Zinc Modification or Fuggedaboutit?

[RWS]

My Yanmar 6-LP engines have one very difficult to replace pencil zinc at the rear of the heat exchanger.

Not only is it the most difficult to access, it also is the one zinc in the entire system that is used up the soonest.

I am considering removing this zinc and installing a 45 degree elbow which would be attached to a pipe with a fitting at the end where I would screw in a larger pencil zinc.

The whole extension "housing" if you will would be a down angle arrangement. This would insure that there was always water allowing for conductivity.

This way I can get easier access, plus more "zinc" material in this location.

So here's the issue:

1. will this work in theory & reality?

2. should I use brass pipe & fittings or galvanized pipe & fittings?

3. is there ANY reason why this would not work?


Your comments are appreciated.

RWS

[BobCT]

Good reason to re-power back to Crusaders

I think my choice of metal would be bronze, I don't think brass will hold up as well but probably not a huge deal. Not sure about galvanized but could that create a galvanic issue with what the zinc threads into?

It's a good idea but will the water really "flow" in/out or will it just become a stagnant low point in the system? As I'm typing this, maybe that doesn't really matter since the sacrificial conductivity (trying to see how many big words I can use) should still occur back through the zinc.

I would try the easier of the two and see what it looks like around the normal interval. If it shows about the same wear you'll know it's working.

Bob

[prowlersfish]

My only concern is with no water flow around the zinc ,the zinc may get a build up and become inefective .

[yorklyn]

I would stay away from brass and galvanized. I would think bronze would be ok. not sure how the reduced water flow will effect everything. Sounds like you have an idea on how long a zinc last in the current setup. give it a try and if you find yourself saving too much money not replacing the zinc cause it still looks new after 6 months, switch it back.