First, you should decide what you want to achieve, meaning which final coating you want to apply.
The options are chrome, copper, nickel, and zinc.
Additionally, there are combination sets for copper/nickel, chrome/nickel, and a large set.
The chrome set is only available as a chrome/nickel combination because nickel plating is generally required before chrome plating, and the chrome layer is applied only thinly on top.
Copper under nickel is often advantageous as it significantly improves corrosion protection, helps to even out surface irregularities, or makes polishing easier.
The large set is ideal if you want to do everything.
Of course, you can repurpose any set later—just add the necessary electrolytes and anodes, and you can apply a different coating.
Next, the question is which power supply is needed. We offer a small one with a maximum of 3A and a more powerful one with 10A.
The decision depends on the size of the object to be plated. If you plan to coat larger items later, a powerful power supply (10A) is required. You will also need larger tanks and the corresponding electrolytes for bigger projects.
In electroplating, current density is a key factor, as each electrolyte has its own optimal range, specified in A/dm².
To calculate the required current, multiply the recommended current density for the specific electrolyte by the surface area of the workpiece in dm². The voltage adjusts automatically once the current is set using the current limiter (the voltage is automatically reduced until the selected current is reached).
In this table you can see the power required.
Electrolyte | Output current | ||
3A* | 5A* | 10A* | |
Chromium | 0,8 | 1,3 | 2,5 |
Copper acidic | 5 | 8,5 | 17 |
Copper alkaline | 15 | 25 | 50 |
Nickel | 10 | 17 | 34 |
Zinc | 12 | 20 | 40 |
Zinc-nickel | 3,3 | 5,5 | 11 |
* - Details of the maximum area to be coated in dm² at the lowest possible current density