Click for Abeking Click for Cross Click for Walker Click for Westport Click for JetForums

Zinc / Magnesium / Aluminum - Anodes

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by W. Arthur, Jun 24, 2011.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
Page 2 of 2
  1. Capt J, Jul 10, 2011
    #21
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2005
    Messages:
    14,530
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Along with zinc anodes, the saltwater package was freshwater cooled, versus the raw water cooled that came standard at the time.
  2. W. Arthur, Jul 10, 2011
    #22
    W. Arthur

    W. Arthur New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2011
    Messages:
    70
    Location:
    SF Bay and Delta
    Marmot - TY for input on aluminum and zinc. As per info learned so far; I feel currently boating year round in fresh water with inboard through hull shaft that I should change all anodes to magnesium next go round (instead of the zinc I currently use and fastidiously wire brush to keep its surface clean). Do you feel the mag is a better “next choice” anode for my inboard than aluminum... AND... should mag be wire brushed on a regular basis, similar to zinc? Seeing as my pencil anodes in engines and water heater are also zinc, should they too be changed to mag? Any input you may provide re mag and pencil anodes is appreciated. Happy boating!! W.
  3. W. Arthur, Jul 10, 2011
    #23
    W. Arthur

    W. Arthur New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2011
    Messages:
    70
    Location:
    SF Bay and Delta
    FISH - Corrosionist link you provided has some deep insight via its numerous links. Will take a bit of time for full review/understanding. Again... Thanks for supplying that link! - :D W.
  4. Marmot, Jul 11, 2011
    #24
    Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2007
    Messages:
    3,311
    Location:
    9114 S. Central Ave
    If I were landlocked and only exposed to freshwater (and could obtain them in the sizes needed - and that may be problematic) I would be comfortable using magnesium for all the anodes including the pencils and water heater. More than likely you already have a magnesium in your house water heater.

    As far as brushing them off, if it makes you feel more comfortable it can't really hurt. You will probably cause more damage constantly pulling pencils just to brush them than they will prevent.

    The "secret" to anodes is providing a material that will go away (at an acceptable rate and cost) before the stuff you want to keep in the electrolyte surrounding both. If you need to protect aluminum, sacrifice some magnesium.

    The best insurance you can provide is to make sure you don't have any electrical leakage within the boat and are not exposed to stray electricity at the dock.
  5. Loren Schweizer, Jul 11, 2011
    #25
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2004
    Messages:
    1,352
    Location:
    Coral Gables/Ft. Laud., FL
    In other words, install a galvanic isolator with an audio alarm.
  6. W. Arthur, Jul 11, 2011
    #26
    W. Arthur

    W. Arthur New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2011
    Messages:
    70
    Location:
    SF Bay and Delta
    Loren - Have you recommendations re galvanic isolator manufacturers / models with auto alarm that would best afford protection on a tri cabin twin screw trawler/cruiser... that will likely be kept in fresh water for years to come? We berth, cruise, and anchor out deep into CA SF Bay Delta's 1,100 miles of fairly deep draft, levy lined channels (12’ to 30’ deep) with full-on rivers near and many islands as well as some great towns/cities to visit. Sacramento and other cities on deep draft rivers (40’ to 75’ +) in the delta are cargo-ship supplied via SF Bay GG Bridge. Year round fresh water feed comes from Sierra Nevada Mountains' snow pack run off. We used to dock in SF Bay salt water. Been in SF Delta since April 2009. - Thx, W.
  7. T.K., Jul 14, 2011
    #27
    T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2007
    Messages:
    1,011
    Location:
    Cairo - Egypt
    We fit the Victron Energy isolation transformers to our boats.
  8. Fishtigua, Jul 14, 2011
    #28
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2007
    Messages:
    2,935
    Location:
    Guernsey/Antigua
  9. W. Arthur, Jul 14, 2011
    #29
    W. Arthur

    W. Arthur New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2011
    Messages:
    70
    Location:
    SF Bay and Delta
    Hello Fish, and, TK-F430 (We fit the Victron Energy isolation transformers to our boats. Life is a game.....)

    I thank you both for galvanic isolator product recommendations. I will review and proceed as determined. I've never left any boat I've owned connected to shore power while it rests at berth; always leaving it connected to dock only by mooring lines with battery banks fully charged and isolated. With a boat held in this condition/position in fresh water, does your experience show that it would be better to keep it connected to shore power and therefore use an isolator? How about a boat held in same condition/position but in salt water rather than fresh... with the salt's approx 10X conductivity ratio compared to fresh? Again, thanks for your input! - W. :)
  10. Loren Schweizer, Jul 14, 2011
    #30
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2004
    Messages:
    1,352
    Location:
    Coral Gables/Ft. Laud., FL
    W. Arthur:

    Guest, Newmar, Mercury/Quicksilver and others can supply you with what you need.
    At least one large US yacht manufacturer installed the Merc unit on all their models and it had a buzzer as an alert.
  11. W. Arthur, Jul 14, 2011
    #31
    W. Arthur

    W. Arthur New Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2011
    Messages:
    70
    Location:
    SF Bay and Delta
    Thx, Loren... I'll check em out! - W.
Page 2 of 2