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Ralphie2 View Drop Down
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Joined: 12 Feb 2015
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Water heater anode
    Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 10:20pm
We bought our 178 earlier this year and have been out for 3 long weekends. I removed the anode after each use. This last weekend there was leaking around the anode where it screws in. It seemed to me I had it as tight as possible though a few threds showed. I would like to resolve this before our first extended trip in October and would appreciate any suggestions. 
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Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
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Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Sep 2015 at 11:15pm
Hello from San Antonio and congratulations on your new 178, we have one as well. It's normal to see a few threads exposed on the anode rod. If its leaking I would pull it out and clean both the tank and rod threads with a stiff brush. Maybe even a small wire brush if necessary taking care to not contaminate the tank. After you have the threads clean and dry wrap the anode rod about three times with teflon tape counter clock wise. Its kinda stretchy to wrap it tight, but not so tight that it over stretches and thins the tape. Install the anode rod and snug it up. There are other plumbing products that can be used if the tape fails to stop the leak. Good luck, come on back and let us know how it works out. 
Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
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Ralphie2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 8:52am
Thanks for the suggestion. We will give it a try
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Joined: 18 Aug 2015
Location: Chico, CA
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Posts: 215 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 11:26am
Just wondering, why do you remove the anode rod?
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 1:10pm
+1 for threads will still show, +1 for cleaning the threads on the tank, and +1 for using teflon tape

BTW, there is an anode rod available for Suburban heaters which has a built-in drain plug.  I know it may look tempting, but I don't recommend it simply because it drains very, very slowly (around an hour).
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 2:26pm
We usually dont deal with the anode until we are winterizing and then it is just checking it and then we have a plastic screw in cap that we leave in for the winter.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Ralphie2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 7:48pm
I was told to remove the anode when the tank is not in use because it greatly extends its useful life. So have been taking it out after each trip. Will thoroughly clean and use the Teflon tape, suspect that will solve the problem. Thanks to all
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Joined: 18 Aug 2015
Location: Chico, CA
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Posts: 215 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 8:07pm
I've never heard that. I have a Montana 5th wheel that is 5 years old and have never removed the anode. I don't think anyone in any of the RV groups we belong to do this.

Who told you to do this? The r-pod folks don't say to do this.

I'm not saying you shouldn't do this just that I have never heard of doing it.
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Ralphie2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 8:22pm
When we purchased our rpod earlier this yearthey told us that when we got our orientation. 
I also called the service department yesterday while trying to resolve this problem and they reiterated that we should remove when not in use. Curious??
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 8:26pm
You should check your anode at least annually.  For those of us who have to winterize, removing it is a necessary step and its condition is rather obvious when you pull it out... so I can see why no one would go out of their way to specifically mention checking it.

As far as extending the life of the anode rod by removing it... of course, water quality plays a significant role in the life of an anode.  All the same, mine is six years old and remains immersed in the tank throughout the camping season; it wasn't in too bad of shape when I checked it last autumn.  A new one costs around $18.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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