I mentioned a while back that the electrical bonding on all my seacocks had been disconnected by the previous owner. I've never been able to get him to respond to any emails about it so i don't know if he was trying to avoid blowing out the seacocks in a lightning strike or if he was trying to prevent electrolysis. I decided to keep them disconnected and watch to see what happened. Well, of the 7 seacocks I have, 6 are virtually clear of any green residue, however, yesterday I noted the one for my starboard cockpit scupper had a heavy build-up of green powder on it. Structurally, it seems fine and operates smoothly. What do you think?
By the way, the boat is in a marina and since I live aboard, it's plugged into shorepower 24/7 unless I'm out sailing.
Seacock bonding....here we go again....
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Scott MacCready
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 21:53
- Location: Previous Owner of CD30-ketch, CD26 #29, and CD25 #635 Hulls Cove,ME
- Contact:
-
Parfait's Provider
- Posts: 764
- Joined: Feb 6th, '05, 13:06
- Location: CD/36 #84, Parfait, Raleigh, NC
berthed Whortonsville, NC
Isolation Transformer?
Scott,
At one of our annual meetings, I was very politely told by a surveryor from Annapolis that I was pretty brave to keep Parfait plugged in. Isolation transformers are expensive, but maybe very worthwhile.
Is that seacock also unbonded? Could it be that there is a strong electrical current running in the water somewhere nearby?
At one of our annual meetings, I was very politely told by a surveryor from Annapolis that I was pretty brave to keep Parfait plugged in. Isolation transformers are expensive, but maybe very worthwhile.
Is that seacock also unbonded? Could it be that there is a strong electrical current running in the water somewhere nearby?
Keep on sailing,
Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/36 #84
Parfait
Raleigh, NC
Ken Coit, ND7N
CD/36 #84
Parfait
Raleigh, NC
-
Scott MacCready
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 21:53
- Location: Previous Owner of CD30-ketch, CD26 #29, and CD25 #635 Hulls Cove,ME
- Contact:
-
Matt Cawthorne
- Posts: 355
- Joined: Mar 2nd, '05, 17:33
- Location: CD 36, 1982
Hull # 79
Inside?
Scott,
If the green powder is on the inside then you likely have a very slow leak in that seacock. Next time the boat is out of the water (A friend of mine keeps telling me not to rebuild seacocks while it is in the water) re-lap the seacock and replace the hose attached to it. Electrolysis would only affect that which is in contact with the seawater on the outside.
Matt
If the green powder is on the inside then you likely have a very slow leak in that seacock. Next time the boat is out of the water (A friend of mine keeps telling me not to rebuild seacocks while it is in the water) re-lap the seacock and replace the hose attached to it. Electrolysis would only affect that which is in contact with the seawater on the outside.
Matt
bonding
Hi Scott, Matt has probably got it right and there is probably some seepage. My cd22d had the same problem and required replacement because the seepage had cut a groove in the valve body. My CD has bonding wires from the shrouds and stays to a grounding plate on the keel and to the seacocks. It is part of the lightning protection. I believe it was an option on my boat but it may be worthwhile for you to check your boat to make sure the PO didn't disconnect these bonding wires if you do in fact have the lightning protection. Just a thought... Charles
-
Guest
Bonding/Isolation Transformers/Electrolysis
Scott
The green on the bronze is a result of sea water. It's when the bronze takes on a pinkish color that you need to worry about the effects of electrolysis. That is an indicator you need to spend the money on an isolation transformer and make sure all your underwater fittings and rig are bonded.
Having had to spend money replacing some items on past CD's & a Shamrock that I've owned, I am very careful with these things on my newly acquired 330. Everything that the factory bonded is bonded, I installed a Guest Isolator, keep my zincs up and even hang a zinc grouper over the side. With the grouper clipped to my backstay, which also bonded to all the rest.
Bob Mc
The green on the bronze is a result of sea water. It's when the bronze takes on a pinkish color that you need to worry about the effects of electrolysis. That is an indicator you need to spend the money on an isolation transformer and make sure all your underwater fittings and rig are bonded.
Having had to spend money replacing some items on past CD's & a Shamrock that I've owned, I am very careful with these things on my newly acquired 330. Everything that the factory bonded is bonded, I installed a Guest Isolator, keep my zincs up and even hang a zinc grouper over the side. With the grouper clipped to my backstay, which also bonded to all the rest.
Bob Mc