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01-15-2019, 08:15 AM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,166
M.O.C. #6433
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Anode rod, teflon tape, and electrolysis
It is often stated on RV forums that you should not use teflon tape on the anode rod threads as it could interfere with the electrical contact. Being fairly knowledgeable in electric (retired EE) and limited knowledge of electrolysis, something just did not sound right. And my little engineering brain can't live like that. And finding nothing by googling, I went directly to the source. I e-mailed Suburban with my question, "Does the anode rod threads have to make electrical contact with the water heater threads for the anode rod electrolysis to work properly?"
I go a quick reply from an assistant service manager at Suburban as follows;
"The answer to No. The metal threads do not need to make contact with each other. Electrolysis is the chemical reaction that takes place inside the tank and has nothing to do with the threads. I've attached some Suburban water heater videos to this email that I believe you'll find very interesting."
And the video they attached, actually using the tape. So those who use teflon tape can rest easy.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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01-15-2019, 09:41 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,550
M.O.C. #2283
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Thanks. There is way too much option and not enough fact many times.
Lynwood
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01-15-2019, 01:37 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Been using Teflon tape for twenty years, never a problem.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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01-15-2019, 03:13 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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01-15-2019, 03:32 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Cuyahoga Falls
Posts: 699
M.O.C. #18572
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick
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How about another "sub-urban" myth down the drain.
__________________
ATC/NAC Jerry A. Burkholder, USN (RET.)
Rule #1. The Chief is always right.
Rule #2. When in doubt, refer to rule #1.
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01-16-2019, 06:05 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Fulton
Posts: 456
M.O.C. #20688
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Wow we now have facts!
The weight police have Lawyer and Insurance professional statements.
Anode rod pros with video.
Now if we could just get “only the facts” on black tank treatment!
We better be careful we’ll run out of things to discuss!
__________________
Wayne & Malinda
2018 Montana 3731FL
MORryde IS/DiscBrakes
2017 F450 DRW KR 4x4
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01-16-2019, 08:55 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,550
M.O.C. #2283
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If you use Teflon tape the rough threads will most likely cut through the tape and make contact anyway. It’s only a few thousandth thick.
Lynwood
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01-16-2019, 09:04 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,166
M.O.C. #6433
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I have always used tape. And upon removing the rod there has never been more than strings of tape left where the threads cut, shredded, and compressed the tape into voids in the threads to seal them leaving most of the threads exposed for metal to metal contact.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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01-23-2019, 01:28 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Ogden
Posts: 638
M.O.C. #13862
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Well there's one I have never heard. I've been taping for 30 years or so and wouldn't have paid attention to that wrong advice anyway. If one understands the reason we use anode rods, and I mean actually understand it, you would realize it doesn't need grounding.
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01-23-2019, 01:51 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Hanover
Posts: 1,471
M.O.C. #13325
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How in the world would you be able to get a good seal without either Teflon tape or plumber's goo? I've been using Teflon on anode rods for over 30 years. They obviously still work with the tape as every 3 - 5 years I've got to replace the things.
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01-23-2019, 06:39 PM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Fargo
Posts: 214
M.O.C. #19032
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Happy to hear! If I didn't use it, it would leak!
__________________
2004 Montana 3295RK 2019 Ram / Cummins 2500 Summer season weekend warrior
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01-24-2019, 07:42 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Livermore
Posts: 321
M.O.C. #17521
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I never gave it a thought weather it would work or not. LOL I did it because I know if water can get out it will.
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01-25-2019, 06:50 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Eugene
Posts: 1,053
M.O.C. #5091
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Have been using the tape for 18 yrs and plan on using it in the future. Would leak otherwise.
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01-26-2019, 05:27 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
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Teflon tape is a thread lubricator. It will reduce friction between threads allowing for two threaded fittings to screw further into each other.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
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