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Old 10-19-2017, 01:01 AM   #1
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Water heater drain valve

I have a suburban hot water heater on my 2015 Cherokee 274dbh. Has anyone seen or put a drain valve that somehow attaches to the anode rod? It would most likely have to be an anode rod with a drain valve built into it. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.
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Old 10-19-2017, 01:35 AM   #2
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It's funny (weird), but so far as I'm aware:

Camco makes an anode rod with drain for Atwood HWH's, but Atwood HWH's don't NEED an anode (the tank's aluminum).

But, they DON'T make an anode rod with drain for Suburban HWH's, which DO need anodes!. So what's up with that?
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Old 10-19-2017, 01:52 AM   #3
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Any "Jury Riged/Cobbed Up" A-Rod/Drain Valve I have seen requires a "Reducing Bushing" that further allows More "White Crud Buildup"in bottom of tank! Youroo!!
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Old 10-19-2017, 04:36 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by dvdj2quick View Post
I have a suburban hot water heater on my 2015 Cherokee 274dbh. Has anyone seen or put a drain valve that somehow attaches to the anode rod? It would most likely have to be an anode rod with a drain valve built into it. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.


NORTHWEST LEISURE ANODE KIT UNIVERSAL TSA-200
Replaced mine recently but watched you tube vids on this subject. This one I have posted, with the drain, did not perform as well, as the stock anodes, over time. Here is a you tube link showing the two different anodes. BTW I went with the stock anode ( no drain)
Here is the link
https://youtu.be/QjEPy21nIrQ
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Old 10-19-2017, 10:11 AM   #5
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NORTHWEST LEISURE ANODE KIT UNIVERSAL TSA-200
Replaced mine recently but watched you tube vids on this subject. This one I have posted, with the drain, did not perform as well, as the stock anodes, over time. Here is a you tube link showing the two different anodes. BTW I went with the stock anode ( no drain)
Here is the link
https://youtu.be/QjEPy21nIrQ
That thing looks like it would take quite a while to drain through that little slot.

I'd say that "most" of us don't drain the water heater except at the end of the season, when you should be removing the anode anyway for inspection; so the drain doesn't seem like it's worth having.

If you're one of those folks who drain after every trip, then I guess it might be helpful. But as mentioned above, if using the drain, you aren't going to be flushing much, if any, of the crud out with the drain valve.
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Old 10-19-2017, 10:39 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
That thing looks like it would take quite a while to drain through that little slot.

I'd say that "most" of us don't drain the water heater except at the end of the season, when you should be removing the anode anyway for inspection; so the drain doesn't seem like it's worth having.

If you're one of those folks who drain after every trip, then I guess it might be helpful. But as mentioned above, if using the drain, you aren't going to be flushing much, if any, of the crud out with the drain valve.
How long would you leave the water in the tank? If I know I am not camping for two weeks or more I will drain the tank.
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Old 10-19-2017, 10:45 AM   #7
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That thing looks like it would take quite a while to drain through that little slot.

I'd say that "most" of us don't drain the water heater except at the end of the season, when you should be removing the anode anyway for inspection; so the drain doesn't seem like it's worth having.

If you're one of those folks who drain after every trip, then I guess it might be helpful. But as mentioned above, if using the drain, you aren't going to be flushing much, if any, of the crud out with the drain valve.


Yea agreed. I don't drain often either and judging from the video that short anode doesn't seem to be reacting enough anyway.
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Old 10-19-2017, 10:50 AM   #8
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How long would you leave the water in the tank? If I know I am not camping for two weeks or more I will drain the tank.
I fill it first trip in the spring and drain it after last trip in the fall. Could be 2-6 weeks between trips over the summer, depending on what's going on in "my other life."

Water sits in my home water heater for 1-2 weeks while I'm gone. I don't drain that one, either. And I never flush it (like most of us, I'd bet!), although I probably should; might help it last more than 8-10 years.
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Old 10-19-2017, 10:54 AM   #9
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Key the Twilight Zone music.

You responded to my post before I posted it. How'd that happen?
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Old 10-19-2017, 10:55 AM   #10
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Water heater drain valve

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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
I fill it first trip in the spring and drain it after last trip in the fall. Could be 2-6 weeks between trips over the summer, depending on what's going on in "my other life."



Water sits in my home water heater for 1-2 weeks while I'm gone. I don't drain that one, either. And I never flush it (like most of us, I'd bet!), although I probably should; might help it last more than 8-10 years.


I made the mistake of not reading my manuals thoroughly and left my anode go 3 yrs. It was 95% gone when I finally changed it and all kinds of white crap came out of the tank. So your right about being able to flush scale out of the tank through a bigger hole. Or whoever posted that.
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Old 10-19-2017, 10:58 AM   #11
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Key the Twilight Zone music.

You responded to my post before I posted it. How'd that happen?


Very strange[emoji89]
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Old 10-19-2017, 11:01 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Electra glide View Post
How long would you leave the water in the tank? If I know I am not camping for two weeks or more I will drain the tank.


The only thing I would worry about emptying is the steel tank it may oxidize faster when exposed to air but Lord knows I've been wrong before.
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Old 10-19-2017, 11:04 AM   #13
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I made the mistake of not reading my manuals thoroughly and left my anode go 3 yrs. It was 95% gone when I finally changed it and all kinds of white crap came out of the tank. So your right about being able to flush scale out of the tank through a bigger hole. Or whoever posted that.
That's why they call us the "White Crud Kids"! Youroo!!
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Old 10-19-2017, 01:07 PM   #14
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Old 10-19-2017, 01:36 PM   #15
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EDIT: Removed bad link at request of poster

Billy, link is broken
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Old 10-19-2017, 02:14 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post

Water sits in my home water heater for 1-2 weeks while I'm gone. I don't drain that one, either. And I never flush it (like most of us, I'd bet!), although I probably should; might help it last more than 8-10 years.
Don't flush your home water heater. It will make you want to shut it down and replace it immediately. Ignorance can be bliss.
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Old 10-19-2017, 02:23 PM   #17
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Lots of us here understand anode rods on our RV water heaters. Many of us may not realize or think about our home water heaters having one. This is the nasty secret that plumbers don't want the homeowner to know. Regularly change your anode rod and you won't have to spend $800 - $1500 every 8-10 years which, of course, plumbers prefer that you do. I know it is kind of off topic but it is a dirty little secret everyone should know.

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Old 10-19-2017, 04:33 PM   #18
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^^Joe-- awesome stuff -- I love learning something new and this is a good one^^
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Old 10-19-2017, 04:41 PM   #19
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Thanks everyone for your input! I do only drain it before winterizing but thought it would help for ease of draining before pulling plug. But what you guys said makes sense. It doesn't really help much. I'll continue doing it the way I've been doing it. Thanks
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Old 10-19-2017, 04:43 PM   #20
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If you think there is a Lot of "White Crud" in your little 6 gal RV W/H wait till you purge your 80 Gal W/H at your home! By the way the Drain Valve with the Screwdriver slot is a complete JOKE it flows about Nothing! I replaced ours with a 3/4 ball valve and a Quick disconnect,now I can just connect the hose and Drain all the "White Crud" without ALL the Plugups with the O/E Valve with its Very Small Bore! Drain every 6 months! Check and replace A-Rod as needed,just like our Little RV W/H! Youroo!!
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