bshanafelt
Senior Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2007
- Messages
- 427
- Vessel Name
- Isobel K
- Vessel Make
- 37' Custom Pilothouse
As most who have a Cummins 6b motor know, there is an pencil zinc in the heat exchanger. It is oriented so that the zinc screws in from the bottom.
I usually use a cup or two to catch the drippings when changing this zinc, but I apparently did spill some salt water during a change out in the past.
The zinc is in close proximity to the alternator and of course some of this salt water made its way to the Positive cable running from the alternator to the house bank.
Since I don't know when I spilled, I don't know how long it took for the corrosion to cause the failure in the cable.
It is pretty interesting that the cable still was carrying around 100-150Amps just prior to failing. When it failed, it was a complete breakage of the cable at the barrel of the crimp.
I did cut back the insulation interested in seeing how far the corrosion had migrated and found it showing up 8" from the end.
The cable is 'tinned' marine wire. The crimp was well made and well sealed with heat shrink just like you want it.
Just goes to show how determined that salt water can be.
The cable was fused at the battery bank it served, but fortunately did not short out against anything when it broke. Lots of wire ties helped.
I will probably be fabricating some sort of shield to protect the alternator and its connections from any future splashing.
Also, good timing as our 8 week cruise is just finishing, so will make the permanant repair soon
I usually use a cup or two to catch the drippings when changing this zinc, but I apparently did spill some salt water during a change out in the past.
The zinc is in close proximity to the alternator and of course some of this salt water made its way to the Positive cable running from the alternator to the house bank.
Since I don't know when I spilled, I don't know how long it took for the corrosion to cause the failure in the cable.
It is pretty interesting that the cable still was carrying around 100-150Amps just prior to failing. When it failed, it was a complete breakage of the cable at the barrel of the crimp.
I did cut back the insulation interested in seeing how far the corrosion had migrated and found it showing up 8" from the end.
The cable is 'tinned' marine wire. The crimp was well made and well sealed with heat shrink just like you want it.
Just goes to show how determined that salt water can be.
The cable was fused at the battery bank it served, but fortunately did not short out against anything when it broke. Lots of wire ties helped.
I will probably be fabricating some sort of shield to protect the alternator and its connections from any future splashing.
Also, good timing as our 8 week cruise is just finishing, so will make the permanant repair soon