SilverMAX Colloidal Silver Generator README
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This directory has the open source SilverMAX Generator software, board layouts, schematics, and parts list.

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|  LINKS  |
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For the latest updates by the original author of this project visit:
http://morgandemers.com/silvermax-colloidal-silver-generator/

For a video of the building of this generator visit:
http://youtu.be/VICuxnBDLEU

For a blog post outlining the build visit:
http://morgandemers.com/make-the-silvermax-colloidal-silver-generator/

Author: Morgan Demers

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| LICENSE |
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This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/.

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| Introduction |
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My mother in-law was getting into the use of Colloidal Silver as a healing salve for cuts and even burns. Silver is known to have antiseptic properties and if you are into the use of Colloidal Silver you will quickly realize that it is fairly expensive to purchase from a health food store. There are silver generators available all over the internet, and though these are simple devices their prices range from $200-$400. That being said the goal of this project was to design an advanced Colloidal Siver Generator that would provide all the features / functionality of the top of the line generators currently on the market at an extremely low cost.

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| Dependencies |
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Software:

The software was written for the Microchip PIC12F510 Microcontroller, and was developed in the MPLAB X IDE for the Microchip XC8 compiler ( free / lite version ).

I use a PICkit2 to program the Controller. I'd imagine a PICkit3 would work fine as well...

Hardware:

The Board Layouts & Schematics are all done in the free / lite version of Eagle 6.1.0. 

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| Prerequisites |
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In order to build the SilverMAX Generator you will need some skills / tools. You should have some experience with etching your own printed circuit boards, soldering on components, etc... I've made a point to not use SMD components to make it a bit easier for those who might have through-hole experience, but not SMD. The boards are also single sided.

To get the software onto the controller you will need a PICkit2 ( or PICkit3 ) programmer. At the very least you will need the PICkit2 programmer software to install the 'hex' file in the Sofware Directory, or you will need the MPLAB IDE with C18 compiler installed to build the project and program the Controller.

To print the board layouts you will need Eagle v6.1.0 ( or newer ), though PDF versions of all the needed files are also included in the 'Hardware' directory. You should simply be able to use these files if you do not need to make any modifications to the design.

I've made a point to design the SilverMAX Generator within the limitations of the free versions of MPLAB X, XC8 Compiter, Eagle v6.1.0, and thus you should not have to buy any software to get this project to work.

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| Directories & Files |
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LICENSE.txt - contains the license for this piece of software & hardware. Please read, open source though not for commercial use. If making modifications maintain changelog, and please leave the names of prior authors, and url to original source ( http://morgandemers.com/?page_id=954 )

README.txt - this file

Parts_List.xls - Excel Spreadsheet of all the parts required to build the SilverMAX Generator

Parts_List.csv - CSV version of Excel Sheet if you don't have Excel

'Software' folder - Contains the PIC12F510 XC8 software for the SilverMAX. Load the MPLAB X project file, or you can find pre-compiled HEX file that you could download directly to the Controller board.

'Hardware' folder - Contains all Eagle v6.1.0 Schematics & Board Layouts for this project

Hardware/silver_generator_v1.{sch|brd} - Main Controller & Interface Schematic / Board. There are pdf versions of all the required printouts as well.

Hardware/fan_placement.{brd|pdf} - enclosure mounting holes for 80mm fan

Hardware/laser_mount.{brd|pdf} - laser mount & enclosure mouting holes for laser mount

Documents/Instructions.doc - Basic User Instruction Manual for the SilverMAX Generator

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| Putting It All Together |
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The Circuit Boards were all made at home using the Toner Transfer Method. I've had great success with standard Magazine Paper and a cheap Laminator that I purchased at Costco. I use Ferric Chloride to etch my boards, and have had no problem doing so.

Both the 'Interface' and 'Controller' boards are included in the 'silver_generator_v1.brd' file. You can either etch a single board, or cut the printout into two separate boards. I like using two separate boards as it is very easy to mount the interface board to the face of the enclosure, being secured by the nuts on the switches.

Below is a brief overview of the steps required to build this generator using the included files. A better starting point would be to checkout the 'Video' or 'Blog Post' links above which go into the build of this device in much more detail.

Step 1: Etch the boards
Step 2: Populate the boards with the components
Step 3: Test Electronics w/ 12VDC Fan
Step 4: Create the Magnetic Stirrer ( 12vdc fan with rare earth magnets )
Step 5: Use templates to drill mounting holes in the enclosure
Step 6: Put the electronics into the enclosure
Step 7: Drill holes in #7 Flask Stopper for 14gauge 99.99% 5" pure silver wires
Step 8: Solder aligator clips to electrode wires
Step 9: Create a laser mount
Step 10: Mount laser mount to enclosure
Step 11: Final Tests

For instructions on use checkout the 'Instructions.doc' file in the 'Documents' folder.