Atwood water heater G6A-8E WIN and anode plug confusion?

[ualdriver]

My "new to me" MH has a Atwood G6A-8E WIN water heater. I was winterizing it today, and removed the drain plug. I was surprised to see that the drain plug was actually an anode rod.

I thought Atwood water heaters DID NOT require an anode rod? I removed the partially decomposed rod and replaced it with one of those plastic plugs. Having never owned an Atwood water heater before, that threaded plastic plug is all I need in that water heater drain when operating the water heater next year, correct?

Thanks for the clarification.

[Old-Biscuit]

CORRECT!!!!!

Atwood WH Tank is Aluminum with a aluminum/zinc 'cladding' for protection

Atwood drain hole bung has aluminum threads hence the NYLON drain plug.
Drain hole threads and the Nylon plug threads are 1/2" NPT----Tapered threads that self seal when tightened.
Only need to install finger tight then snug down with socket.

If tank threads are dirty/corroded.....use a brass 1/2" NPT nipple to 'chase' the threads cleaning them up (cheap pipe tap)

NYLON used for 2 reasons:
*Nylon threads will become damaged instead of the aluminum threads in WH Tank
*Nylon has a heat rating of ~400*F (OVC/CPVC 200*F or less------T&P Relief Valve 210*F temp setting)

The previous owner got caught up in the aftermarket hype.
"If it is mfg/sold I must need it"

Atwood water heaters do NOT require an anode rod and Atwood even states they are NOT recommended.

[ualdriver]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

CORRECT!!!!!

Atwood WH Tank is Aluminum with a aluminum/zinc 'cladding' for protection

Atwood drain hole bung has aluminum threads hence the NYLON drain plug.
Drain hole threads and the Nylon plug threads are 1/2" NPT----Tapered threads that self seal when tightened.
Only need to install finger tight then snug down with socket.

If tank threads are dirty/corroded.....use a brass 1/2" NPT nipple to 'chase' the threads cleaning them up (cheap pipe tap)

NYLON used for 2 reasons:
*Nylon threads will become damaged instead of the aluminum threads in WH Tank
*Nylon has a heat rating of ~400*F (OVC/CPVC 200*F or less------T&P Relief Valve 210*F temp setting)

The previous owner got caught up in the aftermarket hype.
"If it is mfg/sold I must need it"

Atwood water heaters do NOT require an anode rod and Atwood even states they are NOT recommended.

Cool. I guess the previous owner shoved an anode rod in there to confuse me : ) Didn't realize those nylon plugs were so durable, being able to withstand 400F!

Thanks!

[daveshirley]

This is very good information! Thank you. I was reading my latest MH Mag this weekend on the last day of our trip when I came up on an article about "care and feeding of the water heater when lo and behold the water heater miss fired and would not light the light in the panel was very faint but lite. No fire or combustion. Got any suggestions on this?


DaveShirley
"99" Fleetwood Discovery

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by daveshirley

This is very good information! Thank you. I was reading my latest MH Mag this weekend on the last day of our trip when I came up on an article about "care and feeding of the water heater when lo and behold the water heater miss fired and would not light the light in the panel was very faint but lite. No fire or combustion. Got any suggestions on this?


DaveShirley
"99" Fleetwood Discovery

Bad 12V DC connection



Course that is just a shot in the dark as your post is very vague ....lacking details

Brand/Model would be a good starting point.
And might consider starting your own thread about your WH issue for larger audience and more responses.

[daveshirley]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Bad 12V DC connection



Course that is just a shot in the dark as your post is very vague ....lacking details

Brand/Model would be a good starting point.
And might consider starting your own thread about your WH issue for larger audience and more responses.

I will get more info. thank you for the response! Are there that many versions of the Atwood water heater? His(in the picture) looks some much like mine. I was a shot in the dark for me to ask it. I have seen some You Tube videos on the subject but haven't given those a go yet. Have a good one and thanks again.

Daveshirley
"99' Fleetwood Discovery

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by daveshirley

I will get more info. thank you for the response! Are there that many versions of the Atwood water heater? His(in the picture) looks some much like mine. I was a shot in the dark for me to ask it. I have seen some You Tube videos on the subject but haven't given those a go yet. Have a good one and thanks again.

Daveshirley
"99' Fleetwood Discovery

YES there are many different models of both Atwood and Suburban

Basically/generic they work similar but there are distinct differences

Atwood 2003 and previous models are very different from 2004 and newer models which are slightly different then the Atwood XT models
Suburban models are very similar except for their DEL Models

So YES Brand/Model does make a difference.

[daveshirley]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

YES there are many different models of both Atwood and Suburban

Basically/generic they work similar but there are distinct differences

Atwood 2003 and previous models are very different from 2004 and newer models which are slightly different then the Atwood XT models
Suburban models are very similar except for their DEL Models

So YES Brand/Model does make a difference.

Thank you for the information and your quick diagnosis was correct! It was a bad connection. a little sandpaper on the connections and back to work it went. Thank you for that as well The advantage of your knowledge gave quicker possible than if I had run a thread (which I have done before) gave me too many possible! Hopefully I can help you in the future! Safe Travels!

daveshirley
"99" Fleetwood Discovery

[Tony Lee]

Didn't realize those nylon plugs were so durable, being able to withstand 400F!

Hmmmmm! Durable until they fail which is certain, and then you are in a spot of bother so either keep that anode or buy a spare nylon plug for when the time comes.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Tony Lee

Hmmmmm! Durable until they fail which is certain, and then you are in a spot of bother so either keep that anode or buy a spare nylon plug for when the time comes.

Atwood water heater Nylon Drain plugs come TWO to the pack.

Over-tightening them is main reason for failure.
Install finger tight and then just snug up-----threads are tapered

In 10 years I have only used 3 and I drain water heater routinely

["007"]

You really should not use the Anode rod because when it decomposes it will jell and settle to bottom of tank and may cause other problems with the tank interior, get the plastic plug.