Water Heater Anode
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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=13532
Printed Date: 23 Jun 2025 at 2:26am
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Topic: Water Heater Anode
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Subject: Water Heater Anode
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 11:11am
| I am dewinterizing the Pod for the upcoming season and I'm wondering at what point do I need to replace the anode for the water heater. The "neck" where the anode connects to the threaded plug is getting fair thin. It seems to still have a fair amount of substance so will likely be ok for this summer but I want to make sure. Thanks in advance for the great information I know I will get in reply! |
Replies:
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 12:47pm
|
This is a case of preference. Some run it till it's all gone. Depending on how the water is it could last 1 or 2 seasons. I tend to replace it each season now, it's just one less thing to think about. And I get the max protection for the tank. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 12:52pm
|
The general rule from Suburban is to replace when it is 3/4 gone (from the video published on YouTube about this subject). You might have a hard time visibly telling when that is. You could weigh a new one and use that to help judge when the rod needs replacing. When the old one weighs only a quarter of what a new one weighs, then it would be time to replace.
------------- 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: jato
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 1:18pm
|
I have been told that the water hardness and the salt content will oft times determine longevity of the anode rod. Also certain municipalities with what they add to the water may shorten its lifespan. Fortunately, even though we have hard water here in northern Michigan our anode still looks nearly new on our 177, going on year 10.
------------- 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: offgrid
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 3:01pm
|
You can look at it this way, the anode material is more active chemically than the steel in your tank, so it will get consumed first. As long as there is any material on the anode it’s doing it’s job. When it’s gone its not. So it’s not like you have to replace at a certain percentage, but you don’t want to run out either. It’s kinda like toilet paper during the Covid pandemic. 😜
------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 3:08pm
|
It doesn't hurt to get one and keep it on hand for when you do need to replace it.
------------- 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: offgrid
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 4:23pm
Maybe keep 2 or 3 on hand. See, just like hoarding TP during Covid.  ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 May 2020 at 7:02pm
|
No need to go to excess. I did purchase a 2-pack the last time I bought them. I still have one unused anode rod left.
------------- 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: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 7:09am
|
Hmmmm, many could've used Stephens leftover anode a few weeks ago when they couldn't get toilet paper ( don't hoard the anodes)
------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 8:42am
??? I don't think that an anode rod would make good toilet paper. 
------------- 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: offgrid
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 9:05am
|
In case anyone was wondering, comparing anodes to TP was a joke, hence the laugh emoticon.... ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: IdahoBoy
Date Posted: 07 May 2020 at 9:54am
| I guess my current anode rod is still good for another season or two but I do think I'll get a backup just in case. Thanks for the good information. And thanks for saving me from trying anode rod tp. Always good advice here! |