Yes, you do need some aluminum dissolved in the electrolyte, about 2 grams per liter. That's because dissolved aluminum reduces the electrical conductivity of the electrolyte.
If you have effective current limiting, no aluminum content is necessary.
If you're hooking up a battery charger and "letting it rip", the only things providing any current limiting are: aluminum content, the instantly damaged electrical connections, and the battery charger being pulled down by the almost dead short.
You also can't possibly have any clue what the current density is you're anodizing at.
One day; either the diodes in the charger will blow, or the transformer will melt a winding and short out permanently.
Tim, I thought you knew better.
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