How do you check a MerCruiser MerCathode?
Mercathode System Testing When the boat is in the water, disconnect the orange wire that comes from the anode at the mercathode controller. Set the digital reader to show milliamps. Connect the black meter lead to the terminal on the controller. Connect the red meter lead to the end of orange wire.
How do you prevent electrolysis on a boat?
Sacrificial anodes of zinc strategically placed on the boat help dissipate electrolysis to keep metal corrosion at bay. If the anodes have been placed and maintained properly, they prevent metal corrosion.
What is MerCathode system?
The Mercury Precision MerCathode system provides automatic protection against galvanic corrosion. It is a solid-state device that operates off a boat’s 12-volt battery and provides protection by impressing a reverse blocking current that stops the destructive flow of galvanic currents.
How do you prevent galvanic corrosion on a boat?
Zinc for aluminum or salt water: If you are a saltwater boater, you should install zinc or aluminum anodes to prevent galvanic corrosion on the engine and underwater parts of your boat.
How do I know if my boat has electrolysis?
How to recognise it
- Paint blisters on the underwater areas of steel or aluminium boats.
- Red areas of corrosion on the underwater areas of steel boats.
- Areas of metal erosion and pitting on the underwater areas.
- Blisters that reveal a bright clean metal surface and the liquid in the blister feels sticky or soapy.
Can you over zinc a boat?
More than one boat has sunk on its mooring due to a through-hull failure caused by galvanic corrosion. Although effective against typical galvanic corrosion, these zincs will not prevent the more potent stray current corrosion. Although it is unlikely in a typical installation, you can have too much anodic protection.
How do you test a MerCathode system?
Where is MerCathode located?
MerCathode System Controller The MerCathode electrode is mounted to the underside of the gimbal housing. The MerCathode controller is mounted on the engine or on the boat transom. The controller harness connects to the electrode harness. Trim cylinder anodes Mounted on each of the trim cylinders.
How do you prevent corrosion on a boat?
There are five ways to protect your boat against corrosion including:
- Isolate corroding metal from seawater by painting or coating.
- Change potential of metal by introducing sacrificial anode.
- Making metal passive by using corrosion inhibitors.
- Change the pH of local environment by chemical dosing.
How do you test for electrolysis?
The method of testing for electrolysis is to employ a volt-ohm meter test using a voltmeter (DC scale). Place the positive lead of the meter in the engine coolant without touching the radiator sides. Clamp the negative lead on the battery ground. For the test to be valid, there needs to be an electrical load.
Can you take aluminum boats in saltwater?
Aluminum Can Do Well in Salt and Freshwater When not in contact with other metals, aluminum can do quite well in both fresh and saltwater, needing only bottom paint for aluminum boats to prevent fouling. As you can see, building an aluminum boat for salt water takes thought.
Can you put too many anodes on a boat?
How does a Mercury mercathode protect a boat?
The Mercury Precision MerCathode system provides automatic protection against galvanic corrosion. It is a solid-state device that operates off a boat’s 12-volt battery and provides protection by impressing a reverse blocking current that stops the destructive flow of galvanic currents.
Where is the mercathode controller located on a boat?
The Mercathode system has two parts; the Controller and the Anode. The Controller is located in the boat and it’s usually mounted on the engine. It should be wired directly to the batteries positive terminal with the included in-line fuse. even if the battery switch is turned off.
Do you have to keep the mercathode clean?
The Anode must be kept clean and should never be painted. The Mercathode will drain your boats batteries. The harder it has to work the faster the drain. If you are keeping your boat in the water you NEED to keep a battery charger on the battery or the battery will go dead and you could sink the boat.
What is the mercathode system on a MerCruiser engine?
The Mercathode is a device that helps protect against Galvanic Corrosion. Most newer Mercruiser Engine Packages (with the exception of the 4 cylinder models) come standard with an installed Mercathode Antigalvanic Corrosion System. The Mercathode system has two parts; the Controller and the Anode.