How to Build an HHO

Chemistry is the science of finding answers through the elements around you.

HHO, or oxyhydrogen (sometimes referred to as dihydrogen monoxide), is a gas formed from water using electrolysis. This flammable gas fuels everything, from cutting torches to automobiles and can be produced with an efficient electrolytic cell. Making a simple electrolytic cell at home can be done with the proper tools, a little time and the proper understanding of the process.

Things You'll Need

• Glass cylinder (3-inch diameter by 6 inches in length)
• 2 silver quarters (made before 1964)
• 2 jumper leads (small alligator clips on either side of 24-gauge wire)
• Rubber stopper (1/4-inch hole in center)
• Wire cutters
• Wire stripping tool
• Lawn mower battery

Instructions

1. Fill your glass cylinder 3/4 full of water. Clip a quarter onto each jumper lead. Lower the quarters into the water, placing one on each side of the cylinder. Place a stopper onto the cylinder to hold the wires firmly in place.

2. Cut the exposed clip off of both wires with wire cutters. Remove 2 inches of wire from the cut ends of each wire with a wire stripping tool.

3. Wrap one stripped wire around the negative post of the battery. Make a loop around the negative terminal and wrap the wire around itself to tighten it to the post. Connect the last wire tightly to the positive post in the same manner.

4. Watch the water in the cylinder for bubbles forming at each quarter. The quarter producing the least amount of bubbles is emitting oxygen gas. The other quarter will produce twice as many bubbles of hydrogen gas. The gases will combine and escape from the hole in the rubber stopper as HHO.

Tips & Warnings

• HHO gas is extremely flammable and explosive. Do not do this experiment in the presence of open flames, sparks or lit cigarettes.

References

• Flap Doodle Dinghy: HHO Generator