Aluminum boat corrosion aft of battery!!!

[Luna Sea]

Help. Just spent the weekend out on my aluminum Lund boat. Tied up to the old Chris Craft/camp of mine both nights. I've done this before but when I was washing it off this morning I noticed 5 holes about a quarter inch in diameter and probally halfway through the boat, right in back, below the waterline, same side as battery! Will replace zincs this week. And probally move the battery, nothings touching the hull.(?) Should I disconnect the battery overnight when I'm out there? What can I use to repair this corrosion??? And to stop it!! Thanks

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Aluminum boat corrosion aft of battery!!!

try JB weld from the local autoparts store.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Aluminum boat corrosion aft of battery!!!

Thanks mellowyellow. Will pick some up on the way home! And some new zincs

 

[epresutti]

Re: Aluminum boat corrosion aft of battery!!!

Luna Sea,<br /><br />Even a small "sheen" of water will cause current to flow. I know you mentioned nothing is touching the hull. Do you have the Battery inside a battery box. If not you should consider this.<br /><br />There is a potential, even if nothing is touching the hull, on exposed terminals that dew or water from other sources can create a small film that will conduct.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Safe boating to all.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Aluminum boat corrosion aft of battery!!!

No Battery box! Boat came like this, battery fastened right to deck, exposed terminals. Will get the box tonight too.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Aluminum boat corrosion aft of battery!!!

You got it Ed! Been bugging me all day. Every other time I stayed out overnight it's been nice weather. But, yesterday and last night was damp and drizzly. Everything I picked up off the floor this morning had that "sheen" of water under it. Guess the battery did too.......

 

[epresutti]

Re: Aluminum boat corrosion aft of battery!!!

Luna Sea,<br /><br />Should have said "allow current to flow" not cause. Just in case there are any EE's reading.<br /><br />Had another thought as well. Make sure any and all exposed connections have some kind of protection. Consider some battery "goop" or silicone to protect these from moisture. Rubber mountings or vinyl-based paints also will help.<br /><br />Just in case you wanted to know, there are several factors that cause water (or soon to be electrolyte) to conduct either beter or worse. Cold clean fresh water is the worst conductor, warm dirty salt water is the best conductor. So you get the picture, the more pollutants and the warmer the water, the better it will conduct.<br /><br />Always glad to help (or at least offer some info).<br /><br />Safe boating to all.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Aluminum boat corrosion aft of battery!!!

Well, the damage is minor, I hope. Will try some of that aluminum repair stuff. My fault for not putting the box in. Was on my list of things to do. Makes a lot more sense, what you said, than my thoughts of battery cables touching new shifter cables.......