the plating tank with a voltmeter and adjust it with the dimmer switch.

Pretty complicated and a pain in the neck, but it does work. It is a world of difference with a power supply. I now use a Kikusui PAB 8-5 (0 to 8 volts, 0 to 5 amps), in fact I have two identical units and can plate up to 10 amps.

All you do is put the part in the tank, set up for plating, set your voltage (1 to 2 volt) at minimum amps, then adjust your amps up until the part starts bubbling lightly, then turn it back for just a light effervesence. Makes things easy.

I got both my Kikusui's on ebay for less then $50 with shipping. You could also look under Kepco or Mastertech. I agree with Jack's specs on the voltage-amperage. I have never used over 5 amps with zinc in a 2 gallon plating tank.

I did do a quite search on ebay for a power supply just a while ago and did not find any suitable ones available, but they do pop up once in a while. I really like the Kikusui's, they also have a 16-10 which is very suitable also.

Hope this helps,

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Don Y.]

Re: Plating power supply

Thanks for all of the responses. I searched for Mastech and found some power supplies that are pretty reasonably priced. Looks like a good alternative to Caswell's backorder. A-plating I will go!
Don Yesacavage