Rectifier question

[tl1965]

Greetings all,

I am setting up my Nickel plating kit and was wondering about my power supply. Would I be able to use/modify a transformer from an HO model train?

Thank you- Hoosier Tom

[bhhodges]

what size is your nickel kit


bill

[tl1965]

Bill,

Thanks for the reply. It is either 1 or 1.5 gallon kit. I got it about 6 months ago. I'm doing a 60's Honda race bike replica project. I'm plating hardware, springs, footpegs and sprocket. I've gotten far enough along that I need to start plating.

Tom

[bhhodges]

with a 1 gallon kit you will be better off with a small 10 amp variable rectifier,im not familiar with the train power supplies.


bill

[MrDmB]

I picked a power supply at an equipment auction today it came from a computer server. the power reads as: 1000 watt, 12v @ 15 amp, 5.5v @ 110 amp and 3.3v @75 amp. I was thinking of doing some Copy Chroming with it. What are your thoughs on this as a power supply? thanks in advance
d

[mcaswell]

Here is our latest power supply unit

0 -3 amp = approx 50 sq " surface area

Constant current -- 0 -15 volts

$95.00

Should be on the webpage any day

[MrDmB]

With all due respect, that didn't answer my question. I ordered a couple of kits and money is tight. If I could I would bye a power supply made for the job right from you. But at this point another $100.00+ is out of the question. All I want to do is get started, this is what I have to work with and I would really like to know if it will get me by until such time as I can afford to upgrade to designed hardware. I do appreciate you letting me know of up coming developments and will keep it in mine. I'm also in Canada and that unit will end up costing me $200.00. Product shipment in Canada was very quick and got what I was promised. I do look forward to a long working relationship with Caswell Canada. Thank You for Your time and understanding.
d

[MrDmB]

I would love to get something like that it would make life a lot simpler
d

[bhhodges]

ok lets assume your train power supply puts out 5 amps on the output side your going to have to plate an item thats has a square inch surface area of 25 square inches. if you try to plate anything smaller you--might--no you will burn the plating anything larger and you wont get an even coverage. plating calculations= surface area to be plated x .2 amps per square inch in nickel usually--25 sq. inches x .2amps= 5amps is required. if you order the plating video caswell has he even states the light bulb method is for someone how might plate every now and then. for me surface area calculations on complex items is hard enough and to add how many light bulbs id have to add or subtract also ----no thanks , then the hobby isnt fun anymore ok.


bill

[mcaswell]

The requirement for nickel & copy chrome is 1 amp per 16 sq", not 0.2 amps per sq"

There is a very good Flash Video on the webpage, which explains how to use light bulbs. This really is simple. It just needs some patience