Water for the electrolyzer

The electrolyzer that you use in your system needs distilled water. Distilled water is for the most part contaminant free. Municipal tap water usually contains chemical additives, and well water contains dissolved minerals which, over time will encrust the electrodes and impede the action of the electrolyzer, so neither of these is suitable for electrolyzers. Rain water or melted snow are second choices to distilled water, although there are still some contaminants in these as well. The water for an electrolyzer should be distilled, whether you buy it, or make it yourself. 

One of the best and most economical ways to distill water is with a solar water distiller. They are easy to make and, if you have the space, can supply some or all of the distilled water needed for the electrolyzer system. 

The illustration at right shows a very basic solar water distiller. 

The glass cover can be a used patio door or any other piece of glass (about door size). The box is easy to construct, and can be made of wood or metal. The water trough inside the distiller can also be made of wood, metal, or heat resistant plastic. Tubing should be silicone, and reservoirs and collection bottles etc. can be plastic or glass. The inside of the box 

Volunteers In Technical Assistance (VITA) has a booklet by W. R. Breslin titled Solar Still (available through PACT Publishing) which has instructions for building a solar heated distillation system. 

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