Message-ID: <65dab557@news.ausics.net>
From: Computer Nerd Kev <not@telling.you.invalid>
Subject: DIY Electronic Vehicle Rust Prevention
Newsgroups: aus.electronics,aus.cars
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While looking into rust-proof paints, I stumbled upon the world of
electronic rust prevention gadgets:
https://www.erps.com.au/how-electronic-rust-protection-works/
https://endrust.com.au/products-services/Electronic-Rust-Protection/
https://nilrust.com.au/product-details/electronic-rustproofing/
etc.

Much like with the paints, the question is whether it works, or
whether it's just snake oil. It's supposed to use conductive pads
to create a static charge on the steel vehicle body by using the
paint as a dilectric layer forming a capacitor. The charge prevents
oxidation of the metal.

In this discussion it's mentioned that by relying on the paint to
form the dilectric, it won't work in areas where the paint is weak,
which is where rust would start anyway:
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/electronic-rust-protection-for-cars.13859/

Then again much of my trouble is from cavities in old vehicle
bodies rusting out from inside*. The paint on the outside is OK
until the rust eats right through, so would the electric charge
prevent that rust starting on the inner side?

This also says "There are to date no official reports which show
that cars with electronic rust proofing have less corrosion than
they would without the device":
https://www.autotrainingcentre.com/blog/truth-electronic-rust-protection/

On that basis I certainly wouldn't buy one at the prices these
systems are advertised at, but it seems they should be temptingly
easy to make, and maybe try out in some experiments.

I can't find any DIY designs online, but the specifications on this
page suggests that the electronics just make a 50V peak-to-peak AC
voltage at 12.5KHz which is applied to the adheasive contact pads
(copper tape?):
https://endrust.com.au/product/2-pad-cat-electronic-rust-protection-system/
  Input Voltage > 12V/24VDC
  Operating Voltage > 9V-32VDC
  Output Transformers > Two (2)
  Output Power (to each Pad) > 50Vpk-pk @ 12.5kHz
  Ground > Negative
  Current Draw > 25ma +/-

If that's all there is to it, then it shouldn't be hard to build my
own equivalent.

Anyone know of existing DIY projects or authoritative proof that it
doesn't (or does!) work?

* Waxy cavity coatings like this were actually what I was
  investigating when I stumbled onto these gizmos:
  http://www.septone.com.au/product/l/rustproof-4l

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