Fiberglass w/ Inboard Engine(s) -750 to -1000 mV
Fiberglass w/ Aluminum Outdrive(s) -900 to -1050 mV
Aluminum -900 to -1100 mV
Steel -800 to -1050 mV
Wood -550 to -600 mV
Voltage readings below (more positive) indicate that underwater metals
connected to the bonding system are under-protected and may be corroding.
Voltage readings above (more negative) indicate that underwater metals
connected to the bonding system are over-protected and causing vessel
damage.
Voltages Below Recommended
Each underwater metal is protected from corrosion when its cathodic
protection system is able to induce and maintain a negative shift of at least
200 mV. For the four most common marine metals this means:
Aluminum (e.g., outdrives, hulls)
• Minimum corrosion protection voltage is -900mV
Mild Steel (e.g., hulls, rudders, tanks)
• Minimum corrosion protection voltage is -800 mV
Stainless Steel (e.g., propeller shafts, rudder posts, trim tabs, propellers)
• Minimum protection voltage is -750 mV
Bronze (e.g., propellers, thru hull fittings, seacocks, struts)
• Minimum corrosion protection is -550 mV
If the voltage of one of your underwater metals is less (more positive) than
these, you need to check your cathodic protection system -- usually done by
simply replacing depleted sacrificial anodes.
Voltages Exceeding Recommended
Overprotection can create conditions that damage underwater hull coatings, aluminum alloy metals and wooden hulls.
• Steel and fiberglass hulls -- decreased effectiveness of anti-fouling
paints and barrier coatings when made more negative than -1100 mV.
• Aluminum hulls and outdrives -- highly susceptible to alkali corrosion of
its metal, and hydrogen blistering of its paint coatings, when made more
negative than -1200 mV.
• Wooden hulls -- destruction of wood fibers (alkali delignification) occurs
around metal fittings made more negative than -650 mV.
Overprotection usually occurs from one the following conditions:
Using the wrong type of anodes (e.g., magnesium anodes in saltwater);
• A defective impressed-current corrosion controller;
• Stray DC currents originating from defective wiring or equipment within
your vessel.
The most common source of stray currents is a defective bilge pump, float
switch or wire insulation -- each of which carry +12 VDC submerged in bilge
water. Make sure these electrical devices (and wire splices!) are inspected
and tested for electrical leakage.
Source:
http://www.boatzincs.com/
*Readings will be slightly lower in fresh water.
Safe Boating,
dave
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