Isn't zinc the major component of a sacrificial anode? Sorta like attracting it huh?



*stands corrected on the gold plated bolts

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Salt water is the major component.

It depends... most fresh water is to some extent conductive. Vitreous enamel (`glass') lined water heaters all have a sacrificial anode, it lasts about 6 years usually. Just past the warranty period...
Anode composition varies depending on the location, ie. how hard the water is- it's an alloy of zinc, magnesium and aluminium.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Doubt a tropical fish tank heater would get to 60C. In my youth I used to keep fish, and my dim memory tells me the max temp was about 40C or less.

Mike would know, he had tropical and marine setups much longer than me.
KB

Ahem, Yes, I'm surprised the ACCC don't knock on Rh**m's door over that. It's so common to hear people say their Hot water system carks it around that time. Mine took 10 years. At the time mine went, a quick cruize through the streets saw at least four others on the footpath within a month or so of mine as well.
KB

Sorta... It's lower in the galvanic series to steel so could become the sacrifical metal should a 'battery' be formed. There is an explanation on the galvanic series here.

The main reason for replating bolts is to restore the finish so they look new. Be careful though as they clean parts with hydrochloric acid and this can cause hydrogen embrittlement.

I would suggest getting only good looking bolts/parts replated to restore finish, bin those that are heavily corroded or don't have any of the original plating left.

Daniel

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Videos - Turbocharged A-Series on Dyno & at Wakefield
Mafs waz not my strong subgeckt at skkol

Here's something for those of you with lots of parts to plate. There are lots of different types of home plating kits - the really good models come with everything you need and the site has prices.

http://www.eplate.com.au/

Sorry if everyone has seen it before.

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"In two years time your car will be like a lady's clothes, out of date, my car will still be in fashion when I am dead" - Sir Alec speaking to Pininfarina

Yep those kits (and results) look good.
I got mine from www.janekits.com.au
there are prices on there too.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

What's the goldbrite zinc?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

It's zinc that has been passivated I think, makes it look a bit like cad plate.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Pretty sure that's what they must have done with my bolts, I don't remember them talking about nickel, only zinc.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

How about this one?

Now thats ghetto!

try using your rheem heater in a bigger tank (garbage bin?) and pumping the hot water through a copper coil in the small tank. that way you can control the temp with flow by a ball valve, and the heater is electrically isolated from the plating bath....

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

I have a link somehwere for DIY plating - I will see if I can did it up

<EDIT>
Here you go
http://www.mckennasgarage.com/xke/jag_16.htm