Suburban drain plugs

[Bsnyder32]

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!

[TURBS]

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

[Bsnyder32]

But if I want to keep it is there an option or does no one make the same thing for suburban?

[TURBS]

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 .

[Bsnyder32]

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.

[jimh]

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.

[Herk7769]

Amazon.com: Camco 11533 RV Anode Rod with Drain for Aluminum Water Heater: Automotive

Amazon.com: Camco 11563 RV Aluminum Anode Rod Fits Suburban Heaters: Automotive

Amazon.com: Camco 11553 RV Magnesium Anode Rod Fits Atwood Heaters: Automotive

While I found two different anode rods for Suburban (both without drains) There was only one I saw with the drain and that was an Atwood.

I will keep looking. Found this cool pic of the rod deterioration though.

[cfsoistman]

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.

[Herk7769]

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.

[MtnGuy]

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

[jimh]

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).

[Herk7769]

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.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Thanks Chap, I looked all over for that. I knew I had seen it but could not find it.

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.

[Bsnyder32]

Only problem I see with the valve wrench is it fits the petcock not a plug. That takes a 1- 1/4" socket.

[MtnGuy]

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.

I think the size is 1 1/16th.

[Herk7769]

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.

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.

[Bsnyder32]

Thanks, that will work. That is a whole lot better than carrying a 3/4" ratchet.

[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.

[jimh]

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.

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.