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Old 04-17-2014, 08:53 PM   #1
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Water heater quick drain

I'm one of those guys who likes to drain the water after every use. We just took delivery on our new TT and the water heater does NOT have an Anode rod, just a plastic cap in a hard to get to location making it difficult to drain the tank after every use.

I'm sure this has been done before but I'm a new member to the forum and thought I'd contribute with a simple mod I did today. The parts consist of (2) 1/2inch connectors with a barbed end, (1) half inch ball valve (2) hose clamps, (1) short piece of half inch inside diameter hose, and some Teflon tape. As you can see from the pics it's a very easy mod and cost about $25.00. Well worth the money spent.




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Old 04-17-2014, 09:10 PM   #2
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I wonder how many people drain the hot water heater after every camping trip. I personally never thought to do it. I don't drain my hot water heater at home when I go to work. I'm talking about during the season. Clearly I drain it for the winter. If I were going to drain it every week while at home, I'd also want a ball valve or similar method.
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Old 04-17-2014, 10:10 PM   #3
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Same here - as long as it's the Camping season, I'm not sure it's worth it to bother draining the HWT
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Old 04-18-2014, 09:15 AM   #4
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If you use your trailer infrequently then this would be a good mod to avoid having water sitting in the heater for weeks and getting stale. But it would only work on Atwood WHs since the Suburbans use an anode rod.
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Old 04-18-2014, 09:31 AM   #5
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Correct it would only work on the Atwood WH.
We like to drain it to prevent the water from getting stale as mentioned in another post and this mod makes it almost effortless to do.
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Old 04-18-2014, 09:46 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toby View Post
I wonder how many people drain the hot water heater after every camping trip. I personally never thought to do it. I don't drain my hot water heater at home when I go to work. I'm talking about during the season. Clearly I drain it for the winter. If I were going to drain it every week while at home, I'd also want a ball valve or similar method.
I drain mine after every trip.

Unless we'll be going the very next weekend.



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Old 04-18-2014, 09:53 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itat View Post
If you use your trailer infrequently then this would be a good mod to avoid having water sitting in the heater for weeks and getting stale. But it would only work on Atwood WHs since the Suburbans use an anode rod.
REALLY important to emphasize.



While they DO make an anode with a drain cock in it; it is false economy, IMO.
1) They are expensive since they need to be changed more often
2) The anode is 1/3 the size of the correct size anode
3) The anode will need to be replaced 3 (or more) times more often
4) You may be temped to NEVER remove it when winterizing
5) The water heater could be ruined before you know it.

http://www.rvpartscountry.com/Univer...Anode-Kit.html
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Old 04-18-2014, 04:06 PM   #8
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I drain mine after ever trip. we don't go back to back weekends and I see no reason to let the water sit in the water heater and go stagnant. I even leave the rod out a day or two so all can dry up. I also turn the drain valves on the water lines to the camper and drain the hole system after every trip and flush the tanks out real good too. since there isn't water flowing threw them daily like a house it would only make sense to drain them afterwards.
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Old 04-18-2014, 04:07 PM   #9
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nice job on the mod btw
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Old 04-18-2014, 04:09 PM   #10
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To get back to the mod, are those fittings and hose rated for the temperature of the hot water? If not, I see a minor disaster in the making when they fail.

Rick
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Old 04-18-2014, 04:41 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by RJHuser View Post
To get back to the mod, are those fittings and hose rated for the temperature of the hot water? If not, I see a minor disaster in the making when they fail.

Rick
It is not a hot water hose and will have issue down the road.
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Old 04-18-2014, 05:55 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RJHuser View Post
To get back to the mod, are those fittings and hose rated for the temperature of the hot water? If not, I see a minor disaster in the making when they fail.

Rick
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother Les View Post
It is not a hot water hose and will have issue down the road.

The plastic fittings are made from the same material as the stock plug from the manufacture ( Atwood ) The hose is rated to 125 Degrees F and the Atwood WH are set at 120 Degrees F at the factory. Also the brass ball valve will with stand much higher temps.
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Old 04-19-2014, 07:12 AM   #13
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I think all water heaters have an anode. May be inserted from the top.
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Old 04-19-2014, 07:23 AM   #14
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I think all water heaters have an anode. May be inserted from the top.
Nope,not all! Youroo!!
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Old 04-19-2014, 07:53 AM   #15
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Love those simple mods that are cheap and make life easier, nice job. Like DSRACE, I drain the heater and complete water system after each trip unless going right back out again.
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Old 04-19-2014, 08:00 AM   #16
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Nice mod. Good pictures. Thanks for sharing!

One thing comes to mind-- if you drain it every time you also have
to remember to shut off the electric heater EVERY time.
(And the LP gas switch too!)

Happy Camping!
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Old 05-11-2014, 01:07 PM   #17
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Stagnant water in the hot water heater?
Is there really such a thing?
Even if it did occur, do you drink from the water heater?
If not, then I assume you think this "stagnant" water is harmful to use for washing?
Inquiring minds want to know.
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Old 05-11-2014, 01:38 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan View Post
Nice mod. Good pictures. Thanks for sharing!

One thing comes to mind-- if you drain it every time you also have
to remember to shut off the electric heater EVERY time.
(And the LP gas switch too!)

Happy Camping!
Wouldn't you have to shut them off anyway?

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Old 05-11-2014, 02:20 PM   #19
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I just drain my water heater tank by removing my anode. Flush out any garbage and reinstall anode for my next trip. This way I always know the condition of my anode.
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Old 05-11-2014, 02:36 PM   #20
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I just drain my water heater tank by removing my anode. Flush out any garbage and reinstall anode for my next trip. This way I always know the condition of my anode.
Ditto.

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