Water Heater Anode

[Latitude]

Removed plug/anode to drain for winterizing. The anode is corroded. Should I get a new one??? or Do I even need the Anode???

Rick

[Latitude]

Removed plug/anode to drain for winterizing. The anode is corroded. Should I get a new one??? or Do I even need the Anode???

Rick

[dieselclacker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Latitude:
Removed plug/anode to drain for winterizing. The anode is corroded. Should I get a new one??? or Do I even need the Anode???

Rick </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rick,the anode is supposed to corrode, that is how it works. As for replacement, depends on the degree of corrosion.I would leave it, you really should have one in the heater. You can always replace it next year if you are not sure.

Dieselclacker

[Latitude]

For the most part there is only some corossion but near the plug end it is about 50% corroded!!! Rick

[GaryKD]

The rods are not expensive. I think Home Depot and Lowes may carry them. I get mine from Camping world. If you replace it now, you'll have a baseline to measure how long it takes before it needs replacing again.

[Latitude]

Good idea Gary I will get a new one!!!! How long should one last????
Rick

[GaryKD]

There is no time for how long a rod will last. It depends on the water that is run through the tank.

[Norm Payne]

If it is corroded (eaten away) 50% on one end and the other end is mostly there, the anode rod still has a long useful life. I travel fulltime and mine usually last about three years. Every six months I remove the anode rod and inspect it, and flush out the water heater.

[oemtech]

I also fulltime and found the anode rod will last a long time depending on 3 things:

1) Constant water flow. In both rigs I have owned (class C and A) I was changing the anode rod almost yearly if I just used it occasionally (w/e's or short summer trips). But, once I started to fulltime I am on year 3 from the last change. I check, clean and flush the tank yearly at minimum.

2) Quality of water.... Well water at various camp grounds will eat it up in a hurry.

3) A whole house water filter. I change the filter every 3 months and you would be surprised at bad they look some times. I also have an RO water system in my rig and I change the filters every 6 months.

ANODE ROD


Clean RO Filters



Dirty RO Filters


NOTE - Atwood water heaters do not use a anode rod.

[Latitude]

Hey Dale I have been checking out your RV Tips VERY NICE I must say, and I have a couple of ?? My Water Heater is a Suburban and my anode looks like your Anode #1 pic This is likely the original So I will get a new one.
What RO system are you using???
What Brand/Type of paint did you use to paint the vent covers??? I want to get some covers and was thinking of the Black!!! I was hesitant to paint for fear of pealing!!

Thanks Rick

[oemtech]

I am using a Watts 5 stage... This is the older design so it is a 4:1 system. The new versions are almost 0 waste.

For the vent covers I used a cross over paint from the Sherwin-Williams paint codes from a local paint provider. But, if you are using black then any paint could be used. You could even use "rattle" can paint and clear. But the important part is the PREP. Remove the decals with a heat gun, sand with wet/dry 220 (lots of water), then 400, dry, wipe with a tack rag, spray with Krylon Plastic primer, let dry up to 24 hours, sand with 400 again,tick rag, 2nd coat of primer, let dry up to 24 hours, tack rag, spray with black and let dry up to 24 hours. Now you can sand with 600 or tack rag and hit with 2 coats of clear. Lot of work but it sure looks good and lasts a long time.

[Tom N]

OEMTECH, nice photos as usual.

Where did you get the tank cleaning wand???

-Tom

[Latitude]

Dale Not sure what you mean about RO being 4:1 and 0 Waste???

Agree 100% about the prep BEFORE painting!!! and you have it down perfect!!!

Thanx Rick

[oemtech]

The older RO systems use 4 gals of water to produce 1 gal of pure water.. The newer systems are almost 0 waste.

I got the cleaning wand at the local RV dealer. But, I think CW has them.