hot water element corrsion
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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=6414
Printed Date: 18 Jun 2025 at 11:38am
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Topic: hot water element corrsion
Posted By: ron_whitt
Subject: hot water element corrsion
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 12:41pm
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What do you folks do to help prevent your hw element from becoming corroded. After 3yr ours was very corroded and between that and a power surge, I had to have the element, thermosat, and reset buttons replaced. Any advice appreciated. Thinking of surge protector now.... :) ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 1:57pm
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Dumb question, but you know the difference between the heating element and the anode, right? I never check my heating element. I'll just wait for it to fail seeing as I rarely use it and have propane backup. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 4:00pm
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I had the same thought, the heating element won't corrode the but anode will. The anode is in the hole at the lower-center and will need to be checked on every 1-2 years. I'm sure a power surge was the problem for all of the parts listed.
edit: fixed my post ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 4:15pm
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Ditto!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 7:01pm
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It's possible the water you are putting into the Pod is very acidic, and did damage the element. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 9:26pm
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Yupper guys I know the difference between anode and heating element. The tech guy showed me the heating element and it was coated quite thick with calcium. I replaced the anode rod this spring. Like I said think it was combo of calcium build up making element work harder/longer to get to temp, then storm hit while element was on and I think the surge did in the water heating (electric) part of hot water. Heating element wasn't corroded but..... coated..... with calcium. Yes I know we don't check element, just anode. Wondering about how to maybe keep calcium build up down.. Add vinegar to water system after dewinterizing and let sit in hw tank for a bit???? then dump???
------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2015 at 10:39pm
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I said it was a dumb question... I don't know about a corroded/corroding heating element. They aren't expensive, so maybe the answer is to just check it every couple or three years and replace it as you think necessary or when a failure actually occurs. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2015 at 7:20am
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LOL Tars no problem, like someone once said the only dumb question is the one not asked. Going to check out a video on removing the heating element. The only problem I have is moving the propane tubing out of the way to remove the heating element, not real comfortable working with the propane part of this. ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2015 at 7:45am
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ron-whitt, I had warranty work done on my water heater when it was new because of a drip leak at the electric heating element (it was a malformed gasket O-Ring). I watch the service guy remove the parts to get to the electric element, it did not look difficult. Just a few screws, and moving things out of the way. Drain water from the tank, water pump off, Make sure gas is off, burn off the excess pressure with the stove top. No electricity plugged in, and battery disconnected or breaker off should make everything safe. Maybe there is a YouTube video showing the steps. Found One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBwrOO1h_E0
------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |