Crystal Cell Research for Experimenter

[tgraca]

Any values will work to some extent... Get a little breadboard and experiment with the values, then when you find something that works best, solder it together.

PS - you asked me why I would like a power supply that could increment in the uA range..  configuring these JT's to work better with low powered cells is why... I used to use that 10 mH/10 mH JT with 2 100 uF polarized caps and a 1k resistor and a very low powered red LED to blink some of my really early cells with power as low as 0.2 to 0.4 mV and only 1 uA.

[tgraca]

PS - you asked me why I would like a power supply that could increment in the uA range..  configuring these JT's to work better with low powered cells is why... I used to use that 10 mH/10 mH JT with 2 100 uF polarized caps and a 1k resistor and a very low powered red LED to blink some of my really early cells with power as low as 0.2 to 0.4 mV and only 1 uA.

I found my old buck boost converter and used one of my 9.6 V lead alum batteries as a source. I had dug out most of the electrolyte from #345 this morning and replaced it with pure alum, but it didn't help. It was still at about 620 mV under load 12 hours later, and it's still wet... so I hooked up the boost converter, set it to 63 volts and it kicked a charge at 0.03 amps for about 30 seconds... the cells was showing 90 mA on short and is up to 1.7 volts. Under load, it is showing 1.431 volts... interesting...

We'll have to break out the calculation for joules (one watt of power for one second, or one "watt second" (W·s) ) to see if we are getting any extra back out of it... that's the problem with charging these cells. If you kick 60 volts at 1 amp for 60 seconds for example, you have put in 60 joules (60 WS) of power, so calculating how long the cells should run at variable power becomes an issue. For example... If the cell is using an average of 2 mA at an average of 1V, 60 joules would mean this cell has to run for 8.3 hours to get a COP of 1... please check my math... I see where you are coming from now with the charging... 63 volts at 0.03 amps is only 1.89 joules, so a 30 second charge = 56.7 joules, which means if this thing runs for over 9 hours, we will at least prove this is a viable idea...

I have never tried to charge a mag./copper/alum cell before, but there was some crystallization on the mag. from Fausto's electrolyte and some of the old electrolyte around the sides, so if it is charging the cell, that's one thing, but like Fausto said, maybe it is doing something else with this electrolyte, like forming the crystals in a very interesting way!!!

Well, at least it seems I have a workable power source now. If I can't get enough power out of my lead alum batteries, I'll hook it up to one of my RV batteries with a 10A diode (to protect the boost converter - it's rated at 10A max input) between the positive input and see if I can get more amps out of the boost converter. I'll have to check, but I think I had it set for 0.35 amps, but it was only pushing 0.03 amps... again... I'll check...

[tgraca]

I found my old buck boost converter...

The alum battery is having trouble supplying this buck boost converter. I'll attach a diode next time and connect it to one of my RV batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZQ6sZrJZhQ

[plengo]

The alum battery is having trouble supplying this buck boost converter. I'll attach a diode next time and connect it to one of my RV batteries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZQ6sZrJZhQ

LOVELY video, thank you. Rechargeable is indeed very interesting.  When I build this cell like in the video I shown at the next instant the cell has no power but with time the power goes up. I thought that was enough evidence to discard the super capacitor possibility. I still don't think this cell "stores" energy by that process you did.


I think something else is at play here.


I do have some experiments you could do since you are about to create more of those 344s. All using the FC62 (super cook with the large voltage - your battery system is very good, use it).


- one with towel paper wrapped around the Mg and allow a slice of the paper come out of the solid mix so that with time you can add Epson only solution to it without having to expose the insides to the air.

- one just like the first but 1/2 exposed to air so it makes even easier to add Epson only solution while also exposed to air which means higher evaporation.

- one identical to 344 (totally encased Mg cooked) but the load to be a SHORT (straight wire). Leave it for days and once in a while measure its current output with a meter. I notice those cells runs better with a lower impedance load than higher. They love to push hard.

- one much more liquid solution F134 in different degrees until almost watery. I am suspicious that there is a point of perfect performance which is not solid neither liquid.


If you could do some of those it would be wonderful because I have been doing the same also with Mg strips (like you) and I have noticed some very interesting properties.


I also dissected some and the Mg is intact, some parts even shinning BUT only when the Copper became red/black and Mg was covered with a black oxide.


Fausto.

[plengo]

Btw,


in my very successful cell that has been running super steady, when I made her I let her die by drying out completely. This allowed the crystals to grow to their maximum without being used up.


I reactivated them by adding a little bit of Epson solution and that's it, magic happens. No more water ever. Exposed to air and wrapped in tape to avoid dust or accidents with liquids.


Now, I am trying to replicate the same but without having to wait for months for the cell to dry up. I have tried oven, FC62 many times and so on. So far not much success, bummer. This is another reason I need more people testing to find out FASTER how to replicate 100% of the time this successful cell. She is giving a flat 2.588 volts over a 10 mm green LED for days and days and days and days.....and......


I would love to replicate it using the Mg strips because they are cheap, readily available and super light and small.


I know that to replicate a few things must happen. One is the red/black oxide over the Copper. Another is the black oxide over the Mg and it must solidify, both. Then the Epson solution will re-activate and make the magic. The FC62 is MY WAY of accomplishing that instead of months for that layer to grow. Success in this process so far.


Mg will not corrode when properly done this steps and the cell is properly shielded from external water.


Now my crazy theory: THose are not fuel cells, they are Hydro-cells. They use Hydrogen from the air to run. Yes, Hydrogen, the by product is O2 (oxigen). My intution.


Fausto.