FAQ: LVDC Colloidal Silver Production
Low Voltage Direct Current

This document addresses some of the general questions regarding colloidal silver production via LVDC. Specifically, questions concerning the very basic generator via nine volt batteries are addressed, as well as a few tips for improving the production process.

LVDC Basic Colloidal Silver Generator

Does it really matter how many nine volt batteries are used in the nine volt battery generator?

Between two and four nine volt batteries are ideal. The four battery method is truly the most desirable configuration if there is no other circuitry involved. With the simple setup, one can gain more command over the electrolysis reaction by removing a battery at different intervals. This reduces the voltage and increases the actual production time.

As low as 1.5 volts can be used. Keep in mind, however, that the generation time is increased as the voltage is lowered.

If one is interested in improving the design, the next step would be to limit or control the actual current involved in the process ( between .7 and 20 milliamps ). The second step is to increase the water circulation via thermal heating, mechanical stirring, or water circulation. The third step is to employ properly executed reverse polarity. The fourth step is to eliminate air from the production process.

What kind of silver should be used in the generator? Silver Wire? Flat electrodes?

One is selling oneself short if one uses anything less than 14 gauge silver wire. The increased surface area ( often measured as total wetted depth ) provided by actual electrodes yields a far cleaner result.

Flat electrodes appear ideal at first glance since the surface area of the electrodes is far greater with the flat ends facing each other. However, the truth is that any physical change in the surface of the silver electrode changes the draw of silver, and misplacement of the flat silver electrodes rapidly degrades the process. The end result? A great increase in flaking and the deposit of large silver particles into the distilled water. The surface of the silver used, ideally, should be smooth with no jagged edges or "corners". Greater consideration for flat electrodes may be given with high capacity generator designs with superior engineering.

There is a link for affordable silver on our colloidal silver products page.

Many people recommend removing the silver during the process and wiping down the silver rods. Is this really good advice?

At best it should be considered a necessary evil. For a 5 PPM colloidal silver batch, there is NO need to do this if one follows the exact instructions in our tutorial. Use larger electrodes ( 14 gauge minimum ) rather than thin silver wire.

Every time the electrodes are removed, tiny flakes of metallic silver are deposited directly to the surface of the water. Also, as soon as the circuit is broken, oxidation begins to occur at both electrodes. A very fine silver powder can then be deposited into the water when the process is resumed.

The flakes or "sparklies" ( dentrites ) will not change the conductivity of the water or effect the rest of the batch, but the end result is still a lower quality product. If the dentrites on the silver electrode are large, cut the power and wait about two minutes for oxidation to set before removing the silver from the water. Then, slowly and gently remove the silver. When producing a batch exactly as shown in the tutorial, there is never any need to remove and reinsert the silver.

Should I preheat the distilled water just before making the colloidal silver?

Pre-heating the distilled water increases the water molecule activity and reduces production time. However, there is a possibility that as the water cools, agglomeration can occur. This would result in larger particles in the final product.

For special purposes, gradually heating the water to near boiling during production greatly increases water circulation and helps to prevent "sludge" buildup. The end product is vastly inferior. However, the increased particle content can be ideal to make highly volatile and reactive hydrogen peroxide and colloidal silver solutions. We only use this method, though, with current limiting technology.

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