Flex o fold anode experiment

[Halo]

The anode on my 3 blade folder was only lasting 6 months. This was a pain so I decided to try to improve things.
I painted the hub with hammerite special metals primer and trilux 33.
Last week was 9 months after launch and I lifted her out to find that there was plenty of life left in the anode. From now on annual lift outs are back on the cards.

 

[Skylark]

I also have a 3-blade flexofold. Unpainted, it eats the nose anode at an alarming rate. Like your experiment, I’ve been applying Hammerite Special Metals Primer plus Trilux 33 for the last few years. I also apply to the blades. Anode consumption is definitely improved but I wouldn’t want to leave it for 12 months before replacement.

 

[Jmc1764]

Should there be a good clean metal to metal contact on the anode to the bronze ? or is it best to coat the bronze in paint or epoxy to help protect it ?

 

[Halo]

Clean metal at the flat bits at each end of the hub and absolutely nothing in the recessed bits where the blades are moving. You need good electrical contact where the anodes are connected and where the back plate fixes to the hub. It’s no good saving the anodes if your prop will get eaten.