Question for the cathodic protection folks

[moparguy]

I've got a 10 year old steel CM horse trailer that's giving me fits, can't keep the rust worms under control.



What if I attach a 1lb. magnesium anode to it. Somewhere on the frame out of sight. Would it make any difference?



Thanks, RR

 

[JApol]

Is the trailer all steel or are there other metals connected to it. Also, look at the wiring, if the lights are grounded to the frame or even powered by the frame it will cause electrolosys that will cause corrosion especially between steel and other metals. Thats where I would start

 

[moparguy]

It's all steel, so no dis-slimilar metal electrosysis. I believe the lights ground to the frame and skin.



I do think I've got a 1 lb. anode laying around. Don't know if it's worth hooking up or not.



Thanks, RR

 

[CTait]

Not sure of the process for protecting a vehicle. When protecting waterlines we always have to bury the sacrificial anode and lately we have been doing this in a tube of bentonite clay. I believe the clay provides optimum moisture for the anode to work. On a water tank we hang the anodes at different heights inside the tank. These anodes are stainless steel with a coating of platinum. I guess the way to tell would be to measure the potential before and after installing the anode. You want to be in the . 2 range if I remember correctly. I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to to bury your anode near where you usually park your trailer and plug it in whenever it is parked.