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How to Build a Mercathode Circuit

When two different kinds of metal are submerged in an acid bath, there is often a flow of electric current called galvanic current. Electrons are leached out of one metal into the acid, and then deposited from the acid onto the other metal. This process can be useful as when metal pots are ̶0;galvanized̶1; to prevent rusting. It can also be destructive ̵1; because it destroys the metal from which the electrons are leached. Boats are often susceptible to the destructive effects of galvanization because they contain several metal components that are submerged in water that may be acidic ̵1; especially if it is salt water.

Things You'll Need

Mercathode kit

Instructions

- 1
  Check your kit to make sure you have all the required components. If you bought the kit from a dealer, the dealer will have replacement parts as the kits are often missing components. The two components that are absolutely necessary are the controller and the electrode.
- 2
  Mount the controller in a place that is relatively dry. The controller has four terminals. They are labeled ̵1; left to right: "̵1; A," "+," "̵1;" and "R." The + and ̵1; terminals are connected to the + and ̵1; terminals of the battery, and the A and R terminals are connected to the electrode. If you use the official wiring diagram, the wire colors ̵1; left to right ̵1; will be orange, red, black and brown.
- 3
  Attach the electrode to the metal frame of the boat. The 20-amp inline fuse goes on the red wire. The fuse should be put in a place where it will be out of the way. In the deluxe kits, the extra wires will attach to the controller on top of the standard four wires.
- 4
  Double the protection if your boat will be operated in salt water or brackish water. The extra acidity requires two electrodes. Wire the extra electrode in parallel with the first electrode. There will be two wires attached to the A terminal of the controller ̵1; one wire going to each electrode, and there will be two wires attached to the R terminal of the controller ̵1; one wire going to each electrode.

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