Replacing Suburban WH Anode

[Adony]

I am replacing the anode in my 2 1/2 year old TT. Upon removal, the old anode did't look bad but I decided to replace it anyway.. (preventative maintenance from my Navy days).. The threads on the original anode base are much shorter than those on the new "Camco" replacement anode. From the photo, you can see how far the original anode screwed into the hot water heater about 3/8". Although the internal threads in the mounting socket are much deeper, the new anode will only screw in about the same as the old one did. This is with Teflon tape wrapped around the threads. Is this OK or have I overlooked something or doing something wrong?

[Dave_Monica]

Both are 3/4" NPT...one just has more thread. As long as it's in there tight, it doesn't matter.

Dave

[BillyBass]

why didn't you get one with a pet cock so you can drain the tank

[mecsim]

Do they make one that is a combination anode rod and petcock ? I can see one or the other -- but in one item ?

[TURBS]

Camco does I believe.


Turbs

[bob213]

Originally Posted by bill flick

why didn't you get one with a pet cock so you can drain the tank

I believe those are only available for Attwood which is kinda crazy since Attwood doesn't need an anode rod.

[Dave_Monica]

The drain hole within the anode rod would be quite samll, drain very slowly and leave all the crap that accumulates inside the WH, which you only can get out by removing the anode rod. I can't see how removing the anode rod is such a big deal! Get a 1 1/16" socket, short extention and a 18" breaker bar and it's an easy job.

Dave

[B47]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

The drain hole within the anode rod would be quite samll, drain very slowly and leave all the crap that accumulates inside the WH, which you only can get out by removing the anode rod. I can't see how removing the anode rod is such a big deal! Get a 1 1/16" socket, short extention and a 18" breaker bar and it's an easy job.

Dave

I agree that changing or removing/replacing the anode rod is one of the simplest preventative maintenance tasks you can do.

If you use the correct socket size (1&1/16") the first time and wrap teflon tape around the first 2-3 threads and don't over tightened it, you have no problems.

[RodeoGeorge]

Actually the Anode Rod shown in the original post still has a lot of life left in it. There is a steel rod on which the sacrificial material is built, and when the rod is "all used up" all that remains is that center rod. You can see that rod when you look at the end of the rod.

But, it is a good idea to replace on a regular basis, and just as important is flushing out the gunk in the bottom of the water heater with a device similar to this: Amazon.com: Water Heater Flushing Tool: Sports & Outdoors

You can also make a similar device very easily with some 1/4" copper tubing.

RodeoGeorge

[Herk7769]

Your old anode rod should be rinsed in distilled water, dried, and thrown in the tool box. IT still has years of life left in it.

The suburban anode rod with petcock is a total waste of money, IMO.
The anode material is tiny, the unit is expensive, it leaves all the old bits of anode material still in the tank, you may miss when it when tiny anode is used up and the iron bolt will weld itself to the tank. If that happens you will be buying a new water heater.

[B47]

Originally Posted by wa3pnt

Actually the Anode Rod shown in the original post still has a lot of life left in it. There is a steel rod on which the sacrificial material is built, and when the rod is "all used up" all that remains is that center rod. You can see that rod when you look at the end of the rod.

But, it is a good idea to replace on a regular basis, and just as important is flushing out the gunk in the bottom of the water heater with a device similar to this: Amazon.com: Water Heater Flushing Tool: Sports & Outdoors

You can also make a similar device very easily with some 1/4" copper tubing.

RodeoGeorge

Two buyer reviews of this tool and both reviews give it a thumbs up.

[BillyBass]

You guys are right about it leaving stuff in the tank.My old trailer didn't have the anode in it.When I drain it for the winter I run water through it and all kind of extra crap come out of it. So I guess I will stay with the one without .