Zinc Anode Confusion...

[dan4jc]

I just ordered my AutoPilot RC52 SWG and am planning on installing everything in October once I close down for the summer, so I’ll be ready to go in the spring. When I spoke with my local pool company, they said I should use a zinc anode to help with corrosion. They use either the one that goes in the skimmer or the one that clamps to the ladder. I started researching these and, as you can imagine, found varying information everywhere I looked. From this, I have a few questions.

I read that the skimmer ones are useless because they are not connected to the bonding system. Would the same be true for the ladder clamp type?

I also saw the in-line ones that connect to the bonding system. Seems like a small price to pay if it helps – any drawbacks anyone knows about?

I’ve also read it should be buried in the dirt and connected to the bonding system, but I read somewhere else that this is only good for plastic walls. I have steel walls.

Anyone that has had a SWG for 5+ years share their experience with corrosion? Is keeping water balanced properly and hosing off rails, aluminum coping, mesh anchors and concrete deck weekly if there’s no rain all it takes?

Anyone has any knowledge/experience that would be willing to share, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chuckiechan]

Since no one here seems to have an answer, I'd suggest you call an electrician. They might have an answer for you.

This is a bit geeky, buy maybe your answer is in here:

http://www.performancemetals.com/anodes/AnodeFAQs.shtml

It does appear to me that all metal objects need to be wired together, but not necessarily to ground. It appears that the sacrificial anode substitutes for the "ground" as electric potential transfers from the most "noble" - stainless steel and brass to the least noble - the zinc anode, and reacts there instead.

What metal do you have other than side walls and the ladder?

 

[duraleigh]

Far and away, proper pH balance at all times is more important than a sacrificial anode. Why do you think you need one?

 

[bdex]

I have sacrificial anodes in my skimmer and on my ladder. The ones on the ladder see significantly more corrosion than the one In The skimmer. My ladder cups are metal and hence on the bonding grid, that may have something to do with it. I am installing the inline variety you mentioned in the spring when I replace my cheap ball valves with the Jandy no lubes.


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[dan4jc]

Thanks for the link, chuckiechan. It was an interesting read, but I have more questions now. The only metal that is actually under-water is the ladder and the screws for the light and skimmer face. If those are the same type of metal, I would think an anode would not be needed. I don't know what types of screws are normally used there. If they're not aluminum (which I don't think they would be), then the aluminum ladder would be less noble than the screws, so the ladder would corrode?? Anyone else have any thoughts?

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Far and away, proper pH balance at all times is more important than a sacrificial anode. Why do you think you need one?

I think I need one because I see so much discussed about it. But I also know that there is a lot of mis-information and misunderstanding out there, which is why I like this site so much. Please read my response to Chuckichan above to see if I'm on track or completely off-base. Thanks!

- - - Updated - - -

I have sacrificial anodes in my skimmer and on my ladder. The ones on the ladder see significantly more corrosion than the one In The skimmer. My ladder cups are metal and hence on the bonding grid, that may have something to do with it. I am installing the inline variety you mentioned in the spring when I replace my cheap ball valves with the Jandy no lubes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for sharing, bdex. I am leaning toward the in-line variety as well. I don't really see any drawbacks to doing so. It's a relatively minor cost (~$80, plus ~$40 every few years to replace the zinc) compared to replacing metal that has become corroded.

Does anyone see any drawbacks from using a zinc anode? I appreciate any thoughts.