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<metadesc>How to make a homemade water test kit</metadesc>



{{WIP}}




How to make a cheap water test kit,this wont have the accuracy of the well known version but is more portable than a manometer.
The accuracy is reliant on the quailty of the gauges bought.

[[File:KN_water_test_kit_005.jpg|600px|thumb|left|fully assembled]]




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==Parts list==
*1/4" pressure gauge 0-15 psi
*1/4" pressure gauge 0-100 psi
*1/4" Y piece
*1/4" Ball valve
*Bicycle "presta" valve
*1/4" male stopend
*2 x 43mm solvent weld access plugs
*43mm solvent weld joiner
*Small plastic cap/cup
*Small marble
*Viton O ring
Instead of the presta valve and 0-15 gauge you can use a low pressure gauge designed for motorcycle forks which has a button
for releasing the pressure

total cost roughly £20 (dependent on gauges used)


===Assembly instuctions===
*Put the plumbing together as in the photo with the low pressure gauge on the valved side
*Drill a hole in the stopend
*Weld both access plugs to the joiner
*Weld one screw cap on
*Drill two holes in the unwelded cap,one for the male stopend,one for the presta valve
*Fit the stopend through the hole into the Y piece and seal (i used araldite)
*Fit the valve using two of the round nuts that stop the valve creeping and seal
*Replace the rubber seal in the lid with a Viton one
*Glue the small cap to the inside about 3/4" down
*Drop in the marble





===Second sub-heading here===

<gallery caption="Click pictures to enlarge" widths="300px" heights="300px" perrow="2" align="center">
File:KN_water_test_kit_003.jpg|Gauge assembled
File:KN_water_test_kit_001.jpg|Inside view
</gallery>

==Ingredients==
The reagent
Dry solvent

This kit will work with Calcium Hydride (CaH2) and Calcium Carbide (CaC2)as the reagent,the Hydride gives a quicker result and produces more gas (hydrogen) but is hard to source whereas Carbide is available from a well known auction site (£15/500g @4/2011 )
For a dry solvent you can use petrol or white spirits




===The idea===
The idea is that any water in the test liquid will react with the calcium and produce a gas (hydrogen),the pressure created is registered on the gauges
The dry solvent dilutes the test liquid and allows any water present to get to the reagent quicker



===The method===
With my one shown above ive found that 35ml of test liquid and 10ml of dry solvent combined with 7gr of Calcium Carbide is an ideal amount.
I grind 7 grammes of calcium and place in the small holder inside then put the two liquids into the vessel,screw the lid on and invert and shake (the marble helps the mixing action)there should be an immediate showing on the lower gauge,keep and eye on the gauge and if it looks like its going to go off the scale shut the valve to the lower gauge and read off the higher one
Take the reading at a set amount of time and try to keep the temp of the tests as constant as posible
The one shown will give a reading from 11 psi with dry oil upto 80 psi with a water content of 4000 ppm
The cycle valve is for releasing a fast rising pressure or when finished
This type of valve has a knurled nut which i leave undone so if the pressure starts to rise too high it can be released by touching a implement such as a screwdriver to it (DO NOT USE YOUR FINGER)

===Calibrating===
Obviously the more accurate you are with this the better the accuracy of the finished kit
I used new vegetable oil and distilled water to make up various PPM mixes and plotted the result on a graph,this is then used when test your liquid,make sure the vessel is cleaned well between tests

===Warning===
Do not use on a liquid that is obviously wet,i have taken mine above 80psi and when it reaches its limit the gas escapes from the threaded cap BUT there is a danger it could explode at high pressures

HYDROGEN a highly explosive gas is made using this kit

<gallery caption="Click pictures to enlarge" widths="300px" heights="300px" perrow="2" align="center">
File:inside.jpg|View of inside the cap
File:Back.jpg|rear view
</gallery>

==See also==
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* Link within this wiki here
* Link within this wiki here


==References==
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==Further reading==
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==External links==
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