Replacing anode rod in hot water tank

[RKassl]

Replaced the anode rod many times on my 2005 Monty, but now we have a 2015. Had to drain the tank because we won't be using it for a couple of months. I was surprised how much erosion we had in the new anode rod after 1 moths camping in our usual CG that we have been using for several years. My 2005 never showed this much erosion of the rod so fast. Is it possible that I was installing the rod on the 2005 the wrong way? I always used a couple turns of Teflon tape and a little pipe dope when I would insert the rod. Do you folks do anything different? I know the rod protects the tank, but such a difference between my 2005 and the new 2015 Montana.

[racerjoe]

The teflon would not be an issue. The rod reacts to the water. Did the campground change anything in there system? Did they have a treatment problem? Or maybe, Keystone did what they do best,find an outfit that had the cheapest rod to save a penny.I would just see what happens to the replacement rod, or ask the campground,if they will tell you if there were any changes to their system.

[RKassl]

I can rule out the water, the CG has been on city water for the last 8 years or so. Thanks.

[DQDick]

My first thought would be a cheap rod, our original didn't last like the replacements have. If that isn't the answer, don't discount the water. City's change water treatment methods and even sources and drought or flooding can affect the amount of dissolved minerals in that water.

[RKassl]

I bet you are right about the quality of the anode rod. By the way do you use Teflon tape and or pipe dope when you install the new rod?

[dieselguy]

Teflon tape ... works well ... less messy

[racerjoe]

I don't use anything normally. Has never leaked, I pull it after every trip to drain tank,so far,so good

[jlb27537]

There are 2 rods available. Magnesium and Aluminum. The normal replacement rods are aluminum.

My '14 new OEM rod was eat up good in just a year. I believe it was a magnesium rod. The replacement rod (aluminum) looks good after a couple of seasons.

Jim

[rohrmann]

The Suburban owners manual lists the anode rod as part number 232767, which is a magnesium rod, and is what these water heaters come with from Suburban. I think I remember reading somewhere that an aluminum rod can be used if the magnesium rod continues to erode faster than in one year. Ours seems to last the one year, so my annual maintenance to the water heater includes a new anode when I drain and flush the tank. I use Teflon tape on the threads of the anode and have no problem removing the anode annually.

The following is from the owners manual:

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: W ater 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.
Also, refer to section on winterizing.
WARNING! Do not replace the anode rod with any non-Suburban
accessory part, such as an “add-on” electric heating element. Items such as these are not approved to be installed in Suburban products. They could create an unsafe condition and will also void all warranties.

[twindman]

I replaced my home water heater a few months ago. During my research, I think I read that there are actually 3 kinds of rods. The two mentioned and a third kind. I am too lazy to look up what it is though!

[RKassl]

Thanks for all the good information, I probably was doing the right things on my 2005, just maybe the rod that came with it was OEM and not the best quality.

Happy Camping

[Mark N.]

I would be more concerned if there was NO or LITTLE corrosion! This is a sacrificial rod that corrodes so your tank won't. If something is corroding, I want it to be the anode rod, not my water heater. Even if I had to replace it every 2 years!

[Phil P]

Hi

Knowing the quality or lack of quality from Keystone I would have an electrician not an RV service person check your unit to make sure Keystone hasn’t mixed up the neutral and ground somewhere.

Our unit was so improperly wired that we found 90V ac on the dc system when all dc sources were removed from the trailer. This was corrected by separating the ac and dc wired where they had been bundled together. The selling dealer was totally unable to even begin to check for this problem or correct it they didn’t even have a VOM in the shop. I had a home electrician help me with this one.

After correcting this problem my heater anode now last several years at a time but I do find on the annual inspection that some years the anode is greatly deteriorated and other years it has very little deterioration. My electrician says I have been in a park somewhere that has their neutral and ground reversed.

Phil P

[bigred715]

Replaced my anode rod with an aluminum rod, and it shows little wear after 3 1/2 months in Arizona. My tank needs to be flushed out again which I do several times a year now with the tool from Camping World.

[Phil P]

quote:Originally posted by bigred715

Replaced my anode rod with an aluminum rod, and it shows little wear after 3 1/2 months in Arizona. My tank needs to be flushed out again which I do several times a year now with the tool from Camping World.

Hi


Aluminum oxide the results of cording aluminum is one of the most toxic poison around. I would never use it on or in anything that I may ingest.

Zink on the other hand is fairly benign.

Phil P