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Old 02-16-2018, 09:49 AM   #4
C lectric
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City: Gibsons, B.C., Canada
Vessel Name: Island Pride
Vessel Model: Palmer 32'
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Zinc Saver likely did just fine. All they were were two good size diodes arranged polarity opposite so any AC leakage in the ground/green wire would be allowed through but it would block any DC leakage. Often it was two diodes in series in each path to get a slightly higher blocking voltage of ~ 3V. Plus a bit of a heat sink as diodes do produce heat when working.

Newer ones have warning lights built in and some other features so if there is a failure it can tell you .

The older ones had to be physically tested as there was no warning feature if the diodes had failed leading people to think all was well when it was not.

I can't comment if the new one is overkill but it should have warning provisions in case of a diode failure.

HMMM, Just looked it up. Supposedly fail safe????? [ but how] but no warning so do your research. Without some kind of warning it may be "safer" than the old ones but you won't know if it has a problem. I'm out of the loop now I guess.
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