![galvanic isolator galvanic isolator](https://www.dairyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/GI_50_100.png)
The truth is if a boat is properly set up it should, for the most part, be protected from outside faults.
![galvanic isolator galvanic isolator](https://galvanic-isolator.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/galvanic-isolator-on-electric-post.jpg)
Of course this can indeed sometimes be exasperated by, or caused by the marina or other boats nearby. The fact of the matter is that in most cases the problem is often not the fault of outside sources, but rather, is located on the boat having the problems. Often mislabeled as “Electrolysis” which is a different process, it should correctly be referred to as “galvanic corrosion.” Many are quick to blame the marina or the boat next to them if they find their underwater anodes or zincs are disappearing or worse yet their underwater metal is suffering from galvanic corrosion. There is a lot of misunderstanding about how corrosion of underwater metal happens on a boat and how being in a marina effects underwater metal corrosion. 3-4 seasons' life is common.By Capt Wayne Canning, AMS Modern Galvanic Isolator Check the wear this time and suspect you will find it low. The boat has been in the water all year round.Ī galvanic isolator is a good idea - in our club it is compulsory if you use shore power, but from what you say I don't think you have a real problem. I have the same anode on my boat and have just replaced it for the first time since new in 2015 and it was about 30% worn by weight, although it looked well worn with most of the visible part eroded. although the extent of wear on the split anode you have is deceptive because the bulk of the weight is hidden. Equally the saildrive anode does not protect a folding/feathering prop because it is also isolated from the drive housing, and many types have their own anodes because the prop itself is made of dissimilar metals.ģ0% anode wear in one season on a saildrive anode is quite common. However it can corrode if the the isolating washer behind the cone nut is missing. Is it the anode on the saildrive housing or an anode on a folding or feathering propeller? The one on the saildrive does nothing for the prop and in theory the standard aluminium propeller does not need an anode nor does it generally corrode. Our understanding is this could be an earthing problem so if the Anode is not working would a galvanic Isolator be a good idea and how best do we bond the anode to the shaftĪll this is not my area of expertise so advice would be appreciated. She is coming out next week, hopefully we'll find a well eaten Anode, however, my concern is if the Anode is not degraded then is there likely to be any damage elsewhere eg Prop and other metals? We keep her in all winter connected to shore power and lift her out for a yearly inspection each spring. At the last life out I was concerned that the Anode had only lost say 30% of its body so we changed it anyway. The boat is now in a marina connected to shore power. We changed the Prop and fitted a new Anode. When lifted for the surveyor to do his job it was found that the Anode was mainly intact and the prop had degraded to a point of almost falling off. When we purchased the boat she had been left unattended for at least a season but connected to shore power.