SeaBis Electrolysis Control System
Preventing Electrolytic Corrosion and Electric Shock Drowning
May 5, 2008
Electrolytic corrosion, commonly referred to by boaters as electrolysis, causes substantial damage and many deaths each year. The natural process of galvanic corrosion is harmful to boats, but adding an electrical current to the mix increases the amount corrosion occurring by an order of magnitude. Australia's Glen Bishop has developed the SeaBis System that may prove useful to boaters worldwide.
Electrolytic Corrosion (Electrolysis) - This phenomenon has been discussed previously in detail here at Boating and Sailing. Corrosion occurs on boats when two dissimilar metals come into contact with each other through immersion in an electrolyte. It turns out that salt water is an excellent electrolyte. This natural process is known as galvanic corrosion and boaters have many options at their disposal to control the damage caused by this process. Introduction of electrical current into this process creates an entirely more serious problem. Known by many as "stray current", the energy inadvertently poured into a boat greatly accelerates the corrosion process. Adding to this problem, the introduction of stray shore power into a fresh water mooring environment causes electric shock drowning.
The SeaBis System is a method of identifying the causes of stray current present onboard a vessel. Items like misconnected bilge pumps, use of automotive style battery chargers, and household extension cords to provide shore power can introduce stray current into a vessel and marina. SeaBis is as much a systematic approach to foiling electrolysis, as it is an equipment package. The system centers on installation of the SeaBis stray current detector.
SeaBis Installation Procedure - Glen Bishop has developed a methodical approach to addressing stray current problems:
- Establish the Presence of Shipboard Electrolysis - Vessel owners can spot signs of electrolysis by observing the thinning of vessel hulls, active loss of metal on props and rudders, rapid loss of protective anodes, and damage visible along weld seams
- Install the SeaBis Stray Current Detector - The detector measures stray coming through any metal in contact with the water
- Isolate Sources of Stray Current - Boat owners can isolate and identify the sources of stray current by shutting down all shipboard circuits and turning each one on in turn until the problem is identified
- Repair and Correct Source of Stray Current - Once the source of stray current is isolated, SeaBis offers a number of devices to help eliminate the problem. These can range from battery switches to automatic battery isolators
The SeaBis electrolysis corrosion prevention kit includes a stray current detector, anode voltage tester, a boaters guide to marine corrosion, battery isolators depending on the vessel, installation and stray current repair instructions, and a wiring diagram. Purchasers are entitled to ongoing support from the company online.
SeaBis is just starting to branch out of Australia and establish dealerships in other regions. Boaters should watch for the availability of the SeaBis System in their areas. This corrosion prevention product shows promise for boaters battling damage caused by electrolytic corrosion and concerned about preventing electric shock drowning.
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