Loose shaft zinc

[Blue Stocking]

Agree with fstbttms on the hammer. My zincs are Canadian made, and have a small cuprous button inbedded in the shaft contact area. Hammer blow shapes this to shaft surface.

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Agree with fstbttms on the hammer. My zincs are Canadian made, and have a small cuprous button inbedded in the shaft contact area. Hammer blow shapes this to shaft surface.

Is that what that little ball thing is on the inside!

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

They now sell precise fit zincs that don't need hammering anymore. Used them for the first time this year and like them.

You must check if the isolation transformer really blocks the shore ground wire. When I did that, I was shocked to find they wired it wrong and isolation had been defeated with a jumper.

Wow. My PO was a bit of an idiot, so I'll check that out.

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Correct. A 16oz. claw hammer will do the job.

I thought the recommendation was to use two hammers, holding one hard against one half of the anode, and striking the other half with the secind hammer.
Alternatively, would a good quality clamp achieve the same result?

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by nigel1

I thought the recommendation was to use two hammers, holding one hard against one half of the anode, and striking the other half with the secind hammer.
Alternatively, would a good quality clamp achieve the same result?

No offense, but that doesn't even make sense. The shaft is going to keep the zinc from moving. There is no need for additional bracing with a second hammer.

You simply mount the zinc and start the screws- they don't even have to be tight. Then give one halve of the zinc five or six good blows with the hammer. Rotate the shaft and give the other halve the same treatment. Then drive the screws in as tight as you can by hand.

Originally Posted by nigel1

Alternatively, would a good quality clamp achieve the same result?

That's not a technique I would recommend.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

This is news to me. Who is "they"?

Martyr. The new ones have a "100% circular" opening and with a clean straight shaft, you can leave the hammer at home.

I always used Martyr and I believe I have had mis-labled ones too now and then. a 30mm will never fit a 1-1/4" shaft for example. I have seen both mixed in the same bin.

[67Therapy]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Rapid zinc depletion is most likely due to an issue aboard your own boat. Look there first.

What brand zincs are you using?

Dumb question: How do you do this? What are the search terms here...I'm sure it's explained somewhere, I can't find it.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Martyr. The new ones have a "100% circular" opening and with a clean straight shaft, you can leave the hammer at home.

I always used Martyr and I believe I have had mis-labled ones too now and then. a 30mm will never fit a 1-1/4" shaft for example. I have seen both mixed in the same bin.

As I am sure I have mentioned before- I am not a fan of Martyr zincs. I'll take your word that these new ones work as advertised. But I dont use Martyr because my main supplier no longer carries them, because I don't care for the fasteners they use and maybe most importantly, because they are made in China.

[Oceanride007]

If your any anodes are corroding away quickly, maybe get a bigger one that you can hang over the side when stopped and connected to your Engine block. Its easier to replace. Also if you do have Isolating Transformer do as Jedi says, make sure that shore earth wire is connected on primary side only. Save your worm clamp just in case the anode does move up the shaft.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Oceanride007

If your any anodes are corroding away quickly, maybe get a bigger one that you can hang over the side when stopped and connected to your Engine block. Its easier to replace. Also if you do have Isolating Transformer do as Jedi says, make sure that shore earth wire is connected on primary side only. Save your worm clamp just in case the anode does move up the shaft.

If the OP is burning thru zincs as quickly as seems to be the case, there is an electrical issue that needs to be found and corrected. Adding more zinc is simply a band-aide. And properly installed shaft zincs shouldn't need to be held in place with a hose clamp.

[cwyckham]

Well, that was unpleasant!

I finally got up the courage to go in the water yesterday. It took a long time to get the feeling back in my fingers and toes afterwards, but the job is done.

Of the two zincs I'd installed, only one was left and it was hanging on by one half installed screw. The other was gone. It was only mildly pitted, but who knows how long it had been in poor electrical contact for.

So I brought the hammer down and did the job right this time (I hope). Thank you all for educating me.

Oh, and fstbttms, it is a Reliance Canada zinc, in answer to your question.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by cwyckham

Oh, and fstbttms, it is a Reliance Canada zinc, in answer to your question.

Them's the goods.