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Electronic Rust Protection

12K views 15 replies 9 participants last post by  Alphonse  
#1 ·
When I bought my 2002 Odyssey new I opted for the electronic rust control module. The van was rust free for about 15yrs. I know there is mixed reviews on these but I thought since I kept it I would install it on my new CRV. The module was connected to be on all the time and was wired directly to the battery. It is a simple install but I would like some advice on this. Should I wire it to a different source than the battery? Should I not use it, will it cause battery issues? The same dealer that sold me the Odyssey said it would be OK to use. Thanks
 
#3 ·
Sorry but I'm pretty sure that is kind of a snake oil product, I looked it up and they talk about an electric current that prevents the oxidation, but the body of the car is just one big piece of metal, you can't make current flow everywhere without attaching wires everywhere...

 
#6 ·
Thats right, all car dealers pitch these devices. I was always skeptical but being in Ontario decided to try it on my Odyssey when I bought it new. The underside of the van and body panels were pretty much rust free for 15 yrs and our roads see a ton of salt. I did no other rust protection at all. I am scheduled for Krown to be done but keep second guessing myself on that idea. I am just worried the small constant trickle current might be hard on the battery, considering all the posts I see on failed batteries. Where is the best place under the hood to pickup 12v other than the battery posts?
 
#8 ·
The"trickle current" is supplied by the battery regardless of where you connect the device so the best connection is probably at the battery. A good undercoat, including inside panels, is better protection IMHO, but my experience is that the rust will develop anyway where chips or cracks occur in the finish due to impact, flexing or scuffing, typically the leading edge of the hood, around the front and rear windows, and around the door handles. Of course, as always, YMMV.
 
#7 ·
I refused it when I purchased my 2019 CR-V. Had it on my two previous vehicles and it was useless on both. Also, forget trying to get warranty compensation if rust does develop unless you're willing to pursue it in court. (I'm in southern Ontario where the roads are covered in salt every winter).
 
#12 · (Edited)
Well, from a physics perspective... low level currents have proven effective for many decades in inhibiting rust formation, and other forms of metal corrosion. So it it's not snake oil per se.. but owners need to understand how low level electric currents work to prevent corrosion (not just rust, but also parasitic currents caused by dis-similar metals with some form of low level conductor).

The only reason I can see for attempting this on motor vehicles would be if one drives in environments that present abnormal corrosion (mainly salts.. either driving in or around salt water, or salt from road surfaces in winter).

How well any such system will work on a CRV would very much depend on the actual system installed, that it was installed correctly (how would you know.. until years later when you have corrosion?), and the environment it is up against.

In the maritime industry, they constantly have to manage low current induced corrosion through battery effects of dis-similar metals and water as the electrolyte, but much of this is still performed passively through proper use of dis-similar metals. Basically, they use a sacrificial block of metal to insure the current induced corrosion eats the sacrificial metal and leaves all the important other metal parts on the ship alone. In other words, they manage the direction of the natural currents resulting from different metal parts + salt water.

For motor vehicles, I would stick with passive anti-corrosion techniques like special under-coatings or finishes, etc. Reason: it is pretty difficult to test and insure an active system like this is working properly.. until it is too late. What if it silently fails and you never know it?

Engineering Rule Number 1: KISS (Keep is stupid simple) .... Never use an active system to manage something in a motor vehicle, if there are effective passive methods available.
 
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