Casting anodes

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

You miss the point. You don't know if all components of the alloy have depleted equally (highly unlikely).

Actually I understood the point you were trying to make. I just don't see that being a major problem when the zinc anodes are 99+% zinc to begin with. Zinc is the active element in an anode.

Sorry from the old zinc's I've seen, I don't see that as a major problem

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

Actually I understood the point you were trying to make. I just don't see that being a major problem when the zinc anodes are 99+% zinc to begin with.

Mil spec .... yes, I agree. It's unlikely that a person trying to scrape by on recast anodes was buying mil spec product to begin with even if they were aware of mil spec. Much of what I see is of questionable Asian origin ..... you know, the peole that put melamine in their milk powder.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by bornyesterday

Not trying to change the subject or anything but -
zinc for salt, magnesium for fresh, aluminium for... brackish is it?

[boatpoker]

Here is a photo taken in my local chandlery about a week ago. Most anodes with no mfg. I.D. no markings as to magnesium/aluminum/zinc and most certainly no Mil spec number. Who knows what this stuff is or where it came from.

[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Mil spec .... yes, I agree. It's unlikely that a person trying to scrape by on recast anodes was buying mil spec product to begin with even if they were aware of mil spec. Much of what I see is of questionable Asian origin ..... you know, the peole that put melamine in their milk powder.

Oddly I agree there is lots of non-spec metals out of china. Actually much of the metals used now a days is recycled material. I watched one US foundry take hoppers of cast iron junk, train wheels, engine blocks, etc, throw in a carbon block and smelt it into new centrifugal cast pipe. That was a US foundry too. I always wonder about the actual composition of metals now a days.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Here is a photo taken in my local chandlery about a week ago. Most anodes with no mfg. I.D. no markings as to magnesium/aluminum/zinc and most certainly no Mil spec number. Who knows what this stuff is or where it came from.

I can tell you the brand by the fasteners used. This pic is too low-rez for that though.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

I can tell you the brand by the fasteners used. This pic is too low-rez for that though.

Hey fast, you work with this stuff all the time. How many manufacturers are there ?

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Hey fast, you work with this stuff all the time. How many manufacturers are there ?

I already named the four most common brands- Reliance, Sea Shield, Martyr and Camp. There have been/are other, smaller anode manufacturers, but these four are the ones you're gonna find at the online anode retailers and at Defender, West Marine or just about any local chandlery you might go to.

Edit: I forgot to mention Electrogard.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

I already named the four most common brands- Reliance, Sea Shield, Martyr and Camp. There have been/are other, smaller anode manufacturers, but these four are the ones you're gonna find at the online anode retailers and at Defender, West Marine or just about any local chandlery you might go to.

I know there are too many variables to give a definitive answer but do you have an impression that the quality/effectiveness of some are better than others ?

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I know there are too many variables to give a definitive answer but do you have an impression that the quality/effectiveness of some are better than others ?

Definitely.

1.- Reliance. Made in Canada. Top of the line. Will install fasteners of your choice (when bought in bulk.)

2.- Sea Shield. Made in California. Also very high quality.

3.- Electrogard. Hard to find these days. Not a fan of their short machine screws.

4.- Martyr. Made in China. 'Nuff said.

5.- Camp. Worst zincs I've ever come across. Avoid, IMHO.

[boatpoker]

Thanks Fast. I've bought a bunch of No-names and am trying to establish a testing protocol so I'll pick up a couple of Reliance units as controls. I'm primarily interested in fresh water so whatever I do will be aimed in that direction.

[exkma367]

If you are like me and enjoy spending a lot more time and money doing it yourself, here is a website I have found helpful in the past. www.backyardmetalcasting.com

Be careful, stay safe, and have fun.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Thanks Fast. I've bought a bunch of No-names and am trying to establish a testing protocol so I'll pick up a couple of Reliance units as controls. I'm primarily interested in fresh water so whatever I do will be aimed in that direction.

Remember that you want magnesium in freshwater, not zinc.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by exkma367

If you are like me and enjoy spending a lot more time and money doing it yourself...

For a second I thought you were a homebrewer.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Remember that you want magnesium in freshwater, not zinc.

Actually I've bought zinc and magnesium. It may be hard to believe but over 90% of the boats I have looked at (1000's) have been delivered from the dealers in the Great Lakes with zinc anodes, from the the smallest runabouts to large sailboats and motoryachts.

Beneteau, Sea Ray, Regal, Jeanneau, Dufour .... pick one ! they all arrive here with zinc.