Is this normal?

[abomb]

I am winterizing my camper. I pull out the heating element, and this is what it looks like. Is this normal? It's a 2015 Palimino Puma 295bhss. I bought it last August. I used it twice last year and all this summer. Hot water heater was used, but not alot. Mainly used on propane. Even when I don't heat the water I still circulate it everyday the camper is in use, so it doesn't sit. I can't see a heating element only lasting one year.

[abomb]

And it was never turned on without water being in it. Thanks

[DobeFanatic]

That looks like an anode rod and they only last about a year or two, cheap/easy to replace.
Amazon. Few weeks ago I checked and mine was eroded down to the center wire. Replaced and bought a spare.

[aceinspp]

This is not the heating element it is the water Anode which takes out water impurities. They need replacing every so often. One should drain the Hot water heater when not in use to prolong the life of the element.
Yours looks like its time to replace. Later RJD

[abomb]

Thanks, that makes sense....heating element would have wires attached. Could it be my water wearing it out faster? Or that's just normal wear. I only fill up at my house using well water.

[Happy Vibe]

You should be able to get another year or two out of that. When the whole rod looks like the part by the plug then you need to replace it. If you google anode rod you will get diagrams that show the ware rate and when you should replace it.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

This is not the heating element it is the water Anode which takes out water impurities. They need replacing every so often. One should drain the Hot water heater when not in use to prolong the life of the element.
Yours looks like its time to replace. Later RJD

The sole purpose of an anode rod is to protect the water heater tank it does nothing to or for the water.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...+anode+rods+do

[DobeFanatic]

Originally Posted by abomb

Thanks, that makes sense....heating element would have wires attached. Could it be my water wearing it out faster? Or that's just normal wear. I only fill up at my house using well water.

It reacts to the mineral content in the water to save the lining of the steel water tank. Well water likely has a high mineral content. Try a few more months, and order replacement in the mean time.

[Happy Vibe]

http://www.lets-getaway.com/images/AnodeRod.jpg. This is the diagram I have seen for ware

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

The sole purpose of an anode rod is to protect the water heater tank it does nothing to or for the water.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...+anode+rods+do

Sorry but that is the purpose just like on boats. It takes out impurities. DA Later RJD

[Oaklevel]

That is your anode it looks good & you should get another year or two out of it. When it looks very thin time to replace. It protects your water tank.

From Google .... What is an anode rod? The short and simple answer is “Sacrificial rod used mainly in water heaters. It helps protect the lining of and generally lengthens the life of a water heater.

Most of us only empty the hot water tank once a year when winterizing. In 30 years of camping have yet to have a water tank go bad.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

The sole purpose of an anode rod is to protect the water heater tank it does nothing to or for the water.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...+anode+rods+do

Da just what I said. I said it prevents the elements in the water from corroding. That's the purpose of it. Later RJD

[thevosmans]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Da just what I said. I said it prevents the elements in the water from corroding. That's the purpose of it. Later RJD

When it's all said and done the short answer I believe is that the rod will rust instead of the hot water tank.


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[Ford Idaho]

The rod corrodes away so the water tank does not.

Anode rode are made of from aluminum, magnesium, or zinc so no rust except from the core and the threaded body.