heat exchanger (pencil zincs)

Gregory M · April 06, 2016, 08:43:19 PM

I know, this subject was on the forum before, but is still a bit of mystery to me. I sail in fresh water, (Georgian Bay), all my outside "zincs" are magnesium.
So, question is: shouldn't pencil "zinc" inside HE be magnesium also? If so where I could get one? Or m I worry too much?
Greg.

KWKloeber · April 06, 2016, 09:06:26 PM

Yes, and boatzincs.com is one source.

kk

Gregory M · April 07, 2016, 06:21:26 AM

Thanks KW for fast response!

Ed Shankle · April 07, 2016, 09:45:43 AM

Related topic; while shopping at West Marine I saw that they were carrying lots of aluminum zincs for salt water boats. Supposedly rated as good as the lead zincs. First time I've seen this, so I was a bit reluctant to buy. Also, they didn't have aluminum pencil zincs, another reason to hold off buying right away.
Anybody have experience with aluminum zincs they can share? Is there any benefit to attaching a lighter zinc to the shaft? Does it get "consumed" at a similar rate? It is cheaper!

regards,
Ed

KWKloeber · April 07, 2016, 09:54:06 AM

Quote from: Ed Shankle on April 07, 2016, 09:45:43 AM
Related topic; while shopping at West Marine I saw that they were carrying lots of aluminum zincs for salt water boats. Supposedly rated as good as the lead zincs. First time I've seen this, so I was a bit reluctant to buy. Also, they didn't have aluminum pencil zincs, another reason to hold off buying right away.
Anybody have experience with aluminum zincs they can share? Is there any benefit to attaching a lighter zinc to the shaft? Does it get "consumed" at a similar rate? It is cheaper!

regards,
Ed

Zinc = salt
Magnesium = freshwater
Aluminum = brackish

Ron Hill · April 07, 2016, 12:24:06 PM

Ed : "Zincs" (anodes) are made out of Zinc, Aluminum or Magnesium -- not lead.

Roc · April 08, 2016, 05:46:01 AM

Good price for HX zincs.....

http://www.marinepartssource.com/index.asp

Ed Shankle · April 08, 2016, 11:07:04 AM

ok. Holding aside the corrections for using the wrong terminology, WM is presenting aluminum anodes as appropriate for saltwater. Ken you say just brackish. Is there a definitive source? Has anyone used aluminum in salt water?

Ed

Steve McGill · April 08, 2016, 11:47:42 AM

Ed,

I went to Aluminum anodes 2 years ago after reading and seeing articles in/at defender.com, WM, boatzincs.com and Cruising World. My home port is brackish water in the Chesapeake. Doing a search on "anodes zinc or aluminum" there are many creditable articles for using aluminum in salt and brackish waters.

Just my 2 cents....................

Steve