Anode Rod Replacement

[beagle22b07]

I'm prepping for another season and was checking my anode rod. 90% of it looks like it could go another season, but I'm concerned that it will break off at the plug at some point and just lay in the tank until it's all consumed. My gut feeling is just replace it, but I thought I'd get some opinions from the forum before I do that. Thanks to all for a great forum.

[wmtire]

You have some life left to it. It won't break off, as that wire goes all the way thru it.

[5picker]

While it does have some life left... they are only a few dollars... replace it.

[Scrub175]

Originally Posted by 5picker

While it does have some life left... they are only a few dollars... replace it.

Agreed. You've done most of the work to replace it.

[beagle22b07]

Originally Posted by 5picker

While it does have some life left... they are only a few dollars... replace it.

Yeah. I agree. I just wonder why it sacrificed so much so close to the plug. My last one did the same thing so I replaced it with a magnesium one and the same thing happened. I'm only getting one year out of an anode. Is that typical? We do camp at a lot of parks that probably have treated well water. Maybe that's it.

[MT Biker]

Just remember (unlike myself) to release the pressure valve before taking the rod out!
We certainly had an amazing shower of high pressured water jetting out!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by beagle22b07

Yeah. I agree. I just wonder why it sacrificed so much so close to the plug. My last one did the same thing so I replaced it with a magnesium one and the same thing happened. I'm only getting one year out of an anode. Is that typical? We do camp at a lot of parks that probably have treated well water. Maybe that's it.

Mine have always done the same and my reasoning is that is the area closest to the steel threaded port so that's the area of the anode that gets used up the quickest.

Is the corrosion typical for 1 year... that depends a lot on the chemical make up of your water.

I look at it this way... for $10 or so... cheapo insurance for a year regardless.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by beagle22b07

Yeah. I agree. I just wonder why it sacrificed so much so close to the plug. My last one did the same thing so I replaced it with a magnesium one and the same thing happened. I'm only getting one year out of an anode. Is that typical? We do camp at a lot of parks that probably have treated well water. Maybe that's it.

That's how they always wear out. They never wear "evenly" like shown in the pic above. At least in my experience.

Personally, I think you should be able to get another year out of that one as long as you check it regularly.

A lot of people like to change them yearly whether they need to or not.

[Flybob]

I agree with replace it as it is out. When you purchase the new one Buy two. That way when you check it again and need to replace it, you will not have to make another trip or pay shipping again.

[270S]

As an OEM in the marine industry I "invented" coating the end of the actual anode closest to the screw threads - NOT THE ACTUAL Screw Threads themselves with simple, but decent quality Nail Polish. The anode will wear 100% even vs from the thread end wear out. See pics and explanation - link to one of my many web pages.

ZRD FAQ - How to extend the useful life Zincs


FYI, the marine zincs (anodes) do not have a wire all the way through and do fall off!

[BBQGUY]

Replace yearly.
We remove ours when winterizing and replace with a new one when prepping for the first spring trip.

[Mr. Dan]

I replace mine when it's at least 2/3s used up. I keep my trailer at home so I can check mine pretty much any time I want. When I de-winterize the trailer (early March in Texas), I make an educated guess as to how long the rod will last. If I don't think it will make it to winterization (late November in Texas), I set a computer reminder to check it again - say in August.

One guy here once said "I replace mine if it shows any sign of wear (what?)"... said he didn't want to appear cheap. I said an anode rod is a consumable... should be used completely. I asked if he had the same philosophy about toilet paper... "do you toss a roll of toilet paper after using 1/4 of a roll - so you don't appear to be cheap?" He didn't reply.

Your mileage may vary (and yes, I have spares... and no, our anode rods don't seem to "sacrifice" as rapidly as some do).

[beagle22b07]

Originally Posted by BBQGUY

Replace yearly.
We remove ours when winterizing and replace with a new one when prepping for the first spring trip.

Well, I got my new anode rod and low & behold the directions say the rod should last at least one year. If not, you should switch to an aluminum rod. So I guess what I have is not abnormal. Thanks to all for the help and comments.