Stray electrical current??

[River Ghost]

I was putting on my shaft zincs today while sitting on wet ground and I felt a very mild shock. I tested the current with a ohm meter and found both shafts to be charged with about 3.5 volts DC. Is this a major problem or is this normal?

[Reel-Deals-1st]

There is obviously a bad ground/bond somewhere. I would check the grounds on your engines. It may even be worth it to pull them off, clean, and reattach them. I would work back from there. -Jeff

[Dan Harvey]

I'm having a similar issue, the protection on all underwater metals is breaking down. The only common is the green grounding wires, which all seem clean and tight.
Let me and this forum know if you find anything ! I will do the same.
Thanks, Dan of "Harvey Wavebanger Too III "

[River Ghost]

Looked into this problem and found everything to be ok within the boat. Then consulted with a marine elecrical enginer at Viking Yachts, and he explained that when on the hard and the boat is hooked up to shore power any stray current will find the path of least resistance to ground. When in the water this is not the case as the path of least resistance is the grounding plate.

[T380fisher]

River Ghost, I am glad to offer you this advise....never work under your boat (on the hard) while it is plugged into shore power. The Viking rep got it correct, "You" were THE path of least resistance and you were very lucky. Instead of a mild shock, next time you could be electrocuted.

Admin...this is important enough to put on your winterizing checklist. Many people do not know of this potentially deadly danger while working under their boats.

[logadmin]

:goodpost: Great point! Passing it on to the apporiate person...

[Reel-Deals-1st]

Simply taking a piece of chain and wrapping it around a strut or other bonded gear and letting it lie on the ground should offer adequate protection. -Jeff