Sacraficial Zinc

[BrianW]

I have a couple of dumb questions:
If you set out a zinc "fish" as a test for stray current, can you connect it to any metal part of your boat that's under water and the zinc will indicate (by corroding) if there is a stray current? Will only the metal boat part the fish has continuity with be protected by the zinc? Thanks, BrianW

 

[fstbttms]

Hanging a zinc over the side is not the way to test for stray current. There are instruments to do that. Further (and maybe you understand this, although that is not at all clear from your post) stray current (or electrolytic) corrosion is only one of the kinds of corrosion zinc anodes can protect underwater metals from. Also, zincs only protect items with which they are in direct electrical contact.

 

[BrianW]

Thanks for your response. I thought I made it perfectly clear about my lack of knowledge about the subject.

 

[fstbttms]

Why do you suspect there is a stray current issue?