Installing a zinc anode on the anchor

[Oceanride007]

Thought I'd follow up with my first draft Anchor Anode. Yes Anchor is new, I know electrically it may have issue but with Hi Tensile shank, didn't want to drill or weld and blade part is too skinny. I used the hole intended for a series anchor with a insertion rubber between anode and shank.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Oceanride007

... with a insertion rubber between anode and shank.

Anode needs to be in solid electrical contact with metal it's intended to protect.

[Oceanride007]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Anode needs to be in solid electrical contact with metal it's intended to protect.

Sorry for any confusion, but the surface between Anode and Cathode is often insulated, there is however electrical contact thru the head of the bolt.
Think if otherwise, Anode would get sloppy on the bolt, making it useless.

I would have preferred another fixing method but due to this anchor construction, my options are limited.

[noelex 77]

Very few people seem to have tried this and it would be good to read some reports if it makes any practical difference.

There are a few potential drawbacks:

Any weight on the shank significantly decreases the performance of most modern anchors. It does not take much weight to have a noticeable effect on the centre of gravity. This is the main reason why many modern anchors use hi-tensile steel in the shank rather than a slightly thicker (and therefore equaly strong) section of mild steel.

Anchors need to bury to work well. If you look at the lower edge of shank on the Vulcan in the photo you can see that it is tapered for this reason. The anchor can become completely buried in some conditions. An anode is going to reduce the depth of bury, but how much of a practical effect on the holding is difficult to predict.

I would not use a zinc anode. Because there are different mixes of zinc it is possible the anode would actually be cathodic to the zinc in the galvanising. This would corrode the galvanising rather than providing protection. An aluminium anode would be better, and this also minimises the weight problem.

I would also suggest two small anodes on either side of the shank rather than a larger anode on one side. Anchors need to be symetrical in terms of weight and particularly in refrence to drag through the substrate. Without this they will struggle to orient themselves upright.