Hello! An intro and an idea?!

Hi everyone. I am not a scrapper by ideals. I prefer reappropriation of old, refurbishment if possible. But with the quality of most modern items I usually end up in the area that presents scrapping as my only way out! I bill myself as follows:


ORIGIN


tinrat [ tin-rat ] noun,


1.) Don tinrat (the one and only. A limited edition original. No copies! No clones! And as folks get to know me, I
bet most think, “Oh thank goodness for that!!!!”


2.) Hoarder/Gatherer/ReAppropriator... or a **** junk collector.....your call!


I’ve been into recycling and have a few adventures under my belt. I have done alternative fuels in the past and it looks like I am going to have to get vested in that venue again!
So I do do a bit of junking but I want to open a new avenue to my madness, (as if I need more projects).
I am totally new to escrap Reclaimation. I have opportunities to gather E-scrap from here and there. So now I'm intrigued with the thoughts of recycling precious metals! I hope to start by experimenting with silver and gold refining.
I see how cherry picking process can work and hope to gain knowledge of this separation. I have several ideas that I need constructive criticism and input on.
After the “picking” harvest, could one use electrolysis to dissolve other remaining metals off the boards or wire or what have you in leftover scrap? Here is my reason for this:
I have a wind generator I recently acquired. I don’t wish to try to harvest electricity to run my shop as there are many more costs and requirements I haven’t the budget or inclination to try. But it can be set up to deliver a constant (most times) source of electrical energy. By utilizing this I could dissolve copper and what have you, this would be a relatively cheap use of energy. I could then cement the metals out of solution. Further refining could be administered if needed. I have many thoughts on this as a process but have no formal education.
Some more thoughts:
What might I use as a cheap and easily replenish-able electrolyte?
I am not trying to make a living off this but would like to see if this might be done in an economic fashion. Any and all criticism or promotion of said idea would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Don tinrat

Copper parting cell uses sulfuric acid with copper sulphate as the electrolyte, you'll get decent mileage from it but eventually it will become contaminated with other metal ions which will hinder its performance.

From Ammens, Refining Precious Metals.

A typical copper-refining acid bath, in miniature, would be: 250 grams per liter of copper sulphate, and 75 grams per liter of sulfuric acid; a bath operating temperature of 70° to 120°F; a voltage of 6 to 8 volts; and a current density in amperes of from 20 to 100 amperes per square foot of cathode surface.

Copper from the crude copper anode goes into solution and the positive ions of pure copper ( C u ) are carried over to the cathode by electromotive force through the electrolyte, where they are neutralized

https://i.postimg.cc/PxDbS30C/cell.png