Neewbie Problem HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chgraves]

I finally set up my anodizing system and I have a real problem and need your help. I have set everything up as per the manual. I have digital thermometers in my tanks so I know the temps are correct. I am using destilled water (tech support told me that was ok as that is all I can get here). I am trying to anodize aluminum yoyo halves. We have been trying one half at a time which has a total surface area of 12.57 sq in. I tried to get 8 mils at a 6 ASF. According to the 720 calculator I set my amps at for 60 minutes. I tried this also leaving it in up to 120 minutes when it wasn't working with lower numbers. I also tried varying the mils and AFM with different halves all to no avail. When the amps are set less than 1 the peice doesn't anodize or take any die at all (or tiny spots of color). When we accidently set the amps to 2 instead of .2 the peice did appear to anodize, but instead of turning black it turned a metallic purple color. When we tried the same thing again and left it in the die longer (25 min) it turned a blue green color. What am I doing wrong? The only thing that I can think of that is different from the instructions is that we are using a steel bolt attached between the aluminum wire and the aluminum yoyo half. I haven't been able to find a way to attach it to the string directly. Could this be the problem? Please help.

[sswee]

chgraves,
From what you've said, it appears you missed some things in the manual.
How were the yo-yo halves prepped? Did you strip them done to bare aluminum? Did they pass a water break test?
For a part with a SA of 12.57" sq. at 6ASF for .8 mil, I get a set amperage of .52A and a run time of 96 minutes.
Your attachment to the part is a major concern. You don't want steel in your electrolyte. The only metals allowed in the tank are lead, aluminum, and titanium. You can get aluminum bolts at HD to attach aluminum to the part.
You need to keep notes on your PS readings to help diagnose problems.
SS

[acidrain]

OK, a couple things... I calc'ed out your amperage requirements, and at 6 amps per sq. ft. (a good CD), you should ano for 120 minutes at .52amps to build 1mil. I don't know if you typed in wrong, or what, but you will not be able to build more than 1mil with typeII ano. Also, if you are going black, you definately want to build 1mil. For all other colors, .75mil should be good.
The wire connection is critical. DO NOT USE STEEL OF ANY SORT IN YOUR TANK. You may have ruined the acid. I would replace it just to be sure. Did you use the 1:3 battery acid/water ratio?
You need to use only aluminum as a connecting wire (or titanium). Bend the wire into a V, and wedge it in a hole, or twist it around an outside source. If you have to thread it into something, use aluminum bolts, or make your own by threading a rod.
Titanium wire works way better than aluminum, and is re-usable (aluminum is not).

Dang... Sswee beat me to it.

[chgraves]

OK I feel like a complete moron now. I found a way to wire it without the bolt and it worked like a charm. Even at .5 mil it anodyzed a gorgeous black. I guesse it was just the bolt. Thank you so much for your help. Now I get to finally have fun with my system.