Electrolysis or is it Galvanic corrosion?

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Sep 25, 2008
1,096
CS 30 Toronto
A simply digital volt meter across the leads would tell you. If there is DC, you can tell it's coming or going by polarity. Cathode = -ve, Anode = +ve.

If there is AC, you have a leak that's AC (shore power) in nature.

Some unit has built in capacitor to pass AC through or buy one from Westmarine to connect externally.

Guess what the monitoring system does.
 
Sep 28, 2008
922
Canadian Sailcraft CS27 Victoria B.C.
You can get DC through the shorepower from other boats wiring. Most corrosion is caused by DC current, not AC.
 

wetass

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Mar 9, 2011
190
CS 36T Seattle
i would ask for the old part returned to see for yourself if that is the case before buying hundreds of dollars worth of items to correct a problem you may NOT have.
Even though its an excuse to buy a new tool? :)
 

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
Even though its an excuse to buy a new tool? :)
boys will be boys--if ye want a new tool, go for it!!!! is just some divers pad the bill... be safe and be careful . i had a diver do that to me for a bit-- i finally got smart and had him bring me the old zincs and wow, danged if i wasnt needing them only every 6 months instead of every month.......

was easier to find a new diver than try to figger out why boat was acting differently so suddenly.....
 

kenny

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Sep 30, 2009
8
hunter 410 oyster bay n.y.
electrolysis

Bill I too had the same problem , I bought two galvanic isolators but you only need one. its good for 50 amps of power. if you want it I can sell it to you for a reduced price. e-mail kmsail10@yahoo.com KEN
 

RAD

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Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
some divers do the zinc thing to make money, i have learned and there is actually a decent zinc on the boat when he removes it-i would ask for the old part returned to see for yourself if that is the case before buying hundreds of dollars worth of items to correct a problem you may NOT have.
Thats exactly what went through my mind as I was reading the post.....must be New Yawk thinking :D
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,760
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Alex,
I had no idea that galvanic isolators were that simple - Its almost a crime the prices they charge for those things.
They are not that simple if you want to meet the current ABYC standards as they must fail safe or have idiot lights..
 
Feb 26, 2011
1,440
Achilles SD-130 Alameda, CA
I got a new diver to scrub my boat bottom. He braggs unmercifully about his zincs. Since I started using his, my zincs only last a month. My old zincs from Ace and WM lasted a full year. New diver insists that there is electrical leakage in my canal. Certainly possible, but???

Do I need to spend $125 to get a silver probe for my VOM to check this?
As previously mentioned, either find a new diver or have this one leave the zinc remnants for your inspection when he installs new ones (something reputable divers do without having to be asked.)
 
Jan 22, 2008
1,483
Hunter 37 C sloop Punta Gorda FL
Thanks for all the help. I'm going to get both a galvanic isolator and a silver/silverchloride half cell. Will keep you posterd on what I find. As a couple of you said, it's an excuse for new toys.

BTW diver has been leaving the zincs. Last time I was here when he came he gave me a well eaten half. He said the other half crumbled, fell to the bottom. He only charges me $13 and change for the zinc. Not much more than I pay at ACE, less than WM, so I don't believe he is padding the bill.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,760
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
My favorite zincs are made by Godfrey. Well built and a massive copper contact ring cast into them...

Only problem with Godfrey is they are not sold through your average chandlery.
 

wetass

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Mar 9, 2011
190
CS 36T Seattle
My favorite zincs are made by Godfrey. Well built and a massive copper contact ring cast into them...

Only problem with Godfrey is they are not sold through your average chandlery.
Wow - Thats some pricey zinc - I think they must be using gold not copper in that collar. I tried their online store and a 1" streamlined shaft zinc is about $40. I guess if its a once a year purchase, that not soo bad considering the peace of mind that your zinc hasn't fallen off would give, but that was a little shocking to see ;-)
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,760
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Wow - Thats some pricey zinc - I think they must be using gold not copper in that collar. I tried their online store and a 1" streamlined shaft zinc is about $40. I guess if its a once a year purchase, that not soo bad considering the peace of mind that your zinc hasn't fallen off would give, but that was a little shocking to see ;-)
I don't pay anywhere near that from the prop shop I buy them from but they are about $18.00 - $20.00 IIRC..
 
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