Hi to all!

I have a 1999 Rinker Fiesta Vee 242 with 5.7EFI Alpha One. This is the first
year the boat has lived in the water in Lake Michigan. i am starting to see
my zincs wear away. They are the original zoncs and have been in salt water.
My questions:

1. Since we are now "living" in freshwater, should i install a Mercathode
system?
2. How can I test for stray current without purchasing an expensive tester
from MerCruiser?
3. Should I also protect my shore power system? - I leave the boat plugged
in with the refriderator and battery charger running.

Thanks for any and all responses!

Dave Alonzi
"Pier Pressure"

"Dave Alonzi" wrote in message
...
Hi to all!

I have a 1999 Rinker Fiesta Vee 242 with 5.7EFI Alpha One. This is the
first
year the boat has lived in the water in Lake Michigan. i am starting to
see
my zincs wear away. They are the original zoncs and have been in salt
water.
My questions:

1. Since we are now "living" in freshwater, should i install a Mercathode
system?

I would - it will help.

2. How can I test for stray current without purchasing an expensive tester
from MerCruiser?

Use a Volt/Ohm Meter (VOM) and check for leaks between ground
connections. In other words, put the VOM on AC (or DC for that
matter) and check the ground between the drive and engine, engine
and battery - etc. That should give you an idea of where the problem
lies - it's quick and dirty but it works for finding ground loops.

3. Should I also protect my shore power system? - I leave the boat plugged
in with the refriderator and battery charger running.

Yes.

Later,

Tom

"= 3. Should I also protect my shore power system? - I leave the boat
plugged
in with the refriderator and battery charger running.


Leave your fridge running on AC power. Turn off all DC components while away
from the boat by turning off all DC circuit breakers on the electrical panel
and also the main battery switches (make sure the bilge pumps are wired
direct to the batteries). Definitely want to leave them powered while away,
but not much reason to have any other 12V device powered up while away. If
the marina has a power outage while you're away, the fridge will probably
hold it's temp just fine until the power returns.

With no DC load on the batteries, there's no reason to leave the charger
turned on. I used to leave my charger turned on years ago. Batteries and
zincs suffered greatly because of the practice. Leaving the charger off
while away has had a huge effect on extending battery and zinc life. Well
maintained batteries will hold their charge just fine while you are away
with no load on them. An even better way to maintain charge while away is
to convert to good quality AGM style batteries. Negligible self-discharge
rate on those, and they last a very long time. Zero maintenance, to boot.