Community Forums

Greg121 · 04-18-2013, 06:52 AM

My anode hasn't deteriorated to speak of in a couple of years since I put in the new one. Its got some deposits on it but no deterioration.

Is it not doing its job? Or is this not unusual? Is deterioration of the anode related to what type of water is run through the heater?

Greg

paz · 04-18-2013, 07:07 AM

Deterioration of the anode will depend on how much water you run through the water heater and on the quality of the water. We are full-timers with an on-board washer/dryer that we use all the time, so we put a lot of water through the water heater. I drain and flush the tank 2 or 3 times a year and check the anode rod, but I typically only replace the anode once a year.

tompen · 04-18-2013, 08:48 AM

No need to replace it until it has almost corroded away. It is still working. It has to do with how much hot water you use and the quality of the water.
It really can't not work as long as it is still in one piece.

Qwert66 · 04-18-2013, 09:40 AM

Not sure if this makes a difference but some folks say you need to not electrically isolate the rod to the tank by using an insulator like a lot of Teflon pipe tape but rather use a pipe dope or anti sieze as long as you use it sparingly to not induce into the water. Hopefully others will chime in on this matter.
I'm not sure which is the proper mounting "stuff" and if it makes a difference.

J Birder · 04-18-2013, 12:39 PM

I would be very surprised if it is possible to use so much teflon tape that the anode rod is completely insulated from the body of the heater. The threads will bite through the tape and only a tiny area of contact is needed.

Joel

Sky_Boss · 04-18-2013, 01:15 PM

Do you have the aluminum or magnesium one? There is some conflicting information on which one is best. Take a look at this You Tube that talks about flushing a Suburban WH but talks about anode choice.

HOW TO: Flush a Suburban RV Water Heater - YouTube

"007" · 04-18-2013, 01:59 PM

As mentioned no tape if used use di-electric grease and tighten for no leaks needs to be metal to metal to work.
You may have not had bad water for it to dissolve.
Once it starts need to clean out tank or deposits can cause the egg smell especially during warmer months.

Greg121 · 04-18-2013, 06:11 PM

Thanks all. We've been fulltime for a couple of years so there has been water in the tank that long but for the cleaning last year. Guess we've been lucky with the type of water thats been there although we've been lots of different places.

I had heard that about the tape and I wasn't too worried about it but I also leave enough thread on the plug uncovered to make contact.

Greg

bartlettj · 04-19-2013, 02:23 PM

I had a Suburban tank on my old trailer... the Anode rod looked untouched for several years, then in one year it almost completely dissolved. I think I got 4 years out of that rod. I think your experience is fairly normal if you have good water with low ion content.

Bruce H · 10-14-2013, 11:59 AM

When I bought my RV it was 2 years old and when I changed the anode rod (suburban water heater) it was nearly 90% dissolved. Since that time I check every Jan 1, and it never shows any signs of dissolving a total of 6 years. I do for the most part use my own water however I have used other water many times. I also drain the fresh water at least twice a year and refill with my home water. On the video it is suggested the magnesium rod will work better. I really do not know which rod I have, but this year I will replace with the magnesium rod and see what happens. Maybe I have just been lucky using good water.
Thanks Sky Boss for the video, great info.

Walter5555 · 10-14-2013, 01:25 PM

I have a 1997 Dolphin which did not have a combination of Elect. and Propane water heater, only Propane.

Because we wanted to be able to use Elect. when we were hooked up at a R.V. Park I had installed a HOT STICK which is called Lightning Rod, it is a rod that you put into the drain port with simple wire connections so when you dry camp you will use Propane to heat your water but when you are connect to Elect. your hot water will be from the hot stick.
It will save you a lot of propane and money.

For more information you can call 1-503-982-7154 which is Northwest Leisure Products in Portland, Oregon.

P.S. You do not have to turn on your water heater when you are hooked up to Elect. The elect. will heat the water for you.

Once a year I clean out the Calcium deposits in the bottom of the tank.
Just a thought.