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07-31-2008, 04:24 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 17
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My white plastic 1/2 pipe thread drain plug on my hot water heater sprung a leak so I was replacing it with a galvanized pipe plug when a neighboring camper suggested that it may cause a corrosion problem as they are unlike materials. The female end of the hot water heater may be aluminum, but the galvanized plug would be unlikely to spring a leak like the plastic one did. Is there a recommendation on what type of plug to use? Thanks. Farminatr
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07-31-2008, 04:24 AM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 17
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My white plastic 1/2 pipe thread drain plug on my hot water heater sprung a leak so I was replacing it with a galvanized pipe plug when a neighboring camper suggested that it may cause a corrosion problem as they are unlike materials. The female end of the hot water heater may be aluminum, but the galvanized plug would be unlikely to spring a leak like the plastic one did. Is there a recommendation on what type of plug to use? Thanks. Farminatr
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07-31-2008, 04:32 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA. , South Beach, FL. Naples, Fl , Coral Gables,FL.
Posts: 1,112
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I would replace it with the OEM from the manufacture. they are not expensive and it is best to keep a spare in your tool box in the M/H
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07-31-2008, 06:01 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sioux Falls (fulltiming)
Posts: 361
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I bought a metal "drain" plug when we were not fulltiming. It was then easier to open its valve to drain the tank when we were not using the trailer.
Now, with fulltime use, I went back to the inexspensive plastic plug, and drain and flush the tank about every 4 months.
I have found that my external water softener greatly adds to salt deposits inside the heater, so I flush it more often now.
Doug
__________________
Doug and Jutta
2005 Forrest River Charleston 400TS DP
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07-31-2008, 06:13 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AMESBURY MA.
Posts: 2,103
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One of the main reasons they use plastic is because of overheating high pressure situations,plastic will blow off,thats in case the pressure relief valve fails. Corrosion with a brass plug has a potential to weld the plug to tank.I keep 3-4 plastic plugs in my tool box along with joint tape.Finger tight then a full turn with a pliers.
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Frankie
2006 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE 34N F-53
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07-31-2008, 07:22 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 303
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When we first got our unit the dealer recommended that I replace the plastic plug with a brass plug wrapped with teflon tape. I have also heard of corrosion using unlike metals. I flush our tank every 2 or 3 months and have not had a problem with corrosion in 4 years.
Paul
__________________
04 Silverado 3500 D/A DRW
04 Excel 33RSE
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07-31-2008, 08:25 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Fulltime TX Escapee
Posts: 8,901
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by clspds:
When we first got our unit the dealer recommended that I replace the plastic plug with a brass plug wrapped with teflon tape. I have also heard of corrosion using unlike metals. I flush our tank every 2 or 3 months and have not had a problem with corrosion in 4 years.
Paul </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
What Paul said. I use Permetex high performance thread sealer from auto parts store as we like to go real fast! Just teasin' about the later.
Doug,
You are right...there are still deposits with the water softener, but the residue is softer and easier to flush than non softened water deposits. We are FTing and I flush every 3-4 months. The Atwood rep says twice a year is all that's necessary. I get too much "stuff" out of it to let it go that far for me.
__________________
2012 Excel L33ft. GKE named Charm as in 3 times is a Charm. Love Fulltiming. Bullet '14 Chevy D/A 3500 LB CC DRW Summit White - Ebony Interior. Check out our blog at: https://claphamstravels.blogspot.com
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07-31-2008, 08:46 AM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,942
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Stay with the OEM plastic plug to avoid problems. They are cheap and a few spares are easy to carry.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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07-31-2008, 03:34 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 17
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Sounds like the consensus is to stay with the plastic. I'll get several when I get to the dealer, but it's about a hundred mile drive there and back and I couldn't do it for a plastic plug with the gas prices today. I have a plastic plug from the local farm store, but it doesn't look to be substantial like the OEM. Thanks again. Farminatr
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07-31-2008, 03:50 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sioux Falls (fulltiming)
Posts: 361
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you don't need to drive to an Excel dealer.
Any RV shop will have the plastic plugs
__________________
Doug and Jutta
2005 Forrest River Charleston 400TS DP
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07-31-2008, 04:28 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Excel Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 537
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Or order it online and pay 8 bucks shipping. That is like 7 mile one-way drive.
__________________
Larry & Patty Godby Guard Dogs are Jo Jo & Shadow
"Stars & Stripes" 2000 F-350 CrewCab LB 4x4 -"Freedom" 2003 33 RSE
Colorado Excel Club
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