How often should one empty hot water tank
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6593
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Topic: How often should one empty hot water tank
Posted By: David D
Subject: How often should one empty hot water tank
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 12:50pm
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Wondering how often we should be empty our hot water tanks; via pulling out the anode. Should it be done after every outing? once a year? once a quarter? just before winterizing? Thanks! ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Replies:
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 1:38pm
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once a year at winterizing for me ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 1:57pm
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Same as Travis.
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Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 2:46pm
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For fresh water in general, if it sits several months in-between use, and if have the resources, you may want to drain the HW tank, the FW tank and blow out the lines.
Otherwise, I add one teaspoon of bleach for each 5 gl of water that remains in the tank/lines to prevent mold/algae growth in hot weather. This is for storage/sanitation only; You should flush it with clean water before next use. With that said, we always drink bottled water and only use water from our fresh water tank for washing, showering, etc. (just a personal preference). |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 3:24pm
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I empty it as part of winterizing too ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: David D
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 3:41pm
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Thanks for all your responses! I really appreciate it. I'll have to look into "blow[ing] out the lines." I certainly don't want mold or other unpleasantries in the lines. Thanks again for all your input, everyone! ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2015 at 11:49am
| If you blow out the lines with air, one can get a plastic fitting to go on the water fill . Remember to use only about 20 lbs of pressure, but do not take the anode out if the system is pressurized. I am glad I was standing to the side when I accidentally did that....... |
Posted By: David D
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2015 at 12:48pm
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Thanks, John! I appreciate the advice! Have a good weekend... David ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: mcclurey
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2015 at 9:37pm
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I empty after every outing lowering my tow weight by 6 gallons of water. Also keeps from water heater clean from most mineral deposit build up. Water sources can be very different. ------------- Missouri Matt |
Posted By: David D
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 12:23am
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Matt, Thanks for the info. On the 179, I noticed two sets of low point drain caps. One set is near the hot water heater. And, one set is near the frig. I've been draining those two sets after each use of the trailer. But, I have yet to pull the anode. Next time, I'll go through my normal process... then I'll pull the anode to see if any additional water comes out. And, if so, how much. I may have to incorporate that into my regular post outing procedures. Another question on that, should we use that white thread tape whenever pulling the anode rod out? That stuff can be such a pain to refresh.... Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: David D
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 12:43am
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Matt, One more follow-up... I see you are from Missouri. I'm from CA. I drove across country this past Feb to Beacon RV Sales to purchase my 179. Great service over there... and a pretty state.... but going in Feb wasn't a bright idea... in 9 degree weather the 7-pin connector and plastic are not maleable; had a tough time getting a good connection. Take care, Matt. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: mcclurey
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 7:46am
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Those low point drains are for the plumbing and not directly draining from the hot water heater. Make sure your water heater is switched off. I take a 1-1\16" (I believe that's the size) socket and unscrew the anode. Be careful in that it may have some pressure behind it. As the water is draining lift up on the water relief valve to maximize drainage. I carry a roll of the white sealer tape with me but I find that I don't have to replace very often. What you want to be careful on is screwing the anode back in. Make sure you start correctly so you don't strip the threading. It takes a little practice a few times to get it back in because you have a tight space to get your fingers around to start threading it and the weight of the rod once you slide it in wants to pull it down. Just make sure to hold it up level once you slide it back in and then find your starting thread point. It's really a very simple procedure. One last note don't overtighten the anode. If you have tape on then you just need a snug fit that doesn't allow water to leak. ------------- Missouri Matt |
Posted By: mcclurey
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 7:55am
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Thanks for sharing your experience. I love MO and the Conservation Depts commitment to many outstanding State Parks and resources. I'm an avid trout fisherman and MO has some of the best trout fishing Parks and rivers in the US. A lot of people don't realize this. So I find myself in my spare time camping in the MO state trout parks often. I've been to CA but always by flight. Many beautiful areas in your state. When I retire I plan on a major Western road trip and camping experience. ------------- Missouri Matt |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 3:31pm
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Actually you are draining the water heater when the low point drains are open. Just open the hot and cold water faucets at the sink to allow it to vent. But, it will take a long time to finish so removing the anode rode is faster, if time matters. ------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 3:35pm
Only about 50 pounds of weight, which will not affect your mpg if you are trying to improve it that way. The wind resistance is most of the problem at highway speeds. The mpg difference between my 3000 pound pod and 7000 pound Salem (both fully loaded): 17.5 not towing, 9.5 with the pod, 7.5 with the Salem. ------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 3:37pm
Yes you should use teflon tape on the threads. ------------- 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: 01 Aug 2015 at 3:48pm
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Yeah should definitely use it. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mcclurey
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 7:46pm
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Interesting. That's good to know. I've opened up low point drains and let them completely drain but water still came out after removing anode. Not sure if I opened faucets after opening low point drains though. ------------- Missouri Matt |
Posted By: David D
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2015 at 1:15pm
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Fantastic advice from everyone; thanks! After my next trip next weekend, I'll plan a test... 1. Open all low point drains and faucets in trailer 2. Allow to drain completely 3. Then, unscrew anode noting how much, if any, water drains out. I'll try to note amount of water. I'll report results herein... Thanks everyone for the advice. :-) Doug, thanks for the mpg info... I found when driving across country with my 179 w/o water using a 2007 Ford F-150, I was getting ~10mpg. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: David D
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 12:25am
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All, As per prior post, on my 2015 RP-179, I drained both sets of low point drains with faucets open. After waiting till emtpy, I then unscrewed the anode to see if any water came out. Result? Only a few drips came out. See dry horizontal surface of water heater compartment below; no water. So, the low drain point caps does drain the hot water tank. Thanks all for your input; glad this one is solved. Also, check out my anode. Should I replace it? This is after 3 uses....   ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 10:53am
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That rod is fine and should last a year or three. I finally replaced mine after 4 years and didn't really need to, it looked about like yours. ------------- 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: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 2:22pm
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Mine was roughly the same and I changed it last fall at winterization time on our 11. Mostly because the previous owner had left me one so I used it. If I would have had to go buy it I probably would have gone another year or two. ------------- Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod (and Brewer too) 2011 RP 177 |
Posted By: David D
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 9:07pm
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Thanks for the input! I appreciate it very much! Doug, your site is a great resource... thanks. ------------- 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 10:06pm
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Not my site - everyone makes it work. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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