Electrolysis Preventer

[abl1111]

Thx for the insight. It is so annoying ! I take great care of my stuff and this is one of those things that's hard to deal with. I know I caught the problem very early - barely any damage at all - but I could see the start of it.

Over the years, I've kept many boats ( all outboards ) in the same slip in back of someones home. They store their i/o boat on a lift there. His neighbor has a boat on a lift in his own yard too.

So, I'm the only nearby target for electrolysis ( I'd rather share that wealth ! ). I don't know where it's coming from, but I will isolate it w/ a probe and the help of my Mercruiser mechanic.

Then, it might be tough to get a homeowner to do anything about it. Most the boats by me are outboards ( one of many great benefits of an OB ) - so their exposure to electrolysis is minimal.

I've done an enormous amount of work prepping my drive, gimbal, etc. this Spring. Sanding all the nooks and cranny's while the gimbal and transom mount are on the boat is no picnic. It actually sucked ! Then I primed with Interlux Primocon and topped w/ Interlux Trilux. I must have spent 25-30 hours sanding properly and then 3 coats of each.

If I cannot get rid of the electrolysis, or re-direct it to another target, I will have to give up my perfect slip; a private, broadside, down-the-block-from-where-I-live place.

So, if there are any ways to re-direct the electrolysis to a decoy target - I'm all ears.

[McGillicuddy]

I got my scanner working so I'll try to e-mail you a couple of pages this afternoon. Also check the possibility of a tired seal on a bilge pump, or the like, or a bad ground somewhere, which could cause an electrical leak aboard your craft (I know this is unlikely but a wise man suggested it) ... Good Luck.

[abl1111]

Mc,

Would appreciate it if you could email me any info you have.

Thx

[McGillicuddy]

Whoops check your e-mail as listed on your profile... let me know if no longer current... Mc Gill

[abl1111]

Thx Again Mc.

Holy sh*t. Everyone should read that ! Electrolysis and galvanic corrosion are insidious. It is actually scarey how stainless steel in one scenario is very rust resistant and in another, not at all; for example: if you see your SS rusting or leaving rust stains anywhere - it is loosing it's battle to corrosion - and that's above the waterline. Under the waterline - it's insane.

Question for someone who knows - I'm wondering if I throw a zinc grouper overboard and connect that to my (-) battery terminal, will that act as a sort of bonding system ( assuming all my (-) wiring is grounded to a (-)buss bar or the (-) battery ?

With regard to the below point, has anyone ever added a "brush" to ride along their drive shaft that grounds out to the (-) battery terminal ?

" you definitely will need to bond that drive shaft to a good ground. "