MPG...

[murf26]

The mileage i've been getting with my generator has been progressively going down in the last week.  Doubled the amount of electrolyte(sodium hydroxide) to total of 1 tsp.  I don't know if it's my electrodes or the amount of electrolyte...how much electrolyte should I use?  I've got a 2002 Ford Taurus and started checking my mileage last week.  Checked it last week and I was getting 20.7 mpg.  I then added another 1/2 tsp of SOH and last night I was getting 18 mpg.  Have an MAF adjuster and have put an extension on one of my O2 sensors so far.  This is my first generator so ANY suggestions are welcome! 
A work in progress.............

[randy]

sodium hydroxide will foul up your cell, makes lots of goo that will cause a black crust to form on plates or tubes, you'll need to tear it down to clean, try using distilled water and lemonaid Koolaid unsweetened, I'm sure you'll like it.

[murf26]

sodium hydroxide will foul up your cell, makes lots of goo that will cause a black crust to form on plates or tubes, you'll need to tear it down to clean, try using distilled water and lemonaid Koolaid unsweetened, I'm sure you'll like it.

How much koolaid and is there a particular type?

[murf26]

sodium hydroxide will foul up your cell, makes lots of goo that will cause a black crust to form on plates or tubes, you'll need to tear it down to clean, try using distilled water and lemonaid Koolaid unsweetened, I'm sure you'll like it.

Randy,  what would be a good way to clean the electrodes?

[randy]

go down to a supermarket, look in the powdered drink area, get the little Koolaid unsweetened lemonaid packets, usually around four packs for a buck, depending on how much fluid you have in your cell, I have a gallon system, it takes about 18 packets.

[murf26]

go down to a supermarket, look in the powdered drink area, get the little Koolaid unsweetened lemonaid packets, usually around four packs for a buck, depending on how much fluid you have in your cell, I have a gallon system, it takes about 18 packets.

The 'ole quart Mason jar is all I can get under my hood...4 packs?

[Bob]

Murf26:
 Do you have a AMP meter hooked to your hydroxy cell ? if not stop adding anything to the water in the cell or you'll draw too many amps !
you can melt your hookup wires if your not real carefull, and if you were smart and put big wires on there you might even fry the altenator.... so get a amp meter on there so you can adjust the electrolite to its proper amprage... guessing is very expensive in this game ! it costs in parts!
...
you might try Muratic Acid to clean out the cell put 100% in the jar for 10 minutes then flush it realy good with the garden hose.... that acid is mean so be carefull if you use it and make sure you don't pour it on Mom's flowers! heheheheheh
....
but first things first...get an amp guage on that thing hook it in line with the positive lead to the cell... that will tell you how much amps the cell is drawing and you can raise the amps by adding more Koolaid or KOH...as Randy said stay away from Sodium-ANYTHING it makes goo real bad!
and will coat the plates and they'll cease to work.
...
what kind of cell is it ?
can you discribe it to us ?
how many LPM does it put out? and have you tested the output yourself ?
...
I amagon the cell's output has dropped off a great deal and that is the reason for the drop in MPG
clean the cell in Muratic acid  and if it don't clean up very good, give it another cleaning .
... also there is a trick to adjusting the O2 enhansers  each one is a bit different so follow the directions<grin>
...
Good luck !
Bob...........


 

[murf26]

Murf26:
 Do you have a AMP meter hooked to your hydroxy cell ? if not stop adding anything to the water in the cell or you'll draw too many amps !
you can melt your hookup wires if your not real carefull, and if you were smart and put big wires on there you might even fry the altenator.... so get a amp meter on there so you can adjust the electrolite to its proper amprage... guessing is very expensive in this game ! it costs in parts!
...
you might try Muratic Acid to clean out the cell put 100% in the jar for 10 minutes then flush it realy good with the garden hose.... that acid is mean so be carefull if you use it and make sure you don't pour it on Mom's flowers! heheheheheh
....
but first things first...get an amp guage on that thing hook it in line with the positive lead to the cell... that will tell you how much amps the cell is drawing and you can raise the amps by adding more Koolaid or KOH...as Randy said stay away from Sodium-ANYTHING it makes goo real bad!
and will coat the plates and they'll cease to work.
...
what kind of cell is it ?
can you discribe it to us ?
how many LPM does it put out? and have you tested the output yourself ?
...
I amagon the cell's output has dropped off a great deal and that is the reason for the drop in MPG
clean the cell in Muratic acid  and if it don't clean up very good, give it another cleaning .
... also there is a trick to adjusting the O2 enhansers  each one is a bit different so follow the directions<grin>
...
Good luck !
Bob...........


 

Thanks Bob...wanted to check with you a little closer as far as the ammeter goes.  How do I hook it up and how many amps am I shooting for as far as the generator goes?  My generator consists of 2-6"  5/16" bolts with 10-1" fender washers each that are separated by lockwashers.  And I have twisted braided steel wire around each electrode...this is housed in a quart-sized, wide-mouth Mason jar.  I've got the electrics running through a 30amp relay.

[Bob]

Sense your useing a 30 amp relay its best not to go above 25 amps or so then so mix your electrolite
to draw about 10 amps cold... when it warms up it should be drawing about 20amps...
You'll need at least a 30 amp amp-meter... hook it between the relay and the cell on the positive lead....if there is a + and Minus on the meter the , pos(+) on the amp meter should point to the relay and the neg(-) then go to the cell ( its still positive polarity )when the relay is on it will show you the amps the cell is useing....  because the power has to go through the amp meter to reach the cell...
mixing the Electrolite is easy but you need some paitiance... put in enough Koolaid till you see about 5 amps and stop and wait for a good 5 minutes it will come up some you want to get it right on 10 amps if you can so when the cell is warm it will be drawing 20 amps max...
...I have no idea what that cell is designed for in the way of amprage...20 amps may be too much for it I have no idea , consult the documention that came with it or visit their site and ask them !
... I am guessing at no more than 20 amps though.
...

Also make sure that the meter cannot touch any metal on its posts as it will short out... useing black tape and tapeing it to a hose or something is a good idea...
(do not get it by the spark plug wires!)
...
Hope that helps !
Bob.......

[murf26]

Thanks Bob...I'll give it a shot.  Have ordered an ammeter today.   Yesterday, I checked the fluid level of my generator and it was down quite a bit.  But the generator seemed to be doing better.  I have an MAF adjuster and actually had to lean it out some more from the reading I had when the fluid level was higher.  Working like a charm and the ammeter will be the finishing touch.

[candyman55]

If you were getting better results with low fluid level. Possibly you need to increase your electrolyte.