Is your Volvo Penta saildrive isolated from the engine?

Is your Volvo Penta saildrive isolated from the engine?

  • Yes, there is no electrical connection

    Votes: 15 65.2%

  • No, they are electrically connected

    Votes: 5 21.7%

  • Don't know

    Votes: 3 13.0%
  • Total voters
    23
nigelmercier said:
Its the new forum policy, all new members are given SM status, so they can delete any posts they don't like. It results in fewer arguments :)
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Perhaps they can moderate the posts made by other new members and get them up and running a bit quicker.
 
Hi DaveS,
I have no earthly idea how I did that! I just signed up. A short Bio: retired airline pilot 35 years, Licensed aircraft mechanic, messing around boats since age 12, done lots of class racing, most of the US southern races, couple of Trans-Pacs, rebuild, restore and race old motorbikes (James, Royal Enfield, Triumph, BSA, etc). Pretty much a "gear head" kinda guy. Currently, just rebuilt a 2020D and got it in the boat. Should get it started tomorrow.
I humbly request a change in my status: From Super to just newbie...
Cheers all,
 
As someone with a boat with a VP saildrive engine combo. I am really intrigued by this. How is it achieved, what metal is used for the bolts or are they all sleeved with non conducting washers?

BTW. It is also recommended that your rudder shaft is electrically isolated from the autopilot ram. Jefa are pedantic about this though Raymarine are not bothered. Jefa make the steering systems, rudders for Hanse which once had a problem with their alloy tube rudder shafts so that might be the reason. My Jefa rudder (Finngulf) has a solid stainless steel shaft and before I knew of the recommendation I had purchased a Raymarine pilot but I achieved the isolation by fabricating part of the torque arm from layers of Tufnol in place of alloy, bit of overkill I imagine but I did discuss it with Jefa at the time and they insisted that it was necessary.
However it is possible that since Jefa pilots are electrically isolated and Raymarine are not they see it as a marketing opportunity.
 
Quandary said:
As someone with a boat with a VP saildrive engine combo. I am really intrigued by this. How is it achieved, what metal is used for the bolts or are they all sleeved with non conducting washers?

BTW. It is also recommended that your rudder shaft is electrically isolated from the autopilot ram. Jefa are pedantic about this though Raymarine are not bothered. Jefa make the steering systems, rudders for Hanse which once had a problem with their alloy tube rudder shafts so that might be the reason. My Jefa rudder (Finngulf) has a solid stainless steel shaft and before I knew of the recommendation I had purchased a Raymarine pilot but I achieved the isolation by fabricating part of the torque arm from layers of Tufnol in place of alloy, bit of overkill I imagine but I did discuss it with Jefa at the time and they insisted that it was necessary.
However it is possible that since Jefa pilots are electrically isolated and Raymarine are not they see it as a marketing opportunity.
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Either earlier in this thread or others referred to you will find links to diagrams that show the insulating components between the engines and the sail drives. They vary with different engines, but yes insulating spacers and sleeves around bolts. There also has to be an insulating coupling in the drive of course.

Cant comment on the autopilot/ rudder question.
 
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