Boat eats zincs

[ES]

I need to replace my zincs after about 2 months or so. I don't think it's my marina as my neighbors don't have the same problem. The question I have is, where do I start looking for the problem and how. Does anybody know of a good electrical troubleshooter in Miami?

 

[Bryce]

zincs

Had a similar problem on my 410 2 season ago. Try using a Godfrey zinc. Much better quality more $$$ also. Put two on last season and they lasted the entire season. Culd have used them again for this season. Virtually no corrosion. Boat US has them. They have a brass or bronze strip on the inside of the zinc for better contact.BryceS/V Spellbinder.H410

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Hate to disagree with Bryce ....................

...... but a zinc is a zinc is a zinc. Elemental Zn. If it's not corroding, it's not doing it's job and something important IS corroding.ES, I had the same problem ...... checked EMF's, current flows, the works. Couldn't find anything unusual. The problem is intermittant. I now use three zincs on the 1" shaft of out H310 and have a 6 x 6 inch overboard zinc plate attached to the engine block. Some years they are viciously attacked and other times they are in reasonable shape.Hope this helps (and it's cheap protection to boot).Regards,s/v Island Hunter

 

[Bryan C.]

Stray currents

Rapid zinc use is an indication of strayelectrical current. Can be from your boat or other's boats nearby. Nigel Calder in his book "Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual" explains tests for stray leaks. Commom problem: Water in your bilge conducting electricity thru the bilge pump or lighting grounds. Also, if you leave the AC plugged in, the stray current problem can be increased, so try leaving your boat unplugged for a while and see if it helps.

 

[Steve Dion]

Bryan C, you can't really do that......

the beer and the champagne get warm!

 

[Barry]

Zinc Erosion

In my marina the boat with the MOST ZINCS seem to get hit the hardest. Glad to tell you they are Mercruiser stinkpots. Haven't yet determined if the problem is in the shorepower system or on another boat. My experience however is adding more zinc to your vessel increase your exposure as a target.Barry

 

[Bryan C.]

Drinks over zincs, eh Steve? (nm)

nm