Beta diesel sacrificial anode - advice please

[Burnham_Bob]

Having had a Yanmar 1GM10 which is raw water cooled, I'm use to large lumpy anodes.

My Beta 14hp two cylinder has been installed for around a year but used quite lightly. Oil has been changed etc, but I decided to check the anode. It appears to be a bolt with a hollow centre and a small amount on zinc in the hollow centre. Much smaller amount of zinc than I expected........unless.....

should the zinc core stick out proud? and if so how much? Mine seems to have eroded back from the end of the bolt, but if the zinc goes all the way down the thread of the bolt I've got quite a bit left.

Must admit I expected a bolt head and a 'pencil' of zinc sticking out. Does it need a much smaller anode than the raw water coooled Yanmar as it's freshwater cooled and the sea water only circulates around the heat exchanger?

Cleaned some black gunge out and I'm back to what appears to be solid a few turns down the thread.

Anyone got a beta and can advise me please?

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Yes - zinc should stick out - from memory approx the same length again as the bolt (on 28hp anyway)

Think you need a new one

 

[VicS]

Looks like

you can buy just the zinc refill

 

[Burnham_Bob]

Thanks - i've ordered one off e-bay. Judging by the picture I've got about 1/4 of an inch of zinc left where it screws into the bolt head so there's still a week or so's protection - long enough for the replacement to arrive.

Any idea of how long they normally last? My Yanmar anodes would last two years and even then weren't totally spent.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Vic, Where can you get the refills from ?

Thanks

 

[sailorman]

check out the for sale forum there are some pencil anodes on there

 

[alahol2]

You can get refills here

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Thanks - just the job

 

[VicS]

Yep boatpartsandspares was where i found the pictures but Google may find others as well

 

[PetiteFleur]

The original Beta anodes are 'glued' in not screwed - you will have to get a brass plug and screwed anode to replace the originals. I've measured the depth available and you could fit a longer anode.

 

[doug748]

Any idea of how long they normally last? My Yanmar anodes would last two years and even then weren't totally spent.

[/ QUOTE ]

It tends to vary. Six months is not unusual. My 20hp has a new one every winter.

 

[dam747iam]

in my engine the zinc seems to fall off and i have to remove the end of the heat exchanger and remove, i think this a common problem

 

[silverdawn]

Hi I have a beta 20hp my original beta anode lasted about 7 months, I replaced this with anodes supplied by latham marine with a brass conversion nut to suit which fits into the existing beta nut which is left when the pencil anode has dissapeared. the cost was £ 1.88 for the anode and £1.58 for the brass nut I brought 6 anodes and 2 brass nuts, with postage it came to a total of £23.25 pence. The anodes have lasted the same as the beta, I have 3 seasons supply which I think is very good value. Tel 01227 472822 this was the No in Nov 2007.

 

[doug748]

Worth looking at the recent "Winter Maintenence" thread on Scuttlebut for a striking example of what can happen if the anode fails to do its job.

 

[Rowana]

I think you are refering to my post.

The problem was a split "O" ring allowing seawater to come in contact with the exchanger casting. The other end which had a perfect seal was absolutely fine, and the anode was doing it's job.