- Joined
- May 19, 2004
- Messages
- 32
I know that the ROP is kind of old thought and everything, but I was just looking around and saw several posts asking about how to make one. I copied a post that I wrote awhile ago on another forum, where I am one of the mods. It is a piece of cake to make, and you can make three of them for around $22. It really makes no sense to buy one. Like I said, kind of old stuff, but if your interested give this a read, and you will find everything that you need to know about making one. Accordingly, the following is my post.
I have tried to summarize Tom Hubbard's and Supra's posts in one post to try and answer several different ROP questions that I have been receiving. Plus, I have added a few observations and comments related to my own experience with the ROP.
Construction:
Order the 6 inch Corrosion Inhibitor Rod with Plug from McMaster-Carr The part number is 3606K1. This rod is +99% zinc with a brass plug. Cut off the brass plug, use a hack saw, and cut the zinc rod into three 2 inch pieces. The rod is $6.54 plus shipping.
Obtain 3/8 inch OD, outside diameter, refrigerator (food) grade copper tubing. Again this is a tube, a solid copper rod does not improve the current created by the ROP. This usually comes in approx. 10 foot lengths as part of an ice maker installation kit. These are sold at most hardware stores for about $10 to $12. Cut three 2 inch pieces of copper tubing. Obviously, you will have a lot of extra tubing. This can also be purchased from Mcmaster. It is called Multipurpose Alloy 122 copper tubing. The part number is 8967K4.
Obtain 1/4 inch ID, inside diameter, latex hose. You can find this at Lowe's for a $1.40 per foot. I bought a 10 foot length at Menards for $9.95. This can also be ordered from McMaster. The part number is 5234K44. Having a little extra doesn't hurt. If you have a reaction to the latex, try to find 1/4 inch ID silicon hose. The silicon hose is a little harder to find, but, if you need it, try an auto parts store. My ROP fit best when I cut the latex hose into 3 inch lengths. You might need 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 inch lengths. Buying a little extra hose allows you to experiment. Some people have found that using two different lengths provides a better fit.
These materials will allow you to build three ROPs. This allows you to change ROPs and clean the used one later. This is very handy when you are on vacation.
Assemble:
Insert about 3/8 inch of the metal rod into the latex tubing. When you feel comfortable with the fit, buy some superglue gel, and glue the metal rod to the latex hose. Until you glue it make sure you wear some sort of underware briefs. The rods tend to separate from the hose and it is very easy to lose, or embarrass yourself in front of someone when the parts clang on the floor.
Maintenance:
Buy a package of fine or ultra fine steel wool at any hardware store. At least once a week steel wool the metal rods. Typically the voltage begins to drop after 3 or 4 days. A little soap and water will keep the latex tubing clean.
Measurement:
It is absolutely unnecessary to measure the voltage. The current is created by the ion movement from a basic metal, zinc, to a precious metal, copper. This ion movement is created by the connection with your body, and it will happen. But, if your like me, you just want to know what's happening. I purchased a Gardner Bender Multimeter, GDT-200A. This is a digital model that sells for $28.73 @ Menards. I have seen it sell for $38 at Ace Hardware. GB makes some cheaper units for about $15 to $20. You want to turn the switch to the DCV (DC Voltage) setting for 2 volts or 2000 mV. This model has 3 female inputs. One input is labled 10 ADC, do not use this for plugging in your leads. This is used for measuring the amperage of a car battery. Use the VQMA and Com inputs. The moisture content of your skin affects the voltage, and if you have been sweating that will affect it. If you measure when things are a little wet, after a shower for example, you should get a reading of 600 to 800 mV (.6 to .8 volts). A perfectly dry measure will typically be around 300 to 400 mV. There is no absolute measurement because your body is part of the electical instrument.
If you want to experiment, a magnesium rod is a basic metal that could replace the zinc. A post by m3hell suggested replacing the copper rod with a silver rod, a precious metal. I don't know where to get a silver rod, but m3hell stated that he could get them. If your interested in a silver rod, a PM to m3hell might get you somewhere. Do you need to use something other than zinc and copper? NO!
Use:
Wear the ROP 24/7. At night, rotate it so the metal is top and bottem, during the day have the latex on the top and bottem. Personally I do it a little different. My approach is at night copper on the right, and then reverse it during the day. The whole point is to change the copper and skin contact area. It does not matter which side the zinc or copper is on if you follow Supra or Hubbard's approach. The zinc and copper should not touch each other. This will negate the voltage.
I hope this summary helps someone with their ROP project.
turtlechan
I have tried to summarize Tom Hubbard's and Supra's posts in one post to try and answer several different ROP questions that I have been receiving. Plus, I have added a few observations and comments related to my own experience with the ROP.
Construction:
Order the 6 inch Corrosion Inhibitor Rod with Plug from McMaster-Carr The part number is 3606K1. This rod is +99% zinc with a brass plug. Cut off the brass plug, use a hack saw, and cut the zinc rod into three 2 inch pieces. The rod is $6.54 plus shipping.
Obtain 3/8 inch OD, outside diameter, refrigerator (food) grade copper tubing. Again this is a tube, a solid copper rod does not improve the current created by the ROP. This usually comes in approx. 10 foot lengths as part of an ice maker installation kit. These are sold at most hardware stores for about $10 to $12. Cut three 2 inch pieces of copper tubing. Obviously, you will have a lot of extra tubing. This can also be purchased from Mcmaster. It is called Multipurpose Alloy 122 copper tubing. The part number is 8967K4.
Obtain 1/4 inch ID, inside diameter, latex hose. You can find this at Lowe's for a $1.40 per foot. I bought a 10 foot length at Menards for $9.95. This can also be ordered from McMaster. The part number is 5234K44. Having a little extra doesn't hurt. If you have a reaction to the latex, try to find 1/4 inch ID silicon hose. The silicon hose is a little harder to find, but, if you need it, try an auto parts store. My ROP fit best when I cut the latex hose into 3 inch lengths. You might need 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 inch lengths. Buying a little extra hose allows you to experiment. Some people have found that using two different lengths provides a better fit.
These materials will allow you to build three ROPs. This allows you to change ROPs and clean the used one later. This is very handy when you are on vacation.
Assemble:
Insert about 3/8 inch of the metal rod into the latex tubing. When you feel comfortable with the fit, buy some superglue gel, and glue the metal rod to the latex hose. Until you glue it make sure you wear some sort of underware briefs. The rods tend to separate from the hose and it is very easy to lose, or embarrass yourself in front of someone when the parts clang on the floor.
Maintenance:
Buy a package of fine or ultra fine steel wool at any hardware store. At least once a week steel wool the metal rods. Typically the voltage begins to drop after 3 or 4 days. A little soap and water will keep the latex tubing clean.
Measurement:
It is absolutely unnecessary to measure the voltage. The current is created by the ion movement from a basic metal, zinc, to a precious metal, copper. This ion movement is created by the connection with your body, and it will happen. But, if your like me, you just want to know what's happening. I purchased a Gardner Bender Multimeter, GDT-200A. This is a digital model that sells for $28.73 @ Menards. I have seen it sell for $38 at Ace Hardware. GB makes some cheaper units for about $15 to $20. You want to turn the switch to the DCV (DC Voltage) setting for 2 volts or 2000 mV. This model has 3 female inputs. One input is labled 10 ADC, do not use this for plugging in your leads. This is used for measuring the amperage of a car battery. Use the VQMA and Com inputs. The moisture content of your skin affects the voltage, and if you have been sweating that will affect it. If you measure when things are a little wet, after a shower for example, you should get a reading of 600 to 800 mV (.6 to .8 volts). A perfectly dry measure will typically be around 300 to 400 mV. There is no absolute measurement because your body is part of the electical instrument.
If you want to experiment, a magnesium rod is a basic metal that could replace the zinc. A post by m3hell suggested replacing the copper rod with a silver rod, a precious metal. I don't know where to get a silver rod, but m3hell stated that he could get them. If your interested in a silver rod, a PM to m3hell might get you somewhere. Do you need to use something other than zinc and copper? NO!
Use:
Wear the ROP 24/7. At night, rotate it so the metal is top and bottem, during the day have the latex on the top and bottem. Personally I do it a little different. My approach is at night copper on the right, and then reverse it during the day. The whole point is to change the copper and skin contact area. It does not matter which side the zinc or copper is on if you follow Supra or Hubbard's approach. The zinc and copper should not touch each other. This will negate the voltage.
I hope this summary helps someone with their ROP project.
turtlechan
