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Beta Marine Repower Solutions -> Beta Marine Engines -> Quickly wasting anode on Beta 38
Post Info TOPIC: Quickly wasting anode on Beta 38
Blue Moon


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Quickly wasting anode on Beta 38
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My Beta 38 was newly installed in May 2017, so in only the one season through September 2017--perhaps twenty weeks and shortened last year by a family wedding. In that time, excepting the times were were running anywhere off the New England coast, the boat hung on moorings (a) way out near the mouth of Rockport, ME, (b) for a few weeks out in Rockland, ME, and mostly (c) off the Marblehead, MA West Shore. It has spent very near zero time tied to a dock of in a marina (other than quick loading or fueling stops, for example). We have never had a problem with propeller or cutter anodes wearing out before our normal end-October season end.

Shown in the attached photo is our original engine anode as I replaced it with a new one last month before launch for this season. There seems to be no zinc left and not sure what the slimy jelly-like substance is. Coolant in the heat exchanger looks nice and clear and the engine fired up immediately and runs fine.

Is this normal wear for zincs in this engine? If not, what else bears examination? If so, I'm going to need a box of anodes to change them every ten weeks!

Any clue about the slimy substance?



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Farron


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Hello Blue Moon,

The zinc should be checked every 6 months with a new install. Replacement is recommended every year at a minimum. The Beta raw water (sal****er) cooling system components are all either stainless steel or bronze. There is very little galvanic reaction between these metals in salt water so anodes can normally last a year, sometimes a bit less. If you see a faster depletion of the zinc I would suspect some electrolysis on board and recommend that you have the boat wiring examined by a competent marine electrician.

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Best regards,

Farron

Technical Sales and Service for Beta Marine, US Ltd. Minnesott Beach, NC   PH: 252-249-2473  farron@betamarineusa.com
Blue Moon


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After installing a new screw cap and anode upon launch this season, in late May, I prepared the boat today to be pulled for the season, changing the oil and replacing all filters. Checking the anode, it is again worn down into the screw cap that I'm not sure I can even remove the remaining zinc mass to install one of the new zincs I have. Again, the boat spent very little time at any dock and was almost entirely on moorings well away from and shore power. So, four months in the water and maybe 60 hours on engine and the zinc is functionally gone again.

Other than replacing the ancient Volvo MD-17D with the Beta 38, all of the batteries, charging electronics, instrumentation, and everything else on the boat remained constant. So I definitely have to get a meter that can read potential difference between the HE block and various other points including the overboard seawater.

Any other suggestions for how to narrow in on the cause of this would be welcomed!



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Blue Moon


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Heading into our fourth season with the Beta 38 and still struggling with heat exchanger anodes disappearing quickly!

What are the interior threads in the caps that hold the anodes, i.e., the threads that hold the replaceable anode itself? I am gathering a small collection of caps with anode leftovers stuck in the bottom and need to clean out those threads to have a hope of using the spare anodes I have with those caps.



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NeilMcCubbin


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We put the old cap in a weak acid for a day or two.

Ospho, phosphoric acid rust remover, works well.   It dissolves the zinc but leaves the brass unscathed

 

 



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Blue Moon


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Nice tip, Neil, thank you. Just pulled the cap and zinc, such that any was left, out today to ready for the coming season. Again, zinc is basically gone even though there is no sign of any corrosion anywhere else. The end caps and tube stack looked really good when disassembled, though I will do the overnight vinegar clean, anyway, before reassembly.

Seeming like thee zincs might really be too small for the application. I think I'd have to change them monthly to see any left protruding from the cap!



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NeilMcCubbin


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A zinc lasts about 2 months for us.    We cannot find any corrosion or electrical issue.  I had the tube stack out a month ago   About 1500 hours

Milvina consumes prop shaft zincs too    Aluminium hull with no corrosion issues 16 years in the water



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