Leaving pcb in etchant.

[Milotic]

Hi guys.

i just did a few pcb's using toner transfer with kodak gloss paper and it worked fine.
After doing a few pcb's all the peroxide got depleted.  Now I'm stuck with an acidic copper solution that doesnt etch very well.
Could i leave the PCB in the etchant solution overnight until i get some peroxide tomorrow, or should i take it out and store it water or something.
My aim is to let the Hcl dissolve all the exposed copper, but i doubt it will work.
Also has anyone tried doing pcb etching by electrolysis means.  By attaching the pcb with a crocodile clip and using it as a sacrificial anode.

[diydave]

What I do is just add some more peroxide.
Leaving a pcb in the etchant for to long will cause it to affect the toner and eventually eat through it. I tried it once (not for that long, but maybe half an hour or so), and I got left with an not-usable board.

[darron]

i've tried the method of mixing peroxide a few times.... as far as i can see it doesn't extend the life of the etchant at all... also, don't leave it sitting around exposed as things nearby wil corrode SUPER quick (IE washing machine, sinks, circuit boards inside devices).

if you are just mixing a hydrochloric acid with peroxide and you want to get the board done then you could just mix some HC down with water and it will etch just as well, except the peroxide won't theoretically extend the life (which doesn't seem to happen anyway). it's cheap as to buy anyway compared to ferric chloride etc. the peroxide costs more per volume than the hydochloric!

i guess though if you wanted to go tomorrow it should be safe to take it out and wash it to continue. i wouldn't want to leave it in overnight...

[MikeH]

If etchant doesn't work fast, it doesn't work at all.  When left in for a long time, the etchant (weak as it may be) will under cut your resist and cause it to lift, ruining your board.

[Milotic]

I think i left some of the pcb's under for too long.  The copper tracks were there, but they weren't smooth.  They seemed kinda rough.
Would this still be classed as usable?

Image here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54529948@N07/5359752670/

[darron]

i suppose if you put solder over the whole board like a vintage board then you couldn't possibly have a problem.

you can get your DMM out and check continuity between all the points.


i like the solder idea though

[Milotic]

i originally thought of using the multimeter, but mine died.  dam those cheapies.
But the solder idea is awesome, thanks for that.