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hogone View Drop Down
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Joined: 09 Apr 2013
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Posts: 1060 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Anode Rod
    Posted: 11 May 2013 at 6:48pm
rog on all that
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TIDALWAVE View Drop Down
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Posts: 315 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2013 at 6:30pm
TongueSome of the anode rod will dissolve in the water. However, the loss of anode metal is not usually symmetrical so rod material will may break off into the heater from road vibration, etc.
I have found that it is a good idea to flush out the water lines by removing the aerators from the faucet outlets, and flushing some water through the lines at the beginning and end of each season.
I also wash out the aerators, if I notice some whitish sediment in/on the aerators.
The amount of rod loss depends on the chemistry of the water used.  I have had rods last multiple years and then barely last one season.  A rod that is nearly dissolved away is demonstrating the protection it has given to your heater.  Replacing a $15 rod is certainly cheaper than replacing a water heater tank.
Over the last couple of seasons, I have been draining the heater tank, if I do not expect to use the Pod for an extended period of time.  The longer the time water sits in the tank, the more loss of rod material.  I make sure that I fill the tank before I leave for the next trip...I don't want the tank to burn out because it was empty when I turn on the gas or the 110 house current
TIDALWAVE
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gappman View Drop Down
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Posts: 13 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2013 at 3:14pm
I did this at the recommendation of my parents who have been RV'ing most of their lives. No issues with water heaters for them and I drain the thing thoroughly when I return home. My trips are hardly longer than 3 days at a time anyway. 
Gary Piazza
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Posts: 1454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2013 at 11:31am
Originally posted by gappman

I pulled mine out and put a drain petcock in its place. 


  Not a good idea!  Google anode rod a little bit and find out why water heater manufacturers put these annoying little consumables in their water heaters in the first place.  They aren't necessary in the short run but they have a major impact on the life of your water heater.  Considering that most, if not all, of the opportunity for water heater failure is while you're on the road away from home, the inconvenience of fixing or replacing a water heater probably outweighs the expense, which will be way more than the cost of an anode rod.

  TT
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hogone View Drop Down
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Posts: 1060 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2013 at 7:39am
mine is half gone as well...........do you know if it basically dissolves, or are there actually chunks of it inside the heater?
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2013 at 7:07am
In two seasons mine is half gone.  I would rather have the sacrificial rod melting instead of the heater.  
Keith-N-Dar
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gappman View Drop Down
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Posts: 13 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2013 at 1:01am
I pulled mine out and put a drain petcock in its place. 
Gary Piazza
www.garypiazza.com
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Posts: 1454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2013 at 9:06pm
Pipe threads are meant to get tight.
TT
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 May 2013 at 6:42pm
Use a brass brush to clean the threads - I bought a toothbrush-shaped one at the dollar store that works great.

Also, my plug doesn't screw flush into the heater; it sits proud about 3/8".  That said, YMMV
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2013 at 8:27pm
The plug is pipe thread.  Pipe thread is tapered so it will run tight and not leak.  As said, add tefflon tape, make tight, check for leaks, camp.
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
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