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Topic: Hot Water Heater-Anode Rod Installation (Read 777 times) previous topic - next topic
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Hot Water Heater-Anode Rod Installation

Yahoo Message Number: 12525
Recently we were parked at Star Valley when two University of Arizona Professors were cleaning out their hot water heater and installing a new anode rod in the clean out hole. After seeing all the calcium and other material come out, decided to do the same. Campers World sells a 4.5 inch long anode rod and a plastic water hose attachment called a Tank Saver. Cleaned our heater today, unbelievable amount of junk below the the normal drain line, flushed it out with the Tank Saver. Installed the Anode(Goes in the hole where the plug is removed). They recommend minimal Teflon tape in the directions, ended up with 3 wraps to get it to seal. This should ad a few years to the heaters life from past experience on home water heaters with anode rods installed . John
2002 Allure
#30702

Re: Hot Water Heater-Anode Rod Installation

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 12532
Hi John,

Two considerations:

If your tank is the same as mine which is made of aluminum, I would be worried about electrolysis between the anode and the aluminum with the aluminum being eaten away.

If the anode body comes in contact with the threads of the tank, then they may be eaten away faster.

Please check on this and verify that your anode is compatible with your tank metal.

Mine came with a plastic plug. A brass plug as some folks have installed would eat away the tank aluminum.
Fred Kovol

Quote from: countryjrc
Recently we were parked at Star Valley when two University of

Arizona

Quote
Professors were cleaning out their hot water heater and installing a > new anode rod in the clean out hole. After seeing all the calcium > and other material come out, decided to do the same. Campers World > sells a 4.5 inch long anode rod and a plastic water hose attachment > called a Tank Saver. Cleaned our heater today, unbelievable amount > of junk below the the normal drain line, flushed it out with the

Tank

Re: Hot Water Heater-Anode Rod Installation

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 12537
John

Quote
>>On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 05:37:00 -0000, countryjrc wrote:
Installed the Anode(Goes in the hole where the plug is removed).
Unless CC has changed water heater brands, the Atwood's do not require anodes due to their construction.

Terry

99 Magna 5703

Re: Hot Water Heater-Anode Rod Installation

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 12538
Let me share my experience with an after market anode rod for my 10 gal. Atwood water heater. After installing the first one, I decided to replace it after a year. When I tried to remove it, I discovered the zinc anode had coroaded and bonded to the threaded tank drain. I was finally able to drill it out and fish the mild steel core rod out of the tank with a magnet. I then flushed the remaing debris out and replaced the original nylon plug. Obviously, I would never again attempt to use one!

Gary Stanton

2002 Intrigue-11467
 

Re: Hot Water Heater-Anode Rod Installation

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 12539
My '95 still has only a nylon plug in the original HW heater. I've drained it and no debris. The calcium is just from heating hard water. Just drain your tank every few months. Takes 5 minutes. If it didn't come with an anode, I wouldn't put one in.

Mike

'95 Intrigue 10061