Mercathode System

1132MM

1132MM

Member
Aug 1, 2010
185
Wantagh, NY
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 4.3 Liter Mercruiser w/Alpha One Gen 2 Drives
I have a 2004 280 Sundancer with twin 4.3’s. I do not have the Mercathode system, but am thinking about installing one. We will be docking at a Marina this season. Is it worth it to install or just stick with the zincs?
 
Alphas don’t have near the problem that bravo 3 drives have. But, if your marina is “hot” it is worth having. You won’t know that until you see corrosion, or ask dock neighbors how their anodes and underwater metals hold up.
 
I have friends that have the same boat as you. I have never heard them complain about corrosion on their drives. We are in Wantagh Pk. What marina are you going to?
 
1132MM said:
I have a 2004 280 Sundancer with twin 4.3’s. I do not have the Mercathode system, but am thinking about installing one. We will be docking at a Marina this season. Is it worth it to install or just stick with the zincs?
Click to expand...

The Mercathode System was introduced to offset the corrosion issues on the Bravo3 because of the the large amount of exposed stainless steel and the the housing being aluminum.

I would just ensure you are using the proper anodes for your application. Check with BoatZincs.com for a good description. In addition make sure your drives are painted for protection and that your bonding system is intact and functional.

-Kevin
 
its a PIA to add the unit under the transom assy (running the wire) - you could add the pucks to the transom.....but i would just switch to aluminum props if your concerned
 
I have an 01 280 with twin alphas. Just went through the same decision process. Since we have single props, everyone I consulted with said I would likely have more trouble with:
1. The Mercathode controller going out and me not knowing about it until too late; or,
2. The Mercathode draining the batteries due to some other electrical issue;or,
3. The cathode wire under the transom assembly becoming covered with growth/damaged due to debris/etc and having reduced effectiveness.
The standard Mercathode system does not have a visual monitoring system to see how it is doing. It is a faith thing.

The “experts” said that is why the Mercathode is an option on the alpha and standard on the Bravos. Merc has a three year, no questions asked, corrosion warranty - so they are confidant in the passive system on Alphas. (If you compare the Gen 1 to Gen 2 anodes, the Gen 2’s have a lot more anodes.)

I chose to replace all my anodes on the Gen 2’s with new zincs (saltwater use) from Boatzincs and purchased the Reference Electrode testing kit from Mercruiser to test my protection with a digital voltmeter. I also went through the bonding system on the boat to make sure all my exposed metals were bonded securely.

I hope I made the right choice.

Are you in salt, brackish, or fresh?
 
I have a 2003 280 Sundancer with 4.3 mercruisers & Alpha ones.
I have the red mercathode system installed & am looking for the correct testing procedure, any help appreciated

DWABoat said:
I have an 01 280 with twin alphas. Just went through the same decision process. Since we have single props, everyone I consulted with said I would likely have more trouble with:
1. The Mercathode controller going out and me not knowing about it until too late; or,
2. The Mercathode draining the batteries due to some ot
DWABoat said:
I have an 01 280 with twin alphas. Just went through the same decision process. Since we have single props, everyone I consulted with said I would likely have more trouble with:
1. The Mercathode controller going out and me not knowing about it until too late; or,
2. The Mercathode draining the batteries due to some other electrical issue;or,
3. The cathode wire under the transom assembly becoming covered with growth/damaged due to debris/etc and having reduced effectiveness.
The standard Mercathode system does not have a visual monitoring system to see how it is doing. It is a faith thing.

The “experts” said that is why the Mercathode is an option on the alpha and standard on the Bravos. Merc has a three year, no questions asked, corrosion warranty - so they are confidant in the passive system on Alphas. (If you compare the Gen 1 to Gen 2 anodes, the Gen 2’s have a lot more anodes.)

I chose to replace all my anodes on the Gen 2’s with new zincs (saltwater use) from Boatzincs and purchased the Reference Electrode testing kit from Mercruiser to test my protection with a digital voltmeter. I also went through the bonding system on the boat to make sure all my exposed metals were bonded securely.

I hope I made the right choice.

Are you in salt, brackish, or fresh?
Click to expand...
DWABoat said:
I have an 01 280 with twin alphas. Just went through the same decision process. Since we have single props, everyone I consulted with said I would likely have more trouble with:
1. The Mercathode controller going out and me not knowing about it until too late; or,
2. The Mercathode draining the batteries due to some other electrical issue;or,
3. The cathode wire under the transom assembly becoming covered with growth/damaged due to debris/etc and having reduced effectiveness.
The standard Mercathode system does not have a visual monitoring system to see how it is doing. It is a faith thing.

The “experts” said that is why the Mercathode is an option on the alpha and standard on the Bravos. Merc has a three year, no questions asked, corrosion warranty - so they are confidant in the passive system on Alphas. (If you compare the Gen 1 to Gen 2 anodes, the Gen 2’s have a lot more anodes.)

I chose to replace all my anodes on the Gen 2’s with new zincs (saltwater use) from Boatzincs and purchased the Reference Electrode testing kit from Mercruiser to test my protection with a digital voltmeter. I also went through the bonding system on the boat to make sure all my exposed metals were bonded securely.

I hope I made the right choice.

Are you in salt, brackish, or fresh?
Click to expand...

her electrical issue;or,
3. The cathode wire under the transom assembly becoming covered with growth/damaged due to debris/etc and having reduced effectiveness.
The standard Mercathode system does not have a visual monitoring system to see how it is doing. It is a faith thing.

The “experts” said that is why the Mercathode is an option on the alpha and standard on the Bravos. Merc has a three year, no questions asked, corrosion warranty - so they are confidant in the passive system on Alphas. (If you compare the Gen 1 to Gen 2 anodes, the Gen 2’s have a lot more anodes.)

I chose to replace all my anodes on the Gen 2’s with new zincs (saltwater use) from Boatzincs and purchased the Reference Electrode testing kit from Mercruiser to test my protection with a digital voltmeter. I also went through the bonding system on the boat to make sure all my exposed metals were bonded securely.

I hope I made the right choice.

Are you in salt, brackish, or fresh?
Click to expand...
 
This is a picture of the reference electrode I purchased through a local dealer. About $60 or so.
Need a decent quality digital meter to go with it.
For specific millivolts and testing procedures, I recommend you read the other thread I posted first. There is a good YouTube video linked in one of the posts. Then ask a local surveyor or certified mechanic since there are many variables (water type, moving water, on and on). I don’t consider myself qualified to give instruction on testing. I am still learning.
 

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I got my tester from BoatZincs,com
Remember the boat has to be in the slip for at least week so the bottom paint and the paint on the drives activate in the water before the test can be done.
I also have Seacore drives and I am sure this helps as I have no problems with corrosion.
 
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