Hello Dave;
I use a five gallon bucket of water with one pound of salt dissolved in to act as the electrolyte. I believe the sodium and chlorine are deposited on opposite electrodes as chemical compounds, but most of it simply stays in solution. If the sodium and chlorine came out of solution, the values of voltage and amperage wouldn't stabilize. Instead, one electrode is consumed and the other isn't. The oxygen and hydrogen evolve at opposite electrodes. The electrodes are copper/steel plates that are welded test plates that didn't pass radiography. They are suspended from a wooden rod across the top of the bucket of water. I control the voltage and amperage by moving the copper plates closer or further apart in the brine. It is interesting to note that the weld deposit between the carbon steel and copper is the first component to be consumed.
The diesel welder will "wet stack" if it isn't worked hard enough and carbon deposits can build up in the cylinders. The heavy load produced by the current passing from one plate to the other puts a good load on the engine so it heats up and burns the carbon out. The engine really growls under the load.
The kids get a kick out of the explosive fire ball produced when I touch the two copper plates together to ignite the hydrogen and oxygen gases. It drives the neighbor's dog crazy. Great fun, this welding game!
Happy holidays and Merry Christmas!
Best regards - Al