Leonora Davy

Okay thanks all..

It seems that I might need an Isolation Transformer. The one I have my eye on is the Victron 230V 3600W p/n SDIT0036000. From what I've seen on the forum boat community there appears to be a small amount of indirect trading going on between boat owners and suppliers who are both members of the forum. Before I start ringing around Victron agents, etc, are there any discount arrangements between supplier members and boat owner members ? I appreciate that this might not be allowed by the forum rules and I've no wish to compromise this, but perhaps any suppliers of Victron equipment might like to PM me ? At the end of the day, Victron will get the business, but I might as well put the business the way of a member rather than a stranger.

There is some slight pitting on the hull underwater. The boat is fitted with a shoreline and galvanic isolator. As the anodes are still new after a year in the water, I can only presume that the surveyor thinks that the insulated prop and shaft are the possible cause. He has also advised the checking of the galvanic isolator or a fitting of an isolation transformer.

The engine is a Vetus. There is a flex coupling and a Vetus water-lubricated sealed gland. I am quite sure that the surveyor is right in saying that the propeller is electrically isolated from the rest of the boat because the coupling will act as an insulator. The real question here is: Is it better to have an isolated propeller or a grounded propeller, from an electrolysis point of view ?

The boat has just been surveyed and the surveyor says that the propeller is electrically isolated from the hull and this is the reason why the anodes aren't deteriorating - in other words, the anodes aren't working and there is no protection from them. He has suggested a wiper brush or similar on the shaft connected to the boat ground to resolve this. I've rattled my brain and can't work out why this would be beneficial. If the connection is made, a circulatory current would then flow which would cause the anodes to sacrifice themselves to protect the steel. However, an electrically isolated propeller would surely create a much reduced electrolytic reaction as there is no circulatory circuit path through the boat ??? Maybe I cannot see the wood for the trees here ?? Can you straighten my thinking out ?

We are seriously considering fitting a Webasto heater for extended cruising. In the light of so much negative publicity about Eberspacher heaters on the forum recently, we are wondering if people are also experiencing similar problems with Webasto heaters. Before we part with hard-earned cash, could any Webasto owners with problems please let us know either by a post or personal messenger, as they prefer. Thanks.

We are seriously considering fitting a Webasto heater and would be interested in the answer to this ? It appears that all the comments so far have been directed at Eberspachers ?

Thank you..

I think this is still a problem as I'm still waiting for my e-mail ??