saildrive anode

[bpalmer]

Replaced my circular anode on Volvo S120 saildrive (hate having to remove the prop to do so!). Thought I did the screws up nice & tight, but two months later the anode can wobble slightly -- ie it is not tightly snug, as if the screws should be tighter.
Does this risk imperfect electrical contact?
ie Does the anode need good contact with the saildrive body, or does the surrounding water do this?
If the anode is disintegrating normally, does this mean all is well?
Thanks,
bpalmer

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[steve_cronin]

It really needs to be tight otherwise it just corrodes normally and although it might be giving some protection to your drive (mine is an S120 too) it needs bright metal to bright metal to have maximum effectiveness.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[PeterGibbs]

Adding to Steve's reply, and as a fellow 120 S leg sailor, the circuitry has to be a complete as possible given the circumstances, vibration etc. You can check if the anode is in good contact with the guts of the S Leg -use a normal electrical meter - just ensure a good reading between exposed metal parts of the leg and the anode.

Expect anode erosion - this varies from boat to boat; if the anode disappears in a whole season etc you have a problem - they should not disappear that fast. After half has eroded, roughly, time to fit a new one.

I use Locktite to ensure a good grip for the mounting screws - seems to work.

Peter Gibbs

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