Mercathode Question

[bmetro]

Hello All,

I have a 2002 2700 SCR with the 6.2 Bravo III. I had my out-drive replaced at the end of last season and don't think I could handle that again any time soon. I was wondering, does anybody know if this boat came with a mercathode? I can take a look when I open her up, but not sure where to look. If it does, should I replace it with something called the "Red Mercathode"? Would this be any easy exchange?

Thanks everybody!

[shrew]

Take a look at this:

http://www.sterndrives.com/bravo_3_corrosion.html

[seapuppy]

there are 2 parts to the mercathod system...one is the controller that is mounted to the port side/front of the engine.....look in front of the oil filter and behind the heat exchanger....it's a blue box with about 4-5 wires coming off it...(I think)....anyway...the transciever is mounted on the bottom of the transom ring that mounts to the transom and looks like a sonar transducer ....not a puck but a block...it reverses the polarity of the water and prevents the electrolysis from happening......
there is another box you can replace the blue box out with...it's red....the blue box is 25 watts and the red is 60 watts...produces a larger field to protect the drive....
I replaced mine on my 2700 scr and it was about 50 bucks....well worth the cost imho...


SP

[bmetro]

seapuppy, I saw the red box on a web site but it came with the transceiver for about $140.00.

Do I just need the red box or both?

[seapuppy]

you can just replace the blue box with a red one....I did it and it was really easy..make sure you turn off your dc pwr before installing...but yeah....you can get the red box for about 60 bucks...

SP

[majoma]

bmetro,
How long was your outdrive in the water before you realized that you had to replace it?

[shrew]

Originally Posted by majoma

bmetro,
How long was your outdrive in the water before you realized that you had to replace it?

10 seasons??

Mine lasted 14 seasons, though it would have lasted longer had I not kissed something with it underway.

[MCM]

Alright, I'll ask the question.

Is the Mercathode system limited to the Bravo III?

I have twin Bravo II's and my mechanic changed all the fluids, replaced the baffles, checked out the anti fowling paint and replaced all the zincs prior to putting her back in the water. Is this system something that can help me to properly maintain my outdrives or is it limited to the duo-props?

[seapuppy]

I beleive it's on all all aluminum drives......so...check on the fwd/port side of the engine ..there should be a blue elex. box located under or near the het exchanger if you have one.....


SP

[bmetro]

Originally Posted by majoma

bmetro,
How long was your outdrive in the water before you realized that you had to replace it?

It blew up last Labor Day. I heard a scraping sound when the props turned, at the end of the 2010 season and had the marina check it at the beginning of the 2011 season. They found nothing and the sound went away. Until labor Day 2011!