What are frame anodes?

[GlacierGirl]

The 2021 Owner's Manual mentions there are several "frame anodes" which may occasionally need replacing (pg. 98). Where are those sacrificial zinc-anodes?

Barb

[Golfnut]

They are mounted on the alum. Frame about the size of a nickel with a rivet holding it, i think. There are several of them?  

[Galway Girl]

If you look in the wheel wells you see them where the steel reinforced frame touches the aluminum frame.   They are about the diameter of a quarter.

 

Edited Wednesday at 07:22 PM by Galway Girl

[GlacierGirl]

Thank you, @Golfnut and @Galway Girl! I wonder how we know when they need replacing... and where one buys these anodes.🤔 I've never before heard folks talk about these.

[Galway Girl]

The reason they are installed is that Oliver's main frame is Aluminum, but the axles are mounted with a reinforced steel frame.
Where those two metals meet there could be corrosion unless some other "sacrificial" item is added touching both steel and aluminum.

Due to electrolysis, the zincs dissolve away and will look ratty and crumbled so you see it when it's time to replace them.
That can take a very long time on the Oliver hull unless you are driving in wet/salty conditions.  (Like maybe 10 years or more.)

They are available at most boating supply stores or online as "round sacrificial zinc".  $3 each.
The factory service center also has them in stock and can mail you them if needed.
The round ones shown are often used on outboard motors which are in salt water and fresh water...thus available at marine suppliers.

Take a look at the 1:35 mark in this video on the chassis construction to see the actual installed anode.

 

 

Hope that helps.

CS

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 10:52 PM by Galway Girl

[GlacierGirl]

42 minutes ago, Galway Girl said:

will look ratty and crumbled so you see it when it's time to replace them.

 

43 minutes ago, Galway Girl said:

They are available at most boating supply stores or online as "round sacrificial zinc".  $3 each.
The factory service center also has them in stock and can mail you them if needed.
The round ones shown are often used on outboard motors which are in salt water and fresh water...thus available at marine suppliers.

Thank you so very much for explaining what I should watch for, and where to purchase. You gave a helpful explanation.😊

Barb

[SeaDawg]

In the boating world, they're called sacrificial zincs. Just like the anode in a standard 6 gallon  water heater, they are made of less noble metal, and protect the important and superior metal parts by "dying/eroding" first. 

As @Galway Girl explained, when they get ugly, replace, and you're protecting your frame. 

cheap, and easy peasy. 

[GlacierGirl]

Thank you all! I seem to be learning something new every day about Olivers!