ULTRA SERIES: Features
ADJUSTABLE PLATING CURRENT
Rotex Ultra series silver recovery units have power selection switches to adjust the plating current. This allows the plating current to be set for the optimized silver recovery over a broad range of conditions. In practice the current is set as high as possible without causing the deposited silver to become too dark.
ROTATING CATHODE
Rotex Ultra series units feature a motor-driven cathode to continuously renew the silver ion in the liquid contacting the cathode, also called the cathode 'junction'. Without agitation of the solution the junction would be quickly depleted o its sliver ions and undesirable chemical reactions would occur. The rotating cathode allows for a compact machine and was pioneeed, patented and became the basis of the name 'Rotex'.
DIRECT DRIVE
Rotex Ultra series units use direct-drive gearmotors without belts, gears, drivers, bushings, or other components which require service or replacement. The gearmotor shaft is sealed so that fumes from the fixer will not enter the electrical enclosure.
POWER SUPPLY
The power supply features a center-tapped transformer that is wound for low impedance and cool, efficient operation. The plating current is rectified from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) by a full-wave center tap bridge rectifier that operates more efficiently (makes less heat) than other types of rectifiers. The full-wave center tap bridge rectifier s cooled by a fan that also draws fresh air into the power supply enclosure, thus ensuring long life. An ammeter is featured to indiate the plating current in 'Amperes' and a circuit breaker is provided for convenient protection - no fuses to replace ever!
CATHODE CONNECTION
Plating current is applied to the cathode shaft by a unique contact arrangement using high silver content contacts for exceptionally long life...no brushes to replace or slip rings to oxidize! The Rotex exclusive contact system was pioneered over 30 years ago and conintues in its improved form to be the most effective method yet designed. This superior contact arrangement allows Rotex Silver Recovery machines to operate at higher cathode speeds for superior silver plating performance.
SILVER VALUE
Silver plated onto the Rotex Ultra cathode may be easily dried and 'cracked' and removed from the cathode as 'photographic chip' or 'flake'. It may be easily smelted into pure silver as its purty is usually 95% or better. By contrast, 'coin' silver is 90% silver and 10% copper. It is not unusual for clean, dry chip and flake o be sold for 85 to 87% of its commodity value. Large amounts may be valued as high as 92%. The commodity value of silver is listed in nearly all daily newspapers.
Silver trapped in steel wool canisters, on the other hand, is in a 'sludge' of unknown concentration. The sludge requird special fluxes to smelt and thus has far less value than clean, dry chip and flake. Also, a sample must be assayed to determine the silver concentation. Because of the assay charge and higher smelting cost, the value of the trapped silver in the sludge may or may not offset the cost of the canister and the freight. Regardless, use of the steel wool canister is recommended to satisfy codes. Violators may be penalized on a 'per day' basis.
Rotex Ultra series silver recovery units have power selection switches to adjust the plating current. This allows the plating current to be set for the optimized silver recovery over a broad range of conditions. In practice the current is set as high as possible without causing the deposited silver to become too dark.
ROTATING CATHODE
Rotex Ultra series units feature a motor-driven cathode to continuously renew the silver ion in the liquid contacting the cathode, also called the cathode 'junction'. Without agitation of the solution the junction would be quickly depleted o its sliver ions and undesirable chemical reactions would occur. The rotating cathode allows for a compact machine and was pioneeed, patented and became the basis of the name 'Rotex'.
DIRECT DRIVE
Rotex Ultra series units use direct-drive gearmotors without belts, gears, drivers, bushings, or other components which require service or replacement. The gearmotor shaft is sealed so that fumes from the fixer will not enter the electrical enclosure.
POWER SUPPLY
The power supply features a center-tapped transformer that is wound for low impedance and cool, efficient operation. The plating current is rectified from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) by a full-wave center tap bridge rectifier that operates more efficiently (makes less heat) than other types of rectifiers. The full-wave center tap bridge rectifier s cooled by a fan that also draws fresh air into the power supply enclosure, thus ensuring long life. An ammeter is featured to indiate the plating current in 'Amperes' and a circuit breaker is provided for convenient protection - no fuses to replace ever!
CATHODE CONNECTION
Plating current is applied to the cathode shaft by a unique contact arrangement using high silver content contacts for exceptionally long life...no brushes to replace or slip rings to oxidize! The Rotex exclusive contact system was pioneered over 30 years ago and conintues in its improved form to be the most effective method yet designed. This superior contact arrangement allows Rotex Silver Recovery machines to operate at higher cathode speeds for superior silver plating performance.
SILVER VALUE
Silver plated onto the Rotex Ultra cathode may be easily dried and 'cracked' and removed from the cathode as 'photographic chip' or 'flake'. It may be easily smelted into pure silver as its purty is usually 95% or better. By contrast, 'coin' silver is 90% silver and 10% copper. It is not unusual for clean, dry chip and flake o be sold for 85 to 87% of its commodity value. Large amounts may be valued as high as 92%. The commodity value of silver is listed in nearly all daily newspapers.
Silver trapped in steel wool canisters, on the other hand, is in a 'sludge' of unknown concentration. The sludge requird special fluxes to smelt and thus has far less value than clean, dry chip and flake. Also, a sample must be assayed to determine the silver concentation. Because of the assay charge and higher smelting cost, the value of the trapped silver in the sludge may or may not offset the cost of the canister and the freight. Regardless, use of the steel wool canister is recommended to satisfy codes. Violators may be penalized on a 'per day' basis.