Section 5 - Maintenance
90-8M0074352
eng
OCTOBER 2012
Page 89
Maintaining Ground Circuit Continuity
The transom assembly and sterndrive are equipped with a ground wire circuit to ensure good electrical continuity between the
engine, transom assembly, and sterndrive components. Good continuity is essential for the MerCathode System to function
effectively.
MerCathode System Battery Requirements
The Mercury MerCruiser MerCathode system requires a minimum battery charge of 12.6 volts at all times to maintain
functionality.
Boats equipped with a MerCathode system that use shore power, and are not run for a long period of time, must use a battery
charger to maintain a minimum battery charge of 12.6 volts or above.
Boats equipped with a MerCathode system that do not have access to shore power must be operated often enough to maintain
a minimum battery charge of 12.6 volts or above at all times.
Anodes and MerCathode System Locations
IMPORTANT: Replace sacrificial anodes if eroded 50 percent or more.
The following sacrificial anodes are installed at different locations on your power package. These anodes help protect against
galvanic corrosion by sacrificing their metal to be slowly eroded instead of the metal components on the power package.
MerCathode system—
Electrode assembly replaces the anode block. System should be tested to ensure adequate output. The
test should be performed where boat is moored, using Quicksilver reference electrode and test meter.
