Finally pulled anode from water heater

[intercept]

Click on the UPDATE RV header and it will take you to the link. Once the video plays and is over click on the Show More below the video screen.

[alparmer]

Good to know, thanks for the clip. I wonder if a little bit of antiseize compound would help removing the anode. I wish I had the aluminum tank instead of steel. Why would they still make them out of steel instead out of aluminum. What are the benefits?

[intercept]

I have always had long life from the atwood heaters with an aluminum tank. I really don't know why Suburban uses a porcelain lined steel tank. I only use a magnesium rod and wrap the threads with a lot of Teflon Tape. I have never had an issue with removing the fitting with tape. Anti-seize should work but I get concerned with the chemicals used in the anti-sieze leaching into the fresh water flow.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by intercept

I have always had long life from the atwood heaters with an aluminum tank. I really don't know why Suburban uses a porcelain lined steel tank. I only use a magnesium rod and wrap the threads with a lot of Teflon Tape. I have never had an issue with removing the fitting with tape. Anti-seize should work but I get concerned with the chemicals used in the anti-sieze leaching into the fresh water flow.

The video shows why you should NOT use the magnesium anode in a Suburban. The magnesium anode is for an aluminum tank.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

Your city water comes from Lake Tahoe is that correct, Not any better anywhere. I use to live there and I bet yours would last 6 years..... WE aren't all that lucky.

i believe most of our water comes from a couple of lakes in Napa County.
i think only the Sierra foothills and maybe the San Joaquin Valley get Tahoe water.

[intercept]

Hi Old Coot, Please watch the video again. The point is they tested both aluminum and magnesium rods and found that the magnesium rods worked because they degraded. The degradation of the rod indicates it is neutralizing the ions before they attack the tank. The aluminum rod did not degrade much and therefore did not protect the tank much.

Only steel tanks need anodes, aluminum tanks (like Atwoods) do not use an anode.