Installation and Maintenance Manual form 185
Page 11
3.4
MOUNTING COPPER-NICKEL COOLERS ON
ALUMINUM HULLS
3.4.1
An electrical barrier must be placed between the
GRIDCOOLER® unit and the hull. R. W. Fernstrum &
Company does not formally approve any method of
installing a copper-nickel GRIDCOOLER Keel Cooler
on unpainted aluminum hulled vessels. However, the
following technique has been used on hundreds of
boats.
3.4.2
Sandblast the area of the hull where the unit will be
installed.
3.4.3
Coat the sandblasted area with a two-part fiberglass
epoxy resin.
3.4.4
Spray the resin on in four separate coats. Do not use
any matting. Spray each coat just heavy enough so
that it does not start to run off.
3.4.5
After spraying on the fourth coat, and while the
resin is still tacky, prime the entire area with the hull
priming paint used on the rest of the vessel’s hull.
3.4.6
Apply the final bottom paint, and then install the
cooler.
