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09-14-2011, 08:23 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5
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Suburban drain plugs
Looking for a drain plug for a suburban 6 gl water heater. All I can find online is anode rods with the plug. For the Atwood heaters they have drain plugs that you can just unscrew with your fingers. Mine you have to have an 1-1/4" socket to get it out to drain it, there has to be an easier way. Any help? Thanks!
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09-14-2011, 08:26 PM
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#2
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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if you dont want to use your anode rod any more then go to the hardware store and get a reducing pipe bushing and then buy a drain cock. install drain cock in aforementioned plug and install into your tank and your done !
the plug hole is pipe thread. 3/4 inch i believe
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09-14-2011, 08:33 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5
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But if I want to keep it is there an option or does no one make the same thing for suburban?
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09-14-2011, 08:39 PM
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#4
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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that I cannot answer since I do not know what an attwood hw heater uses for a drain size.
is it not the same I wonder ?
someone will know .
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09-14-2011, 08:49 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5
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Camping world shows one but it says it replaces the plastic drain plug. I think atwoods have plastic drain plugs but suburban doesn't. I called and they said it would fit but when I ask her what the anode rod attached to she said that was a good question and I would have to call back tomorrow for tach support.
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09-14-2011, 11:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Charles, La.
Posts: 1,536
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they make an anode rod w/drain for atwood but i didn't see one for the suburban. the atwood anode hole is smaller. if suburban is 3/4, i'd say the atwood is 1/2 inch.
u could use a bushing and adapt the atwood anode w/drain to the suburban. before i did that, i would make sure it is compatible. u would have to know what metal each uses. i wouldn't run an electric w/h w/o one. it protects the water heater from electrolysis. the anode is sacrificial.
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09-15-2011, 05:49 AM
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#7
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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09-15-2011, 06:23 AM
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#8
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CLASS "A" Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Upperco, Maryland
Posts: 3,136
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3/4" x 1/2" Threaded Brass Reducing Bushing
Here's a sample of the bushing needed should you decide to use the Atwood Anode Rod.
__________________
2007 Georgetown 370TS
aka - RAYNMKR
Driver: Charlie
Navigator: Sheri
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09-15-2011, 06:49 AM
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#9
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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The downside of the drain is the temptation to never remove the anode rod which DOES deteriorate when doing its job.
There are bits of anode; calcium deposits and rust inside the heater that accumulates and circulates in your water system. If you don't pull your anode and just drain the water; that crud stays behind; eventually clogging a faucet.
I will stay with the tried and true method and pull the anode and inspect it; flush out most of the bits; and reinstall it with Teflon.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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09-15-2011, 07:25 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Don't get rid of your anode rod !! I serves as an important function. See post # 7.
How about this: Water Heater Universal Anode Kit fits Suburban, Atwood & Has Drain Kit
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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09-15-2011, 07:33 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Charles, La.
Posts: 1,536
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i found out the hard way that there was a difference. bought the one with the drain only to get home and find out it was too small. my rule is to take the old part with me. i broke the rule with predictable results.
wish there was a way to have the water not drain next to heater. i put a piece of cardboard around the hole when i pull it out (like i do the filter on my washer).
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09-15-2011, 08:04 AM
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#12
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Camco Water Heater Drain Valve Wrench 11653 RVPartsNow.com
They have an inexpensive correctly sized socket for the anode too.
Thanks Chap, I looked all over for that. I knew I had seen it but could not find it. That bushing Charlie mentioned would also work with the Atwood anode.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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09-15-2011, 08:08 AM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769
Thanks Chap, I looked all over for that. I knew I had seen it but could not find it.
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I had a bit of trouble finding that puppy, also. I remember that I had posted to the link in the past, so I had to do a search of my threads to find it.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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09-15-2011, 05:41 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5
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Only problem I see with the valve wrench is it fits the petcock not a plug. That takes a 1- 1/4" socket.
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09-15-2011, 05:52 PM
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#15
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bsnyder32
Only problem I see with the valve wrench is it fits the petcock not a plug. That takes a 1- 1/4" socket.
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I think the size is 1 1/16th.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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09-15-2011, 06:04 PM
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#16
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bsnyder32
Only problem I see with the valve wrench is it fits the petcock not a plug. That takes a 1- 1/4" socket.
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Whoops... My bad. I did not read closely enough. I am sure they make a similarly priced anode wrench too.
http://www.americanrvcompany.com/Cam...RV_p_6094.html
Here it is.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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09-15-2011, 09:31 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5
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Thanks, that will work. That is a whole lot better than carrying a 3/4" ratchet.
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09-16-2011, 05:32 AM
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#18
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Jim posted about using the anode to drain the tank.
I drain my tank using the low point drain. With the red low point drain open, I pop the pressure relief valve and drain the hot water tank when the rest of the system drains. That way when I take out the anode there is only a tiny bit of water left. Make sure you reseat the pressure valve and not leave it open all winter or it will not reseat properly.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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09-16-2011, 06:54 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Charles, La.
Posts: 1,536
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769
Jim posted about using the anode to drain the tank.
I drain my tank using the low point drain. With the red low point drain open, I pop the pressure relief valve and drain the hot water tank when the rest of the system drains. That way when I take out the anode there is only a tiny bit of water left. Make sure you reseat the pressure valve and not leave it open all winter or it will not reseat properly.
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didn't know that would work. guess i was thinking that it was made like a home wh w/both lines entering and leaving the top. looks like i'm going to have to change my mine set.
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