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10-06-2016, 08:49 PM
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#1
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code.org
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 292
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Winterizing water heater with vinegar
I found this video on YouTube describing how to remove the deposits in a Suburban water heater using vinegar when winterizing an RV.
Has anyone done this and is there any potential for harming the water heater?
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Randy, Mary, and Mojo
Rockwood Signature UltraLite 8329SS
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel / Allison Trans
2015-14 Nights, '16-90 Nights, '17-101 Nights, '18-146 Nights, '19-76 Nights '20-56 Nights '21-42 Nights '22-86 Nights '23-65 Nights
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10-06-2016, 08:59 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,363
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I will be doing this in about a month. Same principal as descaling your coffee maker. Viniger gets rid of the scale and calcium deposits.
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2016 Forester GTS 2801QSF 
2011 Jeep JK Toad
Habitual RV Modifier
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10-06-2016, 09:06 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 2,024
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My only comment is no teflon tape on the anode rod threads. You want conductivity between the threads of the rod boss and the tank itself at all times. I use a little bit of copper never seize which is conductive, on the threads.
Acetic acid will dissolve lime scale and you can buy acetic acid liquid and not use white vinegar.
If you want an inexpensive bore scope to look inside, Harbor Freight has them for 50 bucks everyday. I have one, very useful tool.
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10-06-2016, 09:08 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 2,024
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After the vinegar flush, drain the heater and leave the anode out with the T&P valve open and the heater in bypass...if you store the RV.
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10-06-2016, 09:38 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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You'll still have conductivity with the teflon tape. It gets cut by the treads. It does not provide total isolation.
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1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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10-06-2016, 10:10 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,570
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Agree, just test with meter for conductivity between head of anode and case of heater reading close to 0 is good.
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10-06-2016, 10:29 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,952
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfordroo
You'll still have conductivity with the teflon tape. It gets cut by the treads. It does not provide total isolation.
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True, and Suburban as well as Camco states to use teflon tape for their anode rods. Some anodes come with the threads pre-wrapped.
Here is a link to a previous discussion on this:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ape-98520.html
Whatever you use, you should be sure it is safe for potable water use.
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 2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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10-07-2016, 02:36 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 316
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As soon as my Suburban water heater bites the dust, I am getting an Atwood. Glass lined and does not need an anode.
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Marcel & Jenne 
Kemptville, ON
2014 Rockwood 8282WS
2015 Ford F150 Eco-Boost
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10-07-2016, 02:38 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,952
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BusyRetirees
As soon as my Suburban water heater bites the dust, I am getting an Atwood. Glass lined and does not need an anode.
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I think it's because the Atwoods are aluminum is the reason for no anode.
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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10-07-2016, 07:27 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 11
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I have an instant hot water heater for my home and once a year I flush the system with vinegar.
I use a submersible water pump and attach a 2 hoses to the in and out outlets. I run the pump with vinegar for an
Hour then flush with water.
This process should be able to flush the lime deposits in my wh..
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