|
04-14-2006, 07:32 PM
|
#1
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 328
M.O.C. #3149
|
Water heater maint.
How often should I remove the zinc and drain the water heater?
|
|
|
04-15-2006, 12:16 AM
|
#2
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
|
I do it at least twice a year. We have a calendar for preventative maintenance. When stuff comes up I just do it.
|
|
|
04-15-2006, 02:33 AM
|
#3
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Northeast
Posts: 414
M.O.C. #5072
|
Stiles, the idea of a maintenance calendar sounds like a really good one. Could you post something that would show what items yours covers, frequency, etc?
Bob
|
|
|
04-15-2006, 04:49 AM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: North Andover
Posts: 669
M.O.C. #1900
|
Check the anoid rod. If its badly pitted or corroded then replace it as needed.
|
|
|
04-15-2006, 09:10 AM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Bum F Egypt
Posts: 979
M.O.C. #2733
|
My trailer is on a year old so the first time I pulled the plug was when I winterized. After 7 months of use there was a lot of lime build up. I use a short piece of hose I insert into the water heater to flush it out. My rod should make it another year. It would help to drain the tank after each outing.
|
|
|
04-15-2006, 10:47 AM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Mount Shasta
Posts: 1,488
M.O.C. #1685
|
The mineral content of the water will determine how often you need to replace the anode. I drain my water heater after each trip and haven't had to replace it in over seven years.
|
|
|
04-15-2006, 12:44 PM
|
#7
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Spokane Valley
Posts: 222
M.O.C. #5255
|
I drain and check mine about twice a year as well. I also flush out the lime build up that settles on the bottom of the heater floor. Some of this will flush out on its own, but a good deal remains. I use a simple tool, available at most RV parts stores for about $10, that attaches to the end of the hose. It has a valve built on it and a long narrow plastic tip that provides a strong steady stream when the valve is opened. It does a fantastic job cleaning the lime out. Wear a rain suit when you do this; chances are you will get wet.
|
|
|
04-16-2006, 03:14 AM
|
#8
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 328
M.O.C. #3149
|
Thanks all for great, prompt replies. We full time, so I will do it today. We have been racing aroundthe USA for 11 Months now. Have started slowing down.
|
|
|
04-20-2006, 02:18 PM
|
#9
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
|
I check it a couple of times per year but have never seen more than a little bit of wear. I used to replace it anyhow until our dealer showed me one where you could see the little inner core. He said until you see that core just clean it best I can with a wire brush and put it back in. Our tank has water in it all the time since ours is a continuous outing but draining after each outing would, I would think, prolong the life of the rod.
Some folks had a lot of wear on the anode rod while we all wintered in the Rio Grande Valley. I checked ours before we left and had no wear and just a little bit of crud on the rod. Go figure.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|