zincs question - Maxum Boat Owners Club

bmetro · 03-30-2009, 01:11 AM

I'm almost in!!!!!!!! But I have a zinc question for a 2002 Bravo 3, 6.2 mpi Mercruiser. My prop does not have a zinc on it. i have seen bullet shaped zincs on the prop nut and was wondering if I should have one.

Thanks all.

seapuppy · 03-30-2009, 12:58 PM

Welcome to the zoo..it's kinda optional since it never came with them...but you can't have enough protection and it is recommended to have it if you don't have the red mercathode box.....if you still have the blue one...well..then I'd probably get it...and get the red box..

SP

tglee · 03-30-2009, 02:29 PM

This may help you choose the correct type.

rgreenwell8962 · 03-30-2009, 09:18 PM

What is the dif between the red and blue mercathode?????

seapuppy · 03-30-2009, 09:34 PM

about 20 watts.......it increases the field strength around the mercathode at the bottom of the drive.......

SP

tglee · 03-30-2009, 09:41 PM

If your boat is equipped with a Mercathode system, there is a simple way to test if the system is operating properly. The goal is to check the output from the Mercathode controller. When the boat is in the water, disconnect the orange wire that comes from the anode at the mercathode controller. Set the digital reader to show milliamps. Connect the black meter lead to the terminal on the controller. Connect the red meter lead to the end of orange wire. If using the blue or black Mercathode controller, the reading should be 25 or less milliamps, to as much as 200 milliamps in saltwater areas. If using the red Mercathode controller, the readings should be less than 25 milliamps in fresh water areas to as high as 400 milliamps in saltwater areas.

Ticamo · 03-30-2009, 09:43 PM

Interesting, I had never heard of the different mercathodes. I will have to check to see what I have. BTW, is there any yearly maintenance needed on my mercathode?

I was thinking about getting the prop nut zinc this year too, just for extra insurance.

BTW, my transom has a rectangular zinc bolted on - maybe 3X6 inches. Anyone know if that that is factory or added on?

hawkip · 03-31-2009, 03:04 PM

Very interesting post. SP- good info on the red controller. I know I have a blue one, and since I operate almost exclusively in saltwater w/ a BIII, I will certainly look for the red controller. Initial web search came up empty. Don't want to have the ol' zinc grouper dangling off the stern.

seapuppy · 03-31-2009, 03:58 PM

there is no yrly maintenance on the mercathode system other than to insure there is no corrosion on the connections...also look for any corrosion around the top of the mounting bezzel on the transom...

if you have any corrosion there..you mercathode transducer at the bottom of the bezzel has failed......which means about a 700 bucks in repair..they have to fish a new transducer back into the hull...

the huge brick zinc is added by the factory on the mid sized boats.....it's there as added protection for your outdrive...that's a lot of steel swinging in the water and it creates one helluva field when sitting in salt water....

the red controller doubles the output field around the drive and only costs about 60 bucks and about 10 minutes to replace...well worth the price......the prop ctr zinc surely will help keep corrosion down..but like anything....it's a periodic maintenance item that you can't forget to use...this item needs to be replaced often and maintained so that there is no damage done to your outdrive thru corrosion......

SP

Ticamo · 04-06-2009, 12:32 AM

I looked into changing from the blue to the red controller, but it looks like the red is made to be used with transom mounted electrodes, as opposed to the kind I have which is under the gimbal housing. Can I just swap the controllers, or is there more to it than that?

BTW, congrats Sea Puppy. I hope you will continue to share your Maxum wisdom here. Since you and I have pretty much the same Maxum you have been a really good source for me.