What is the real purpose of it? My boat has been sitting along time and wont fire. I poked at the mercathode with a test light but until I find out what the letters on the lugs represent I`m lost. Is it a breaker for the complete electrical to the engine?

It is simply for corrision control...if your boat won't start looks somewhere else...that is not going to be your problem.

It induces current to the metal parts of the outdrive to prevent galvanic corrosion. Nothing to do with starting or running.

Thanks fellas!

Post a pic. Some Mercathode frames have a slave solenoid(spelling?) underneith that puts juice to the starter. If the slave solenoid goes bad, engine won't start.

It will run the battery down if it sits long enough.

I want to pull mine off. I boat in fresh water, always lifted. Any reason to keep it? It's vintage 1986!

Nope - Pull it. There is a hot lead on it though ... make sure you secure it so it won't ground out.

damn, I`m gonna yank mine too! itll clean up the look alot on mine seeing how its mounted on the front of the motors.