Question regarding Anodes

[shaw520]

PO must not have known the importance of the sacrificial anodes as he painted right over them,... My question is, if I sand them down to expose fresh zinc will they be just as effective,....follow by my 2nd question, Do anodes eventually loose the capabilities or can they always be brought back to a level of effectiveness simply by removing the corroded layer and exposing new zinc.?

 

[Ned L]

Yep, just get the paint off them and they are good as new.
Your 2nd question- There really isn't a need to "remove the corroded layer". As long as there remains sufficient mass to them they are fine. When they corrode down significantly in size it is time to replace them. On a boat kept in salt water new zincs every spring is routine.

 

[tpenfield]

equally important to exposed fresh metal (zinc) is to make sure they have good conductivity with the outdrive itself. That is an area where the use of existing anodes falls down . . . although they may look OK, the electrical connection may be reduced. Best to remove them, clean them up and re-install, making sure to that the 'star' washers to dig into the metal of the anode.

Also, once the anodes start to show depletion, they are becoming less effective. Generally, you will get about 4-6 months in salt water out of a set of anodes.

 

[shaw520]

Thank you guys,... Im in fresh water with a 7k-10k current,... the current seems to produce a level of static electrolysis,.. so anodes are definitely worth their weight in gold,..or zinc,....or....wait..