Community Forums

Rdquest · 02-25-2020, 09:52 PM

I'm updating some parts on my water heater and have a few questions. First, the drain plug is metal. Everything says it should be plastic. Should I replace it or does it matter? At some point in the past a dirt dauber nest covered about half the front of the circuit board. Someone crumbled it off but lots of dirt chunks and residue are still on it. I was thinking I might take some dampened q tips and try to clean it off. What should I dampen the qtip with? I thought maybe water or alcohol or a cleaner. What do y'all suggest? The heater is an Atwood 6 gallon electronic ignition.

Wizard · 02-26-2020, 07:51 AM

The board should be encapsulated and waterproof. If electronics spray cleaner is not available, I would use alcohol in a small spray bottle and a soft paint brush. Water would probably work but would take a lot longer to dry.

Kahoona · 02-26-2020, 07:53 AM

The circuit board can be cleaned with a spray bottle filled with water and a softish brush. As long as you don't move or bend the bits you won't have a problem. Those boards go through a serious washing process after manufacturing. Just don't power it up till it gets a day to dry well. I used to restore old audio gear and we cleaned them all of the time.
I can't say for sure about the drain plug. There may be controversy here. The nylon ones can blow out leaving the heater to cook. I'd be sure to exercise the blow off valve by opening it slightly once in a while. Then I wouldn't worry.

A32Deuce · 02-26-2020, 08:55 AM

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Ljwt330 · 02-26-2020, 08:56 AM

Regarding the drain plug. You have an Atwood heater which uses an aluminum tank. Unless the plug is stainless steel, using a metal plug, especially brass, can create a corrosion problem between the dissimilar metals. I would replace it with a nylon plug.

Sundancer268 · 02-26-2020, 09:09 AM

If it is an Atwood, they have an Aluminum tank and any metal plug other than aluminum will cause the tank to destroy its self by galvanic corrosion. Plastic or aluminum is the only choice for long life. If worried about the plastic failing, just replace it every couple of seasons. Personally unless I am living on my tanks, I see no problem with the plug blowing out, the water just sprays out on to the ground.

MSHappyCampers · 02-26-2020, 10:16 AM

You can clean the circuit board with a spray can of non-residue electrical cleaner. Just be SURE to remove all power from it before cleaning! Let it dry thoroughly and then spray it with ignition sealer. I would put several coats on it. Don't reconnect the power until it is dry. I would wait a couple of hours just to be sure!