Boat Anode Resistance Check | ⛵ Sailing Britaly ⛵

Boat anodes do an essential job on any boat. However, unless you check the resistance when you replace one, your new anode may do absolutely nothing to protect your boat's systems.
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It is often assumed that if you bolt an anode to something it will automatically be electrically connected to it. This is often the case but not always.
In my day job I work offshore and when we mobilise our systems on to ships or platforms one of the very first things we do is connect the earth cable from our container to the vessel. (We operate underwater robots and on some systems we send 3000 volts subsea, so the consequences of a mistake could be fatal) After connecting the earth cable - a crimped ring terminal on a large diameter copper cable - to the welded earth stud on the vessel, the resistance is measured. It is often found to be out of limits and the connections need to be cleaned with a wire brush and the connection remade to obtain the low resistance required...
Many of us will have seen boat anodes which have been in the water for a season or more and don't appear to be wasting away. Due to the low voltages involved in cathodic protection systems it doesn't take much resistance at all to prevent anodes doing their job. This can easily be avoided by taking 30 seconds to check the resistance with a multimeter whenever you replace an anode. We show you how to do that in this video.
This is an excerpt from the following "Boat Work" video: • Saildrive Diaphragm Re...
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Chris, Rossella and Emma 😊
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'Sailing Britaly' is a Helvellyn Ltd brand. Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of Helvellyn Ltd, we cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Helvellyn Ltd assumes no liability for property damage, injury or death incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Helvellyn Ltd. recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, open flames, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Helvellyn Ltd, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Helvellyn Ltd.
#boat #anodes #sailingbritaly

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi guys, we have some new videos on the way (turning an ice-box into a fridge is coming next) and you'll get to see how much Emma has grown up in recent months, it is CRAZY... Cheers! Chris, Rossella & Emma 😊

[@flyingdutchman6984]

Excellent tip for something that is often overlooked. I like the format of this video. Quick and to the point with no fluff. I'll still love the regular videos you put out, but I'd love to see more of this style of video.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Jacobus, I'll look at doing some more of these. Cheers, Chris 👍

[@SailingSyvsover]

I saw your video in one of the recommendations to one of mine about a Volvo saildrive anode resistance/isolation "mystery". I am actually a bit honoured that the youtube algorithm associated them because your videos are part of the reasons I got started making my own channel. Far from the amount of content you made, but working steadily on it while fixing the boat.

[@TampaTec]

Good tips 👍

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Paul! 👍👍

[@paterson00]

Absolutely love this tip. Thanks very much, i didn't know that one.

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you Paul, it's very rare to see anyone chrecking this, but it doesn't take much resistance to stop anodes from working. A 30-second check can avoid a world of hurt on the next haul out... Cheers, Chris 👍

[@boardelia]

Very useful , thanks !

[@SailingBritaly]

My pleasure! 👍

[@boardelia]

Thanks for the video Chris, my mesures shows 0.4 to 0.5, i don't know if it's low enough but i want to belive it is :) It would be very useful if you could make a video using your multimeter to detect current leaks as it's an important job and nobody really know how to do it ! Cheers

[@blueboats7530]

So good to teach how to check things being right BEFORE invisible long-term failure sets in

[@SailingBritaly]

Thank you. 30 seconds spent doing this could potentially save thousands on a future haulout... Cheers, Chris 👍

[@nomadequipment2177]

Thanks for reminding me of this. My port side anodes are suspiciously intact🤔✌❤

[@SailingBritaly]

This is a common problem as it takes very little resistance to render the anodes inactive. Thanks, Chris 👍

[@alexmorgan3435]

Cool.

[@SailingBritaly]

It's not exactly a glamorous subject, but this 30 second check can save a world of hurt on the next haul out if the anodes are doing nothing... Cheers, Chris 👍

[@jimwesselman]

Is it possible for anodes to be useful on vehicles to minimize the effect of salt on metal? Academically speaking?

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Jim, you need a complete circuit for cathodic protection systems to work - seawater is the electrolyte on boat anodes - so anodes wouldn't work on vehicles. Chris

[@netpackrat]

Checking electrical bond with multimeter = good. Checking electrical bond with bonding meter = better. However, bonding meter = very expensive.

[@whyme8068]

Great info! Is there a way to test the anode after changing it while the boat is in the water?

[@flyingdutchman6984]

It is possible by using a reference electrode connected to volts in on your multimeter. You then touch the common probe to the anode and then what it is suppose to be protecting. You should get almost identical readings for both. While possible doing it this way it is hardly practical because of the length of probes you would need. If possible I would dive to check the anodes weekly. If you notice a change in how fast they are wearing, you may have a problem. By doing a regular inspection you will probably notice if the anodes are not wearing away as expected.