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Maintenance
Prior to each startup of the Learning Kit:
1. Check the overflow tray around the electrolyser, it should be dry.
2. If the electrolyser is leaking, call for details about service and replacement.
3. If the O2 side test tubes are overflowing then dry the tray and reduce the level of the vinegar on the O2 side.
4. Check the color of the vinegar, dump out the vinegar and replace it when it gets to be a pale red. Replace with red wine vinegar. (Red wine vinegar is used for the visual color change indicator it provides.)
5. Check to see that there is sufficient KOH in the electrolyser. (If not see the steps on adding water to the electrolyser.)
6. Make sure that the water catch after the H2 Storage Tower is not more than halfway up the test tube. Empty if needed.
7. Check the levels of the test tubes.
8. Check the water level in the H2 Storage Tower, add distilled water as needed. Do
not use tap water, if distilled water should happen to get in the fuel cell, it can be
saved, tap water may damage the membrane.
To add water to the electrolyser:
THE ELECTROLYSER CONTAINS KOH, AN EXTREMELY CAUSTIC SUBSTANCE. DO NOT LET KOH COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SKIN OR EYES. FOR SKIN CONTACT FLUSH WITH WATER AND THEN NUETRALIZE THE AREA WITH VINEGAR. FOR EYE CONTACT FLUSH WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER AND SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.
KOH IS NO MORE DANGEROUS THAN MANY HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS SUCH AS DRAIN CLEANER OR OVEN CLEANER. PROPER SAFETY PROCEDURES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED SUCH AS GLOVES AND GOGGLES.
1. Only use distilled water. Drinking water can be used if that is all that is available, tap water should never be used. The best water to use is reverse-osmosis, de-ionized water, as it is nearly pure water.
2. Use the 2 fl. oz. syringe provided. Pull enough water into the syringe to replenish the unit.
3. Remove the H2 side hose and connect the syringe to the nylon hose barb.
4. DO NOT REMOVE THE O2 SIDE HOSE, LEAVE IT CONNECTED TO THE TEST TUBES AND ELECTROLYSER. REMOVING THE O2 SIDE TEST TUBE MAY ALLOW KOH TO SPLASH OUT AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY.
5. Slowly push the syringe plunger and fill the unit.
6. Watch for bubbles to come out of the O2 side test tube.
7. Before removing the syringe pull the plunger out to near its original position while making sure not to pull back too far and pull vinegar from the O2 side into the electrolyser. This will remove any pressure and create a slight vacuum so no KOH is forced out when the syringe is removed.
8. Remove the syringe and replace the H2 hose.
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