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Old 05-26-2014, 10:07 AM   #1
RKassl
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Water Heater Anode Question

When you replace the anode rod in the hot water heater, what do most folks do? What I mean to prevent leaks from around the rod do you use Teflon pipe tape or any sort of pipe dope? Just wondering, because I used some of the tape this year and just noticed a small drip coming from around the new rod? Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.
 
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Old 05-26-2014, 10:38 AM   #2
ole dude
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Teflon tape for hot pipes.
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Old 05-26-2014, 11:06 AM   #3
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You need a minimum of 3 full wraps, but in some cases, several more wraps is needed. You also need to make sure you tighten enough. Prior to applying the tape, it is a good idea to use a wire brush on the threads, and if you have a small brush, cleaning the female threads of the water heater will help also. If this doesn't do the trick, you might need to get a tap to repair the threads in the water heater.
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Old 05-26-2014, 12:17 PM   #4
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How often should you change the rod for weekenders?
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Old 05-26-2014, 01:09 PM   #5
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same question we might be getting a new monty and noticed it had a atwood instead of suburban water heater this will be the first for us with a anode rod. when looking at the new monty the anode rod was out of the waterheater how do you know when its time to replace.
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Old 05-26-2014, 01:49 PM   #6
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I might be miss reading your post, but if you have an Atwood, I don't think they have an anode rod. They tanks are coated with or built with the tank lined with a material that does the same thing as an anode rod.
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Old 05-26-2014, 02:06 PM   #7
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Hi

There are a lot of things that cause the anode rod to deteriorate. Everything from bad water to bad power in the park.

I didn’t check ours until the end of the first year; it was still 90% complete so I just put it back in. We then spent 6 months traveling the western half of the states and when I checked it at the end of that trip it was almost completely eaten away.

I put a new one in at that time 2010; I checked it every 6 months for 2 years and every year since and it is still 90% there.

I now check it every 6 months if we are traveling out of the area like we did in 2010 but for local stuff I have found once a year is OK. This applies to our use every month to meet with a group of friends at different RV parks within 200 miles of us.

Last summer we made 3 trips to Lincoln Nebraska in a 2 month period, I checked it at the end of that romp and it was still 90%.

As long as most of the Zinc is still there I would put it back in. If you travel the same parks in the same area I would check it every 6 months until you get a feel as to how fast it dissolves and adjust your inspection to fit.

I just use a little water soluble lubricant of some kind like dish soap on the threads and haven’t had a leak yet.

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Old 05-26-2014, 03:28 PM   #8
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by okierver

same question we might be getting a new monty and noticed it had a atwood instead of suburban water heater this will be the first for us with a anode rod. when looking at the new monty the anode rod was out of the waterheater how do you know when its time to replace.
When did Montana start using Atwood water heaters and when did Atwood start using anode rods?
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Old 05-26-2014, 04:19 PM   #9
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I would check the rod at least twice a year and flush the water heater at the same time. Since we have a softener and filters even though we full time ours would last a couple of years, but I replace it annually anyway. Before the softener and the filters it could easily be eaten mostly away in six months.
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Old 05-26-2014, 07:14 PM   #10
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Atwood water heaters have an aluminum tank and DO NOT USE AN ANODE. Suburban heaters have a glass lined steel tank and require the anode. Suburban recommends checking the anode once a year, and if it still has most of the magnesium left, put it back in. Otherwise, if most is gone replace it. If you only use your rig occasionally, unless you drain the water heater every time, which you need to remove the anode to drain it, well, you see where I'm going here, the tank has water in it most of the time, you still need to check the anode once a year. Anodes are fairly inexpensive, compared to replacing the water heater, so it is one of the maintenance expenses that need to be done.
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Old 05-26-2014, 11:57 PM   #11
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Hummmm that’s interesting I have always been told the anodes were Zinc.

I have an old one around here somewhere I will put a torch to it and see what happens.

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Old 05-27-2014, 01:52 AM   #12
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Re the Teflon tape, I was advised by a dealer to not overwrap, as it was important for the threads to cut through the tape to make the metal to metal contact with the heater itself.
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Old 05-27-2014, 01:54 AM   #13
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We got a pointed hose tip from a camping supply store that is designed to flush the water heater tank. We pull and inspect the anode every six months and flush the tank. We have a small wire brush that resembles a tooth brush that allows us to clean both the male and female threads. The whole process takes about 15 minutes. Don't think you can assign a time frame for replacing the anode. Personal habits such as how often you use your rig and how much hot water you run through the system as well as the quality of the water all affect anode usage.
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Old 05-27-2014, 02:40 AM   #14
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leemedic, In a weekender case,it should last a couple years. What I do,is every time I come home with it, I pull it to drain the tank to get rid of whatever water they are giving us and hook up our water and flush the tank and lines. If we are not going out again for a while I drain the tank until we are ready to go. I have not replaced ours in about 3 years now. I keep a socket and ratchet right inside the front compartment so it is handy and I do not use any tape. If it is snug it has never leaked.
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Old 05-27-2014, 08:08 AM   #15
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Here is a link to Amazon showing the rod for the Suburban heaters. The price is quite good also. http://www.amazon.com/Suburban-23276.../dp/B003VAYRNM
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Old 05-27-2014, 08:14 AM   #16
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This is copied from the Suburban water heater manual--

ANODE PROTECTION
The tank in this water heater is protected by a magnesium or aluminum anode to prolong the life of the tank by absorbing the corrosive action of hot water. Under normal use, the anode rod will deteriorate and because of this, we recommend it be replaced yearly. NOTE: Water with high levels of iron and/or sulfate will increase the rate of deterioration; therefore, more frequent replacement may be required. If anode rod is mostly eaten away, replace it with a new one. (See
Figure 11) To prevent a water leak when replacing the anode rod, a pipe thread sealant approved for potable water (such as Teflon Tape) must be applied to the threads of the anode rod. Proper application of a thread sealant will not interfere with the anode’s tank protection.
Operating the water heater without proper anode protection will decrease tank life and will void your warranty on the tank. NOTE: Tank is drained by removing anode rod (See “Drain and Storage” instructions). To extend anode life, drain water from tank whenever RV is not being used. Avoid any extended time of non use with water in tank.

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Old 05-27-2014, 02:03 PM   #17
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Well it didn’t burn like Magnesium and didn’t welt like aluminum so I would say it’s Zinc.

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Old 05-28-2014, 02:50 AM   #18
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The better ones I think are magnesium but will not last as long as aluminum.
Could be wrong but think zinc is preferred as the sacrificial element on aluminum outboard motors used in salt water.
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Old 05-28-2014, 02:54 AM   #19
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Forgot to mention. Teflon tape works best if wound in a clockwise direction looking at threaded end. If wound the other way the tape tends to get unwound as you tighten the rod.
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Old 05-28-2014, 09:47 AM   #20
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The anode rods are either Zinc or Aluminum depending on the brand you buy. Opinion's differ on how long each will last. Mostly depends on how hard the water is in the area you are located.

I have been told by several knowledgeable Technicians that if you can see the steel rod in the middle of the anode rod anywhere along it's length than replace the rod. They are not that expensive and good insurance.
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