Hot water tank anode

[richfaa]

After attending the seminar at the rally I thought I had better check the anode..Ye gods..This 3400 is only 4 months old and has been out three times.We do use the electric most of the time but the anode was severely pitted and worn down. Maybe it is just a low cost OEM anode but I would suggest checking the anode or replacing it, as we have done, with a better grade product..

[Mac]

Rich,

Seems kind of strange to me. We've had ours out two weeks this year and about 12 other times and it's just slightly pitted. I always have an extra one around but I wouldn't think yours should be wearing that quickly. Maybe the water you've run into is just worse on the anode than what I've encounted.

mac

[ols1932]

Rich,
I don't believe it's the style or "cheapness" of the anode. The pitting is caused by the elements in the water. That's the primary reason we have the anode because it protects the heater tank itself. Just carry an extra anode and when you feel like there isn't enough left on the old one, replace it. Just for information, those anodes will erode away all the way down to a rod about 1/8" in diameter before they are completely gone.

Orv

[richfaa]

Well then maybe what I am seeing is normal.The anode was covered with calcium deposits. I will monitor the anode closely.We have spares..

[indy roadrunner]

Rich, I looked at the pictures the guy from Surburban Waters heaters had at the Rally and the one noted as needing replaced was nearly gone. I think the material stated that it was good up till 75% was depleted. That would be just a little more than pitting. Remember he said you could remove and wipe it down and re-insert.

[Fordzilla]

I normally replace mine when I start to see the steel rod part. I think the best thing though is to remove and check it 2-3 times a year. i always flush any sediment out of the bottom of the heater when it is out as well. I am going to look harder for one of those neat flush things they had there at the rally as well. Looks like it would work better and use less water than the way I flush mine.

[richfaa]

I had not emptied my hot water tank as I usually do after each trip so the tank had been full for 4 months, I was surprised at how pitted it was . I did what the person at the seminar said,,Wiped it clean, knocked off the calcium deposits. Lesson learned..check the anode at regular intervals.

[Mac]

Rich,

That might be part of it, I drain my hot water tank after each trip and each weekend. After reading this forum I thought I was in the minority but maybe it's the best thing afterall.

mac

[Mac]

I am going to look harder for one of those neat flush things they had there at the rally as well. Looks like it would work better and use less water than the way I flush mine.
[/quote]


Fordzilla, what "flush thing" are you talking about? If you find one or find a link please post it for the rest of us.

Thanks,

mac

[VanMan]

Does the portable water softener some folks use keep the anode rod from dissolving so fast? That might make them worth the purchase price in itself.

[Lstierw]

We have been full timing about 16 months now. I check mine at least every 6 months. I have changed mine once and also clean out the water heater tank each time. It does depend on the water in the area. You can actually go 9 months or 3 months. Just make sure that you check it regularly.........

[Fordzilla]

It was a long tube that you could stick inside the water heater when the anode rod is out and it would push water into the back of the heater and allow water to gush out around the rinse tube.

[Mac]

Fordzilla,

I've not seen anything like that before, if you locate it make sure you share with the rest of us.

mac

[c5racer]

Got mine at Camping World.

[Ozzie]

Me too...it's a yellow wand about like a straw in diameter and about 14" or so in length with a little curve at the end.
Haven't used it yet, but it looks like it will allow plenty of room for the water to exit the same hole.

[HamRad]

I did not check mine for the first year or so and when I did finally check it out it was down to just a very thin piece of metal looking stuff. The end of it sort of crumbled in my hand as I pulled it out.

I replaced it and fully expected the replacement to fall apart within a few months. Interestingly it has hardly disintegrated any at all. I continue to check it about every four months. I do NOT drain my tanks. I leave water in them all the time. I also usually run the electric HWH all the time.

I purchased the little "clean out" tool described above. Got mine at CW. Not sure you really need it but it does help a little. And the price is very reasonable.

HamRad

[Fordzilla]

Here is the description of what I was talking about. I must not have looked hard enough while at CW in Elkhart. Sorry there are not any picks I can find of it to show you.

Tank-Saver-Flushing-Tool from Camping World

[Amps]

Yesterday I winterized my unit and when I took the anode tube out there was a half inch section near the screw part that had worn to about 1/3 of the rod, the remainder of the rod is like new. That is after 3 years. Guess the water quality has a lot to do with how fast it will wear out.

[richfaa]

Mine was wearing the same as Amps and Ron..The Elkhart CW did not have that hot water tank thingy,,they were sold out.

[rickety]

Water quality has ecverything to do with how a anode rod dissolves. The anode rod attracts and changes the minerals in the water, thereby prtecting the element. It is very much like the "zincs" one finds on outboards and outdrives on boats. It protects the metal. I changed mine out about 2 months ago, after 3 years, it was only about 1/4 used, the element looked very good, but I changed it also because I had the tank empty and it was easy to do, and not expensive at all.