My drain plug shocked me!

[JustMyLuck]

I have a 1996 270 Sundancer with 7.4 Merc and Bravo 2 drive. I am the original owner and had something new happen this weekend. The boat was on the trailer and I went to unscrew the drain plug to drain some bilge cleaner I had put in for a few days and when I grabbed the plug I could feel electrical current running through the plug. Not enough to cause pain but I could feel it. I drained all of the water and let it dry but the current was still there a few hours later. I touched everything around it and nothing else was "hot" but the plug was, but maybe not as strong as it was at first. Could this be static electricity? Any suggestions? The battery switch was off and nothing was plugged into shore power.

thanks

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Perhaps the bilge pump wire grounding out? 12vts DC has enough power to let you know it. I assume that you are not connected to 110vt AC - right?

 

[JustMyLuck]

correct, not connected to any power source.

 

[SCORPIO]

Do you have Mercathode units on your outdrives? I had a similar experience when changing drive oil two years ago, I put one hand on the upper unit and grabbed the drain plug and I could feel a tingle in my finger tips. I had the Mercathodes connected at the time and I think that was the source of my stray currents.

 

[JustMyLuck]

Yes I do have a mercathode system. I will check again this weekend and see if it is still an issue. Thanks for the help.