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Pete, I've never used lye, I've used other stuff. I would not think the lye would wear out so much as your electrolyte solution may get contaminated (grease, oils, ect...) You have good "electrical contact" with both the parts to be cleaned and the rebar electrodes (plural? How many?). Are the parts to be cleaned, free of oil, grease and paint? Have you changed parts to be cleaned recently, that would have preceeded the dropping amperage? Have you tried to move electrodes closer to the parts to be cleaned? What amperage did you start at? Was this a gradual or a rapid decrease in current draw? Have you tried to hook up a clean electrode in place of the parts, to see if that will draw current? It would be easier to be there and see the entire setup. I know from industrial experience, that caustic solutions can stratify, a very stronger solution at the bottom of the vat, the top 60 to 70% of level a weak solution. Could your solution have stratified? Can you provide some means to mix the solution without splashing it around? HTH ATW/WA
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