Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

"Chuck Baier" wrote in message
om...
Our marina has a problem at some slips with stray current. Some of the
boats are loosing zincs at a fast rate while others are not. Looking
for some help in trying to resolve this and what kind of equipment
will I need. Thanks. Chuck

When you figure this out, can you post it so I can do the same?

I was looking at a "Corrosion Test Meter" that is made by Guest. The
description in the West Marine catalog indicates that it might be just the
thing for this, but it doesn't give quite enough information and the Guest
website is useless. If this meter is the thing, I might consider buying
one, or if you buy one I will buy it off you (or rent it from you) when you
are done .

Rod McInnis

Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

Chuck Baier wrote:

Rodney, This is a condo marina. They will fix the problem but have no
idea how to track it down. Since it directly affects my boat I will
try and assist them in finding the source. That is why I posed the
question. Chuck

You know that, thru the AC ground lead, all boats plugged into the dock supply are connected together. If you have an aluminum
prop and your neighbour, a brass one, you're making a battery together even without problem in the dock wiring. Check if the
boats without problems are all equiped with a brass prop (or marine stainless) and if those who have corrosion issues don't.
It's just a guess but if so, I don't think the problem is with the dock wiring.

Best way to prevent that, in ANY cases, even if no apparent problems are experienced, is not to leave the shore power cord
plugged while you're not aboard. If your batteries can't keep their charge during the time you're not there, then it may be
time to replace them. Anyway, doing this while the marina checks its wiring should prevent any further problems.

Jean Dufour
Montreal, Qc

Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

Chuck Baier wrote:

Rodney, This is a condo marina. They will fix the problem but have no
idea how to track it down. Since it directly affects my boat I will
try and assist them in finding the source. That is why I posed the
question. Chuck

You know that, thru the AC ground lead, all boats plugged into the dock supply are connected together. If you have an aluminum
prop and your neighbour, a brass one, you're making a battery together even without problem in the dock wiring. Check if the
boats without problems are all equiped with a brass prop (or marine stainless) and if those who have corrosion issues don't.
It's just a guess but if so, I don't think the problem is with the dock wiring.

Best way to prevent that, in ANY cases, even if no apparent problems are experienced, is not to leave the shore power cord
plugged while you're not aboard. If your batteries can't keep their charge during the time you're not there, then it may be
time to replace them. Anyway, doing this while the marina checks its wiring should prevent any further problems.

Jean Dufour
Montreal, Qc

Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 11:45:59 -0400, Jean Dufour
wrote:

Chuck Baier wrote:

Rodney, This is a condo marina. They will fix the problem but have no
idea how to track it down. Since it directly affects my boat I will
try and assist them in finding the source. That is why I posed the
question. Chuck

You know that, thru the AC ground lead, all boats plugged into the dock supply are connected together. If you have an aluminum
prop and your neighbour, a brass one, you're making a battery together even without problem in the dock wiring. Check if the
boats without problems are all equiped with a brass prop (or marine stainless) and if those who have corrosion issues don't.
It's just a guess but if so, I don't think the problem is with the dock wiring.

Best way to prevent that, in ANY cases, even if no apparent problems are experienced, is not to leave the shore power cord
plugged while you're not aboard. If your batteries can't keep their charge during the time you're not there, then it may be
time to replace them. Anyway, doing this while the marina checks its wiring should prevent any further problems.

When we had the problem, we had no DC connection to the dock. We used
a trickle charger with isolation. We never have had a DC connection,
but when the ground was fixed, the zincs stopped going away.

I don't think you mean "brass" propellors. Brass will self electrolize
in salt water without outside help. Props are made of bronze, SS, or
plastic.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


Capsizing under chute, and having the chute rise and fill without tangling, all while Mark and Sally are still behind you

Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 11:45:59 -0400, Jean Dufour
wrote:

Chuck Baier wrote:

Rodney, This is a condo marina. They will fix the problem but have no
idea how to track it down. Since it directly affects my boat I will
try and assist them in finding the source. That is why I posed the
question. Chuck

You know that, thru the AC ground lead, all boats plugged into the dock supply are connected together. If you have an aluminum
prop and your neighbour, a brass one, you're making a battery together even without problem in the dock wiring. Check if the
boats without problems are all equiped with a brass prop (or marine stainless) and if those who have corrosion issues don't.
It's just a guess but if so, I don't think the problem is with the dock wiring.

Best way to prevent that, in ANY cases, even if no apparent problems are experienced, is not to leave the shore power cord
plugged while you're not aboard. If your batteries can't keep their charge during the time you're not there, then it may be
time to replace them. Anyway, doing this while the marina checks its wiring should prevent any further problems.

When we had the problem, we had no DC connection to the dock. We used
a trickle charger with isolation. We never have had a DC connection,
but when the ground was fixed, the zincs stopped going away.

I don't think you mean "brass" propellors. Brass will self electrolize
in salt water without outside help. Props are made of bronze, SS, or
plastic.



Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


Capsizing under chute, and having the chute rise and fill without tangling, all while Mark and Sally are still behind you

Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

I installed a galvanic isolator which in effect breaks the green wire
circuit for making this "battery", yet maintains the ground protection.
My zincs have not eroded as much since I did this.

"Jean Dufour" wrote in message You know
that, thru the AC ground lead, all boats plugged into the dock supply are
connected together. If you have an aluminum
prop and your neighbour, a brass one, you're making a battery together
even without problem in the dock wiring. Check if the
boats without problems are all equiped with a brass prop (or marine
stainless) and if those who have corrosion issues don't.
It's just a guess but if so, I don't think the problem is with the dock
wiring.

Best way to prevent that, in ANY cases, even if no apparent problems are
experienced, is not to leave the shore power cord
plugged while you're not aboard. If your batteries can't keep their charge
during the time you're not there, then it may be
time to replace them. Anyway, doing this while the marina checks its
wiring should prevent any further problems.

Jean Dufour
Montreal, Qc

Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

I installed a galvanic isolator which in effect breaks the green wire
circuit for making this "battery", yet maintains the ground protection.
My zincs have not eroded as much since I did this.

"Jean Dufour" wrote in message You know
that, thru the AC ground lead, all boats plugged into the dock supply are
connected together. If you have an aluminum
prop and your neighbour, a brass one, you're making a battery together
even without problem in the dock wiring. Check if the
boats without problems are all equiped with a brass prop (or marine
stainless) and if those who have corrosion issues don't.
It's just a guess but if so, I don't think the problem is with the dock
wiring.

Best way to prevent that, in ANY cases, even if no apparent problems are
experienced, is not to leave the shore power cord
plugged while you're not aboard. If your batteries can't keep their charge
during the time you're not there, then it may be
time to replace them. Anyway, doing this while the marina checks its
wiring should prevent any further problems.

Jean Dufour
Montreal, Qc

Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

There is an excellent article on testing for grounding problems between
shore power and boat at: http://www.yandina.com/electrolysis.htm
Gene
SV Sea Gypsy

"Chuck Baier" wrote in message
om...
Our marina has a problem at some slips with stray current. Some of the
boats are loosing zincs at a fast rate while others are not. Looking
for some help in trying to resolve this and what kind of equipment
will I need. Thanks. Chuck

Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

There is an excellent article on testing for grounding problems between
shore power and boat at: http://www.yandina.com/electrolysis.htm
Gene
SV Sea Gypsy

"Chuck Baier" wrote in message
om...
Our marina has a problem at some slips with stray current. Some of the
boats are loosing zincs at a fast rate while others are not. Looking
for some help in trying to resolve this and what kind of equipment
will I need. Thanks. Chuck

Finding electrolysis at the dock
 

Rodney Myrvaagnes wrote:

Chuck Baier wrote:

When we had the problem, we had no DC connection to the dock. We used
a trickle charger with isolation. We never have had a DC connection,
but when the ground was fixed, the zincs stopped going away.

Huh? DC to the dock? I presume you meant AC!?

I don't think you mean "brass" propellors.

Indeed, bad translation in my head! ;-)

But still, unpluging the shore power line when not needed can do only good and is a quick fix while the dock issues are addressed.

Jean Dufour
Montreal, Qc