Yamaha Zinc Anode Replacement
Zinc Anode Kits are a key maintenance component to keep metal parts of your boat from corroding.yamaha zinc anode replacement They are used on recreational, commercial and military vessels on hulls, propeller shafts, rudders, trim tabs and outboard engines and in the cooling systems of most inboard engines.
The anode rods, also known as "zincs", work by overriding the process of galvanic corrosion between metal parts of a submerged structure or boat.yamaha zinc anode replacement Zinc is the best choice for this purpose due to its high negative electrical voltage and ability to corrode at a greater rate than other metals, such as aluminum or magnesium, that are commonly used in marine anode rod applications. This sacrificial function is the essence of cathodic protection, which is used extensively by the oil and gas industries in submerged parts, such as pipeline fittings and rig equipment, where resistance to electricity is lower.
Like other anodes, trim tab anodes degrade over time and eventually need to be replaced, usually by scrubbing with a wire brush. They act as a shield for more expensive and harder to repair engine components, by absorbing the corrosion that would otherwise damage them. This is why they are called sacrificial anodes-they sacrifice themselves to protect more costly and difficult to replace parts.
Trim Tab Anodes should be inspected at the yearly or 100-hour maintenance interval and replaced when they have corroded to about half their original size. This will ensure that they are still providing their sacrificial function of protecting the other metal parts on the boat from electrolytic corrosion.
Changing a trim tab anode on a Yamaha outboard motor is fairly simple, and can be done in just a few minutes. Simply remove the rubber plug, then use a socket wrench with an extension to loosen the bolt that holds it in place and then insert a new one. After installation, you should check the trim tab anode has been properly aligned - if the boat steers too much to starboard, adjust the anode in that direction; if it steers too far to port, rotate the anode to the right position.