Quick emptying of fresh water tank
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11306
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 2:06pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Quick emptying of fresh water tank
Posted By: TheBum
Subject: Quick emptying of fresh water tank
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2018 at 11:02am
|
I discovered this trick by accident yesterday when I was draining the fresh water tank in preparation for sanitizing the water system, as well as checking the anode rod.
If you remove the anode rod and turn on the water pump, the fresh water tank will drain a lot faster through the water heater than it will through the drain on the tank itself. Not all the water will be pumped out, so you still need to open the regular drain to get that last bit out. The accidental part was the water pump being left on while traveling home. I'm not sure how it got turned on because we were on city water where we were camped. Anyway, my first clue that the pump was on was getting sprayed when I removed the anode rod. Then, it seemed like a lot more than 6 gallons was draining through the hole. When I refilled the tank with Clorox water, the flow meter on my hose confirmed that I put close to 30 gallons in, so it must have been drained pretty well. I was told on FB when I posted this that the newer pumps are designed to be safely run dry, which was definitely a concern I had. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2018 at 7:29pm
|
Glad you didn't get hurt. There is quite a bit of pressure on the line and by removing the anode while pressurized, it should have come out like a bullet, not too safe. Am not sure if my pump would qualify as it is on a 2011 model.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2018 at 7:08am
|
I haven't seen a Sure Flo pump yet or in years that didn't run dry, meaning it doesn't hurt it. I put a valve versus a cap on my freshwater tank, not sure I'd want to pump 30 gals thru the water heater outlet. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2018 at 9:33am
OTOH, it is one way of flushing out the water heater. 
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2018 at 10:46am
What's the diameter on the orifice for your drain? Is it considerably larger than the one on the factory drain?
Good point. It would get all that grit out. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2018 at 10:49am
As I said, it wasn't on purpose. Once it started spraying, I made sure the pressure dropped before disengaging the rest of the threads. I'll have to replace the anode rod after this camping season, maybe sooner; about half the center rod is bare and the rest of the magnesium is heavily pitted. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2018 at 11:39am
|
My drain valve is 1/2" pipe thread. So NO, it is the same size as the drain. I also disagree that draining thru the water here, necessarily flushes it. I flush with high pressure wand to clean my water heater, your pump probably supplies 3 GPM out the anode hole, it will empty fast, but a hole that big will not allow a lot of pressure. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |