Earth connection to the anode

[guernseyman]

Just been reading Frank Singleton's webpage on Navtex. He said there was a marked improvement in reception when he earthed the set to his sacrificial anode.

Reminded me I once did the same with some instrument or other whose installation instructions suggested earthing. However I disconnected the earth on reflection that the effect on the primary use of the anode was uncertain.

Is there any accepted advice on using the anode for such purposes?

 

[boatmike]

Yes. Don't! What you need is a seperate grounding plate usually made of bronze. At a pinch you can attach to anything that has a seawater connection like a keel bolt if you have an iron keel but preferably a completely independant grounding plate.

 

[mithril]

Yes quite so. A ground will be very beneficial and the anode will be such a connection, but conections willy nilly to anodes presents ill thought out currents and potentially worsens the protection afforded by the anode.

I wonder if an AC only connection from the NAVTEX i.e. via a low leakage capacitor to the anode will work. Cannot think why not. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[guernseyman]

After all these years; just remembered the original echo sounder tranducer casing is still exposed on the bottom, and presumably connected to the metal cable guide sticking up from it in the bilges. Could be used as an ground, perhaps. Just need to check for electrical continuity and scrape off the anti-foul - carefully of course!