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Drive DP-S
A
B
Corrosion protection
Anodes
Sacrificial anodes are attached to the bottom of the
gimbal housing (A), at the front (B) of the gearcase
above the anti-ventilation plate. Anodes are slowly
eroded away by galvanic action and require inspec-
tion. Anodes subjected to frequent wetting and dry-
ing require periodic scraping to remove scale and
oxidation to maintain their effectiveness. Magnesium
anodes are to be installed if the boat is to be used
mainly in a fresh water enviroment.
Checking corrosion protection
Inspect gimbal housing and front gearcase anodes
(A and B) every 14 days, or more frequently if used
in extremely salty water. If an anode is 2/3 its origi-
nal size (1/3 eroded), it should be replaced. If a
stainless steel propeller is used, additional sacrifici-
al anodes may be required to handle the added cor-
rosion potential.
Active Corrosion-Protection
Most boats are equipped with a Volvo Penta Active
Corrosion Protection System as standard equip-
ment. The system greatly improves the protection
and life of the drive unit from corrosion. If your boat
does not have this system as standard you can buy
it as an accessory. It is available from your Volvo
Penta dealer. This system operates with very little
current drain from the boat’s electrical system.
The Volvo Penta Active Corrosion-Protection Sys-
tem control box has a small LED indicator light that
blinks to show the system is operating properly. The
LED indicator light should blink once every one to
five seconds to indicate proper operation. The light
will blink at the once every five second rate if the
demand for protection is very low. If the light is flas-
hing once per second, the demand is high and the
system is operating at maximum capacity. The Vol-
vo Penta Active Corrosion-Protection System is de-
signed to adequately protect one drive unit from gal-
vanic corrosion.
The system works by keeping the voltage potential
in the area around the drive unit in a range that is
not corrosive to aluminum. This is accomplished by
changing the charge of water molecules so that they
do not remove electrons from the drive unit’s metal
parts that cause corrosion.
IMPORTANT! This system will not provide pro-
tection from stray currents emitted by a mal-
functioning AC power source on either your
boat, the pier, or other boats in close proximity
to yours. Although the zinc sacrificial anodes
will last much longer with this system, they
must still be cleaned and checked for material
condition periodically.
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