PlatingPS-Jack H., Look at this baby!

[Gerard F.]

Just got it today and had to try it out:


It's a Kikusue PAB 8-5, 0-8 volts, 0-5 amps DC power supply. Perfect for small parts plating. Next to it in the picture is the battery charger I was using on a dimmer switch with erratic results.

The part hanging on the left is a 3810 secondary throttle shaft with only 10 minutes in the tank and with real cad (and a cold tank). The part hanging on the right is the primary throttle shaft which I haven't plated yet.

And it came with an untouched calibration tag, so I ran it through the paces with 2 Volt-Ohm meters. It was right on, and probably could be used to calibrate the VOMs. And best of all, after your tip, I got it on ebay at a cost of $29.00 delivered (NY to CA).

There are some deals on ebay, but unfortunately as I have found, not for Corvettes or Corvette parts. You darn restorers!

Does any one know where I can get a manual for this baby.

Still having fun.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Gerard F.]

Correct spelling: Kikusui PAB 8-5 *NM*

[Gerard F.]

Got a 20 page manual in 20 minutes.

Isn't this internet wonderful.

[Jack H.]

Re: Got a 20 page manual in 20 minutes.

Often, the DC output of battery chargers is NOT flat-DC. You need an oscilloscope to view the flatness of the waveform, as many simply full wave rectify AC leaving the DC output 'lumpy'.

I think you're going to enjoy your home plating system more now that you have a regulated power supply with BOTH voltage and current controls. Start by dialing up something like 5-6 VDC for your supply voltage, then crank the current control all the way down. Connect the target part to your cathode, immerse in electrolyte and tweak the current up until you JUST see the part bubbling.

The slower you plate, the more uniform the finish and less post-plating polish you'll have to do. The optimum plating current is a function of BOTH the surface area of the donor anode and the surface of the receptor cathode. So, the variable current control lets you hit the target on the money every time. ENJOY!