Building a retrobriting tank

[Methanoid]

OK, new thread cos I suspect many people will not follow the massive RB thread and this is specific about building a tank for retrobriting by submersion (I think cream is dangerous to achieve a uniform finish, certainly with some retro plastics)

Requirements

1. Size/capacity
   
   I suggest should be able to fit an Amiga 500 (and hence Atari ST) case. Apart from monitors, what other machines should define tank size? Ideally I think tank needs to be a little bigger but not massive if you intend to fill with peroxide without it being super diluted or slow to heat
   
   Let's also consider available (readily) containers (eg Really Useful boxes etc) and are they suitable for up to 60C use?
   .
2. Heating
   
   Some kind of kettle heater element I guess - Ideally cheap as we won't be heating water but peroxide solution which probably isn't good (long term) for the element
   .
3. Temperature monitoring
   
   We need a circuit to monitor the liquid temp (not next to the heater) and to control the heater so it doesn't overheat
   .
4. Fluid flow
   
   Some sort of fish pond pump to circulate the liquid. Not massive capacity but you want to mix the liquid around so one end is not hotter than the other
   .
5. Timers
   
   Override to switch system off after X hours
   .

So let's have a discussion of this, suggestions for parts (links fine) and links to similar systems and see if we can find a good balance. I have a friend with his own (I could copy) but interested to see the collective wisdom of EAB and maybe (not promising to) build one?

[DDNI]

What temp is required? Maybe a heated wrap for the tank rather than an element?

[Methanoid]

Originally Posted by DDNI

What temp is required? Maybe a heated wrap for the tank rather than an element?

I think consensus seems to be 55C.

Not sure how you'd make a heated wrap (but I did wonder if wrapping the heating element in something metallic might increase longevity vs allow peroxide direct contact

[Cymru]

I used a Sous Vide setup with my last batch of key caps and drive faceplates, and it seemed a simpler solution than building one from scratch

[Jolabandola]

Is heat really necessary? In the tank i use, the uv lamp provides some heat to the peroxide and it seems to be enough.

[MrClump]

I’ve been using a sous vide wand bought from eBay for about £45 for keycaps and it works great. I put the peroxide and keys into a ziplok bag which I then immerse in the heated water. I reckon you could use a couple of wands in a larger container.

For keycaps I’ve found that immersion and heat is much better than uv as you get totally even coverage.

[Methanoid]

But what about full case? Anyone using bags for that?

I don't think sous vide would have issue with more water (just slower to reach temp).

[pandy71]

PCB heatbead, protected by some silicone rubber/teflon foil/capton film should be ok.
https://reprap.org/wiki/PCB_Heatbed - temp sensor and control can be integrated.