Fitting a hanging anode

[SimbaDog]

Can someone explain exactly how to do this please?
I'm presuming a cable connected to stainless propshaft & then to anode hung over side
as near prop as possible? If so:
Cable ?
Connections?
Anode?

Thank you

 

[Tranona]

You can buy a hanging anode and cable ready made from MG Duff, although you can of course make your own using a standard anode.

There are various different ways of connecting it. If you want to protect your shaft/prop you need to make contact with the shaft, either directly to the shaft or more commonly as with a fixed anode, through the gearbox housing, bridging the coupling if necessary. Wire then to a connection point near to the outside of the boat, probably in a cockpit locker or using a fastening through the deck to which you attach the wire and anode hanging over the side as close to the prop as possible.

 

[SimbaDog]

Thanks for that :encouragement:

 

[rob2]

Funnily enough, I've seen modern cruiser/racers on their moorings with hanging anodes dangling from the quarter... Trouble is, the modern cruiser/racer has such a wide transom that I doubt the anode is close enough to the prop to complete the circuit! Another reminder for those with a saildrive is that I believe the prop on Volvo legs is isolated on a rubber bush, so only a directly fastened anode will work. Not so sure about Yanmar legs, but would be interested to know.

Rob.

 

[Skylark]

Funnily enough, I've seen modern cruiser/racers on their moorings with hanging anodes dangling from the quarter... Trouble is, the modern cruiser/racer has such a wide transom that I doubt the anode is close enough to the prop to complete the circuit! Another reminder for those with a saildrive is that I believe the prop on Volvo legs is isolated on a rubber bush, so only a directly fastened anode will work. Not so sure about Yanmar legs, but would be interested to know.

Rob.

My Yanmar SD50 leg with Flex-o-Fold has a bush. The bush is a requirement in order to preserve the warranty of the saildrive, iirc.

 

[CFarr]

I'm interested in this as I will soon be moving to the Crinan - berthing in fresh and sailing in salt and wondering if I'd need to hang a magnesium anode off both the shaft and the hull anode connections.

 

[[3889]]

I'm interested in this as I will soon be moving to the Crinan - berthing in fresh ag in salt and wondering if I'd need to hang a magnesium anode off both the shaft and the hull anode connections.

I have the same berthing/ sailing arrangements. I hang a 1kg Mg anode (from canal chandler - mounted on steel cost <£20) over the side, level with the prop. Clamp 4mm copper earth cable to prop shaft with molegrips, cable bonded to anode with earthing clamp used for bonding pipework.
I have a Zn shaft anode for marine use. You can get a special bonding brush for the shaft but I was convinced by Vyv Cox that molegrips are just as good. I wrap the cable around the throttle lever to prevent inadvertent engine starting (again).

 

[Tranona]

Funnily enough, I've seen modern cruiser/racers on their moorings with hanging anodes dangling from the quarter... Trouble is, the modern cruiser/racer has such a wide transom that I doubt the anode is close enough to the prop to complete the circuit! Another reminder for those with a saildrive is that I believe the prop on Volvo legs is isolated on a rubber bush, so only a directly fastened anode will work. Not so sure about Yanmar legs, but would be interested to know.

Rob.

Can't do anything about a prop on a saildrive with a hanging anode as there is no practical way of connecting the two. The anode can' however be connected to the saildrive housing to reduce the erosion of the existing anode.

 

[Tranona]

I have the same berthing/ sailing arrangements. I hang a 1kg Mg anode (from canal chandler - mounted on steel cost <£20) over the side, level with the prop. Clamp 4mm copper earth cable to prop shaft with molegrips, cable bonded to anode with earthing clamp used for bonding pipework.
I have a Zn shaft anode for marine use. You can get a special bonding brush for the shaft but I was convinced by Vyv Cox that molegrips are just as good. I wrap the cable around the throttle lever to prevent inadvertent engine starting (again).

No real need to clamp onto the shaft. Just connect the anode wire to the gearbox housing just as you would a hull anode, bridging the coupling if necessary.