Anode For Suburban Water Heater

[Shanwick]

I need to replace the anode on my Suburban water heater. Both magnesium and aluminum anodes are offered for sale. Is there any advantage to using one or the other?

[Shanwick]

I need to replace the anode on my Suburban water heater. Both magnesium and aluminum anodes are offered for sale. Is there any advantage to using one or the other?

[RV Wizard]

Magnesium is what Suburban originally installed. I am not sure if you used an aluminum, if the same amount of protection would be available or not. Good question.

[paz]

Magnesium is more reactive than aluminum and, although you would need to replace it more often, magnesium would theoretically provide more protection. Magnesium would undoubtedly be more expensive than aluminum, at least in the short run.

[Shanwick]

Thanks guys. This will be the first replacement anode as the motorhome was new last year. I bought a magnesium anode today, price was about the same as aluminum.

[AkTrek]

Shanwick, Better safe than sorry. I believe that the boilers in the Suburban and the Atwood are made out of different metals and therefore require a different anode rod. One is aluminum and the other is stainless steel. This is from the camping world site

Protect your water heater from corrosion. Anode Rods attract corrosive elements in water, so they attack the anode rod rather than the interior of your water heater's tank. Simply remove the plastic drain plug and insert the anode rod. Atwood Anode Rod is made of magnesium; Suburban Anode Rod is made of aluminum. When replacement is necessary, unscrew the old one and insert the new one. Anode Rods are easily replaced and should be checked every three months.
Also:
Atwood Anode rod is .5" dia. and 4-1/2" long
Suburban Anode Rod is .75" dia. and 9-1/2" long.

Hope this helps!