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Anodes
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:53 am
by fourreins
As I sit and watch the snow fall again, I was online looking to purchase a new divers plate for the boat. Typically, since I boat in fresh water I would purchase a magnesium plate. This year it seems like I am reading a lot about Navalloy Aluminum Anodes which are supposed to be good in all water types. Performance Metal Products seems to be the maker. As I read several articles it looks like this will eventually replace all other anode types. Any thoughts from the experts?
Re: Anodes
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:40 am
by Big D
Given that inboard application running gear is predominantly stainless and bronze, aluminum anodes is what I would go with. You could use magnesium but they won't do any better nor will they last as long. Now all you have to do is convince all the boats around you to do the same! That's a hard sell when people make decisions based on ignorance like "I've had my zinc ones for years and they're just fine" Ya that's because they're not working! For sterndrive apps on the otherhand, I would still stick with magnesium.
Funny you should bring this up as I have been pondering all morning starting a thread to get some blood boiling on the whole question of zinc vs aluminum for our salt water friends
Re: Anodes
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:10 am
by prowlersfish
Go a head Big D make my day
. In salt water ZINC works better then aluminum anodes .............................................. But its only a slight difference so aluminum anodes will work fine .
But DO NOT mix 2 Per the anode makers , I was given some aluminum anodes at a Marine trade show And was going to try them until I found out not to mix them .
Some states want to out law zinc like MD ( may have already done so ) For right now I will stay with zinc . I am in salt water .
Re: Anodes
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:43 am
by Big D
Nothing like real world experience but the aluminum alloys they make now are supposed to be pound for pound better at protecting and outlasting the zinc ones. Be careful here though, like so many things made overseas, not all aluminum anodes are the same. It will be a hard sell to sway most as zinc anodes have been used for counterless years. It was also cheap but aluminum ones are in some cases now cheaper than zinc and certainly better for the environment. In that respect, it's likely just a matter of time before zinc ones are banned completely.
Most definitely do not mix different types.
Re: Anodes
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:56 pm
by fourreins
I think it is a matter of time before the zinc is phased out due to environmental reason. When I read the article on Performance Metals website along with others this is the reason they have come out with Navalloy Aluminum Anodes to be used in all water types.
Re: Anodes
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 6:19 pm
by Big D
fourreins wrote:.....Aluminum Anodes to be used in all water types.
I would hesitate using them for fresh water stern drive applications as they are now. Too many problems reported. Having said that, one must also be careful with overprotecting using magnesium. That could have just as bad an effect on what you're trying to protect.
Re: Anodes
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 6:33 pm
by prowlersfish
X2
Re: Anodes
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 9:26 am
by aaronbocknek
fourreins wrote:I think it is a matter of time before the zinc is phased out due to environmental reason. When I read the article on Performance Metals website along with others this is the reason they have come out with Navalloy Aluminum Anodes to be used in all water types.
i replaced all my zincs with NAVALLOY ALUMINUM in the summer when i hauled 'little E' for her zinc change. the shaft zincs were an absolute &&^%$!! to put on, and yes, they were the correct size. they needed some extra incentive to conform to the shaft diameter. i have to admit, they were not an easy install. i'm curious to see how they are holding up though.
Re: Anodes
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 1:02 pm
by prowlersfish
If the hold up well then they are not doing their job . That's why they are called Sacrificial Anodes . The NAVALLOY ALUMINUM maybe the best choice for your area as its brackish I believe
Re: Anodes
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 6:14 pm
by Big D
aaronbocknek wrote:....they needed some extra incentive to conform to the shaft diameter.....
That's actually a good thing. Makes for better contact. I don't like loose fitting ones.
Make sure shaft surfaces are sanded clean prior to application. Mount the anodes just a few inches ahead of the strut. The best thing to do once they are bolted together, is to then tap each half with a hammer and retighten.
Re: Anodes
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 7:35 pm
by aaronbocknek
Big D wrote:aaronbocknek wrote:....they needed some extra incentive to conform to the shaft diameter.....
That's actually a good thing. Makes for better contact. I don't like loose fitting ones.
Make sure shaft surfaces are sanded clean prior to application. Mount the anodes just a few inches ahead of the strut. The best thing to do once they are bolted together, is to then tap each half with a hammer and retighten.
we did exactly that. it was not an easy install. even the yard manager commented that they were harder to put on than old style zincs.