Is it a Zinc anode or a Aluminum anode ??

[kazie]

My bother-in-law sent me a box with anodes for a bravo 2, these were loose in a box. Over the years he had purchased both zinc and aluminum anodes. I asked him how to tell the difference between them, he stated that the zinc anodes were a dull grey and the aluminum anodes had a polished shine. Before I use them is he correct ?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Is it a Zinc anode or a Aluminum anode ??

Sometimes it's difficult to tell by looking at it.....

You should be able to take a soldering iron and flow a little solder onto a small piece of zinc that you cut off with a pocket knife.

Aluminum will not fuse with lead based (60/40) solder..... the solder will "bead up" on aluminum instead of flow onto it.

Also aluminum is a little softer so you might be able to cut a slice of aluminum easier with the knife. Zinc doesn't cut as easily.


Mercury, several years ago, switched to aluminum (and electronic, active anodes) for their sterndrives. Volvo Penta has active anodes now too...


Cheers,


Rick