electralasis

[ddraddy]

We have a 1985 Sea Ray, Sundancer, with twin 260HP 350's, with Alpha1 1/5 gear ratio outdrives. We replaced the zincs 9 months ago, and painted the outdrives with antifouling paint. took boat out, and major corrosion of both outdrives, and cracking of the casings, the zincs had erroded away. How do you check for bad ground? or electric stray current? How do we check our boat? or the dock? The boat was not plugged into shore power 95% of the time. We have Mercathode system on starbard engine, but not port side. How do you test the mercathode? Is there a system for both? or do we have to have one for each engine? Thanks for your advice in advance.

 

[Don S]

Re: electralasis

Several things in your post I have questions about. <br />1. Are you in salt or fresh water? <br />2. You said you replaced the Zincs 9 mos. ago.<br />They shouldn't be zinc, but an aluminum alloy, or are you just using the word "Zinc" as a word to describe anode?<br />3. The antifouling you used, was it designed for aluminum outdrives?<br />4. Not so much a question as a comment about not having shore power. You may not have it, but what about a close neighbor. I have had neighbors that caused my anodes to go away in 2 to 3 months. 9 Months is really pushing it on any boat that stays in the water. Especially if you don't know if you have a hot harbor or not.<br /><br />Here is a service bulletin but out by Mercruiser:<br />SB 2002-06 <br /><br />and here is a bulletin on the anodes.<br /> SB 2003-02 <br /><br />You can also find information on the Mercathode system in the service manual for your drive in section 7.<br />Here is a link to that manual.<br /><br /> Service Manual #6

 

[ddraddy]

Re: electralasis

we are in salt water{lower Chesapeke Bay]<br />I think we are using Alm<br />I used outdrive antifouling paint[26.00 a can]10m ago but have a lot of barnicles on .The boat is not used very much because it needed a new motor.<br />The links you sent are great and I will start with that. Thanks V much again.