Adding additional zincs?

[Johnshan1]

I spoke to the dockmaster at my new marina today. He said that the marina has a very bad electrolosis problem due to the tiny basin it is in being surrounded by boats with shorepower. I ordered new zincs for my Volvo Penta DP-S my question is, should I look at adding another anywhere else?

Thanks.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

marina has a very bad electrolosis problem due to the tiny basin it is in being surrounded by boats with shorepower

They have an electrolosis problem because current is leaking on the shore side into the water and they haven't spent enough money to solve the problem. If it's that bad adding zincs isn't going to help you. You may want to think about a new marina if they are not willing to hire somebody to fix it.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

This is one of the nicest marinas around, maintenance or spending money on repairs is not an issue, the place is amazingly well kept.

He said to haul it out in July and replace the zincs. The haul out is free and I can do my own work. He said it was really hard on the zincs.

 

[abj87]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

Unplug your shore power when not using it or get a galvanic isolator.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

It is often a fault caused by other boats, not the marina.

Adding zincs is a patch job at best (and often does not fix anything), the root cause needs to be found. A marine tech with electrical experience needs to be employed, they are not cheap.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

nope, we are not cheap.
but cheap is a relative term.
find a tech that has a merc reference electrode part # 91-76675T-1 and a DVM.
follow the instructions and it will show if your over protected or under protected for galvanic corrosion.
and remember they are sacraficial anodes, designed to dissolve, hopefully before your props and gearhousings.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

I spoke to the dockmaster at my new marina today. He said that the marina has a very bad electrolosis problem due to the tiny basin it is in being surrounded by boats with shorepower. This is one of the nicest marinas around, maintenance or spending money on repairs is not an issue, the place is amazingly well kept.

Ayuh,...

Sounds like a Lame Joint if they have a Known Problem,+ do Nothing, other than advise added zincs....

They should have an Electrician isolate the Problem,+ either fix it if it's Theirs,...
Or cancel their contract with the offending barge til it's Fixed.....

What Town is it,..?? Does the Harbormaster have any authority on this Issue,..??

Shouldn't this topic be in General Boating, rather than Motors,+ I/Os,..??

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

I put it in the I/O forum because I was thinking of adding more zincs to a volvo I/O.

Everywhere I have looked you need zincs. Some places more than others.

Guys- my drive isnt going to fall off after a week, which some of you guys are thinking I said apparently. It is a marina with lots of power around. I want to know if anyone has added another zinc to the volvo duo prop, or are the 2 factory zincs enough protection?

If anyone has added a zinc or 2 on a volvo duo prop or has experience with these drives (are the 2 factory zincs enough?) please let me know, thanks.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

It would seem to me that you are searching for a simple answer to a very complicated question.

Adding sacrificial anodes may or may not help, in some cases it could actually make things worse. It all depends on WHY the problem is occurring.

To answer your question - 2 factory anodes is enough for the average, run of the mill, marina.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

That is all I wanted to hear, thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Adding additional zincs?

Sounds like a Lame Joint if they have a Known Problem,+ do Nothing,

That's not always the case.
When I had the 41' sailboat, I only needed zincs once a year. Then a steel boat parked next to me, I had to change them twice a year. His electrical system was fine, and even when not hooked to shore power or having his batteries turned off changed anything. He left after a couple of years, and I was able to go back to yearly zinc changes.