Gen 1 or Gen 2?

[NW Redneck]

What are the differences between the Alpha one gen 1 and 2? My father in law's boat needs new zincs & I'm trying to figgure out which ones he needs. Boat is moored and I couldn't see any numbers on it when I stuck my mask on and had a look. It has zincs on the trim rams which are shown in the gen 2 kits, but they could have been added after right?
Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Gen 1 or Gen 2?

What year is it? (The drive, not the boat, they aren't always the same)
The Gen II's didn't come out till 91
Here is a link to help you ID it.
mercstuff.com/

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Gen 1 or Gen 2?

Thank you sir! The link was great! I believe I have a 1st gen alpha one. Is it common to add the ball-type zincs on the rams on these? The 1st gen kits I see don't have these but the gen2 do.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gen 1 or Gen 2?

If these are the type zincs you are calling
"Ball Zincs", then yes they are common, but not factory by any streatch of the imagination.
The Gen II drives have a C shaped anode that screws onto the cylinder end cap, not clamped onto the shaft.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: Gen 1 or Gen 2?

Them's the ones! They're clamped to the rams, not the C-shaped ones shown in the kits. So not factory to save $$$ or not needed? I've read that over-zincing is bad too, so if they're not needed I won't replace them.
Thanks for the help don! I'd buy ya a beer but shipping to AK would shake it up too much.8)