 |
|
10-22-2013, 11:07 AM
|
#1
|
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SO IL
Posts: 56
|
Creeping Crud in my Water Heater
Hey guys. I winterized the ol Salem today. Pumped the pink stuff through the lines and went to drain the water heater. Didn't take much effort to break it loose. I pulled the cap out and this is what it looked like:
A closer look:
I looked at that and though WTF?!  I just figured it was a major case of the mold/mildew. So, I touched it... it was hard as concrete. I smacked it on a nearby wheelbarrow and a few chips came off. I couldn't believe it! What in the world would set up like concrete in a water heater? Calcium maybe?
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 11:25 AM
|
#2
|
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
That sir is your anode rod.
It is doing what its supposed to by the looks of it.
Flush out water heater and replace the anode rod and you'll be fine.
They need checked every year.
Turbs
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 11:35 AM
|
#3
|
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SO IL
Posts: 56
|
Hmm learn something new every day lol. So whats an anode rod suppost to do? And do they need replaced every year or just when they get nasty?
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 11:40 AM
|
#4
|
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by El Camino Man
Hmm learn something new every day lol. So whats an anode rod suppost to do? And do they need replaced every year or just when they get nasty?
|
I believe that at 50% gone you replace.
Someone with cool charts and pictures I'm sure will post more info 
There cheap and your dealer should have plenty on hand .
They can be ordered online as well.
Quick answer is the anode keeps your tank from deteriorating or corroding.
Turbs
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 11:42 AM
|
#5
|
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 11:48 AM
|
#6
|
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SO IL
Posts: 56
|
ooo fancy. So im looking at this all wrong? That crud is suppost to be on there?
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 11:50 AM
|
#7
|
|
Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
|
Yep. It's not crud- it's actually eating away at the anode rod. Either the inside walls of your water heater get eaten away, or this anode rod.
It's all by magical design. 
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 12:01 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 361
|
I replace mine every year when I winterize. Like said before, cheap and easy to do.
__________________
2012 F350 Lariat CC SRW 6.7L Powerstroke
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 12:20 PM
|
#9
|
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SO IL
Posts: 56
|
So I shortened the life of it by whacking it lol. How long do they "typically" last?
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 12:28 PM
|
#10
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
|
As others stated, the anode rod is meant to deteriorate so your water heater does not. It is known as galvanic exchange. Aluminum and magnesium as those metals readily give up their ions more the metal used in your water heater.
What year is the Salem ?? I usually don't recommend changing out the anode rod every year, but if the Salem is a new camper and that is just 1 year old, then you might want to think about replacing. You might be using really hard water with a high salt content. If your camper is a couple of years old, then it probably last another season.
This was my anode rod last fall on a 2008 camper: Forest River Forums - MtnGuy's Album: Water Heater Anode - Picture
Still plenty left after 4 years, so I don't plan on replacing until it gets down quite a bit more.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 12:42 PM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake County, Illinois
Posts: 301
|
When you do replace it, you local hardware store will be cheaper than an RV store.
Joel
__________________
2011 Silverado 2500HD Duramax, 4x4, crew cab, long bed
Palomino Puma 253-FBS, 27' 5th wheel
1994 19' Class B on Chevy chassis
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 12:50 PM
|
#12
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Great Horned Owl
When you do replace it, you local hardware store will be cheaper than an RV store.
Joel
|
Not necessarily. I think I paid about $18 for an anode for my home water heater from a plumbing suppy store, then had to cut it down some. I understand that RV places charge about $12 for a puppy that is the correct size already. 
Lowe's didn't even carry anode rods. 
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 12:51 PM
|
#13
|
|
Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnGuy
Not necessarily. I think I paid about $18 for an anode for my home water heater from a plumbing suppy store, then had to cut it down some. I understand that RV places charge about $12 for a puppy that is the correct size already.
Lowe's didn't even carry anode rods. |
Bad Lowes, ours does.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 01:27 PM
|
#14
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
|
There will be 'junk' in your water heater. Flush it out as well as you can. Clean the rod off a little but not with a heavy duty brush.
__________________
Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 01:31 PM
|
#15
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,525
|
Lowes.com
Search for anode
2 to choose from aluminum or magnesium. Don't see a zinc one.
Cost $12 or $13.
Sometimes you can get a 2/fer on Ebay and save a buck on shipping.
To the OP, I would replace that one but it's still got a little life left in it.
Here ya go, magnesium $14 including shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnesium-An...9bcea9&vxp=mtr
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 02:44 PM
|
#16
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Komoka Ontario
Posts: 2,680
|
I got mine from Amazon.com we got two years out of the first one, I also back-fill the w/heater with vinegar and flush, gets all the calcium out.
__________________
"Well that didn't go as expected"
2015 Chev 2500HD Highcountry Duramax
Cedar Creek Silverback 33IK
Donald&Casey cairn terrier
Rest in Peace Mary my darling wife.
Scottish by birth Canadian by time.
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 03:03 PM
|
#17
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan
Lowes.com
Search for anode
2 to choose from aluminum or magnesium. Don't see a zinc one.
Cost $12 or $13.
|
Darn, I meant to post magnesium instead of zinc. My post has been corrected. 
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 03:14 PM
|
#18
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 520
|
Another way to prolong it's life is to drain the tank when you're not using the trailer.
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 03:56 PM
|
#19
|
|
Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
|
Discovered another way to get the crud out of the bottom of the water heater. Used my bead blaster nozzle and put the pickup hose in the hole for the anode and it sucked crud and water out. Hose just fits in the hole and can be moved around and doesn't scratch the inside of the tank.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
10-22-2013, 04:08 PM
|
#20
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 710
|
OldCoot has a good idea or you can also just buy a water tank rinser at Camping World for $6. Water Heater Tank Rinser - Camco 11691 - Water Heaters - Camping World
I replace the anode every year. They're not that expensive. Suppose I could change it every couple years, but that's just me.
__________________
Heartland Big Country 3150RL
2013 Ford SD F250 4x4 SC; 6.2
Reese 18K Elite w/slider - Rockford, Michigan
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
