Electrical.wiring.maintenance; H.-.11. Stray.current.corrosion; General; Galvanic.corrosion - Four winns 318 VISTA Owner's Manual

Disconnect the battery before working on
electrical or ignition system to prevent electrical
shock and accidental ignition.
B. Electrical Wiring Maintenance
Periodically, inspect all wiring for nicks, chaffing,
brittleness,.improper.support,.etc..Examine.the.shore.
power.cord.closely.for.insulation.cracks.and.corrosion.
in.the.electrical.devices..Spraying.the.receptacles.and.
electrical.connections.with.an.electrical.connection.
cleaner.will.reduce.corrosion.and.improve.electrical.
continuity.
DO NOT allow corrosion to build up on connec-
tions. Shorts or ground faults can result.
The.entire.120.(220).volt.circuitry,.especially.the.shore.
power.cord,.should.be.seasonally.tested.for.proper.
continuity.by.an.experienced.marine.electrician..This.
will.help.detect.any.short,.open.wire,.or.ground.fault...
Also,.check.the.polarity.indicator.system.for.proper.
operation.
0 (0) volt AC electrical power can be danger-
ous. DO NOT attempt to service a system unless
you are familiar with, and experienced in, perform-
ing such service.
H - 11 STRAY CURRENT CORROSION
A. General
Electrically.induced.underwater.corrosion.occasionally.
affects.boats.and.their.related.components..This.is.
referred to as "Stray Current Corrosion" and appears
as.surface.pitting.or.deterioration..Stray.current.
corrosion.is.the.decomposition.of.chemical.com-
pounds.by.electric.current...
Stray.current.corrosion.can.be.caused.by.surrounding.
boats;.an.improperly.wired.battery/charger.installation.
or.other.boats.that.are.in.close.proximity.which.have.
electrical.power.leakages..Stern.drive.units.are.
especially.vulnerable.to.stray.current.corrosion.
.
Electrical Systems - Section H
Periodically.inspect.the.engine.components.to.deter-
mine.if.corrosion.damage.exists..If.stray.current.
corrosion.damage.is.found,.determine.and.correct.the.
cause.of.the.stray.current.to.prevent.further.damage..
Consult.an.experienced.marine.electrician.or.contact.
your.Four.Winns.dealer.for.assistance.
The.use.of.some.shore.power.battery.chargers,.while.
the.boat.is.in.the.water.and.the.battery.is.connected.to.
the.system,.can.cause.stray.current.corrosion..Have.
an.experienced.marine.electrician.review.any.battery.
charger.installation.to.ensure.a.stray.current.corrosion.
problem.will.not.develop..An.improper.battery.connec-
tion.is.a.common.cause.of.stray.current.corrosion..
NOTICE
Use only UL Marine-ignition protected battery
charger(s) designed to meet US Coast Guard
regulations for external ignition protection.
Corrosion.is.usually.more.prevalent.in.polluted.or.salt.
water.than.in.fresh.water..It.is.also.more.likely.to.occur.
when.dockage.is.in.an.area.with.steel.piers,.large.
metal.boats,.or.where.shore.power.is.in.use.
B. Galvanic Corrosion
Galvanic.corrosion.results.from.a.potential.electrical.
difference.existing.between.dissimilar.metals.im-
mersed.in.a.conductive.solution.(e.g.,.salt.or.brackish.
water)..If.these.metals.touch.or.are.otherwise.electri-
cally.connected,.this.potential.difference.produces.an.
electron flow between them. The attack on the more
active.metal.is.usually.increased.and.the.attack.on.the.
less.active.metal.is.decreased,.as.compared.to.when.
these.metals.are.not.touching.
C. Corrosion Prevention
Anticorrosion.anodes.are.attached.to.the.bottom..
of.the.gimbal.housing.of.your.stern.drive.to.prevent.
corrosion.to.your.electrical.systems.and.underwater.
parts..These.anodes.will.be.slowly.eroded.away.by.
galvanic.action.and.require.periodic.inspection...
Please refer to the section on "Anti-Corrosion Anodes"
in.your.engine.manufacturer's.manual.for.additional.
information...
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