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Technical Zinc sacrificial anode

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Hotrodjohn71, Dec 1, 2024.

  1. Hotrodjohn71
    Joined: Feb 25, 2018
    Posts: 130

    Hotrodjohn71

    If a zinc sacrificial anode is screwed into a plastic radiator drain plug, will it have its correct effect? Or must there be a metal to metal contact between the anode and the aluminum radiator?
     
  2. Relic Stew
    Joined: Apr 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,237

    Relic Stew
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    There must be an electrically conductive connection between cathode and anode.
    anode.png
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2024
  3. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 7,599

    RodStRace
    Member

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_anode

    For this protection to work there must be an electron pathway between the anode and the metal to be protected (e.g., a wire or direct contact) and an ion pathway between both the oxidizing agent (e.g., oxygen and water or moist soil) and the anode, and the oxidizing agent and the metal to be protected, thus forming a closed circuit; therefore simply bolting a piece of active metal such as zinc to a less active metal, such as mild steel, in air (a poor ionic conductor) will not furnish any protection.
     
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  4. Hotrodjohn71
    Joined: Feb 25, 2018
    Posts: 130

    Hotrodjohn71

  5. woodiewagon46
    Joined: Mar 14, 2013
    Posts: 2,470

    woodiewagon46
    Member
    from New York

    I use the radiator cap that has a zinc anode attached by a spring, seems to work well.
     
    okiedokie likes this.
  6. okiedokie
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 4,906

    okiedokie
    Member
    from Ok

    ^^^^RadCap
     
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  7. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 4,838

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    You can purchase zinc anodes attached to pipe plugs , the Cummins in the Power Wagon has one screwed into the water passage in the block . I have inspected it a few times in over 100K miles . It shows pitting but still not needing replacement
     
    Hotrodjohn71 likes this.

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