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03-28-2015, 09:53 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Cornelius, NC
Posts: 171
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Atwood Water Heaters. Anode or not?
We have an Atwood 6 gallon WH in our new RV. It came with only a drain plug and NO anode. I've seen several sites that say anodes are not needed in Atwoods. I'm leery of firing this thing up with a plastic drain plug in it. Just doesn't make sense to me. Our Rockwood had a Dometic WH and anode.
Is it necessary to use an anode? Will it cause issues just having the drain plug in? Ideas and suggestions needed!
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Darren, Donna & The Wieners
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03-28-2015, 09:59 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,640
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Had Atwood WH in last unit for 10 years when traded in with no issues not using anode rod (not required for Atwood). I did get a brass drain plug and saved the nylon supplied one for back up.
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03-28-2015, 10:01 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,695
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In very simple terms:
Atwoods have an aluminum tank. Aluminum doesn't rust.
You can verify this at the bottom right of this Atwood sales brochure pdf:
http://www.atwoodmobile.com/images/W...tage-Sheet.pdf
Suburbans have a porcelain lined steel tank. The anode rod helps keep the steel tank from rusting.
Page 4 of this pdf:
http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/subsw.pdf
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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03-28-2015, 10:05 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Cornelius, NC
Posts: 171
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Thank you, guys! I LOVE THIS FORUM!
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Darren, Donna & The Wieners
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03-28-2015, 10:24 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toad Haul
Thank you, guys! I LOVE THIS FORUM! ��
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You are welcome. First and foremost: Make sure you have water in the heater (and the bypass valves aren't still in the winter mode), and fire that puppy up.
Happy camping
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2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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03-28-2015, 12:08 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 423
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Also, be sure when de-winterizing that you don't get any RV antifreeze in the hot water tank!!!! You won't like the smell.
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03-28-2015, 12:53 PM
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#7
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Old Timer
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sunny southern NM
Posts: 63
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Biggest problem with plastic plug is rounding off the corners trying to get it out. Make sure your socket is the exact size. Otherwise seems to work fine.
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03-28-2015, 12:58 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MA
Posts: 1,830
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I like the idea of having a non steel WH. Aluminum or stainless steel is the way to go. Should last a life time.
Vin.
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2015 HW296
2006 HW256 (previous pup)
2013 Chevy Tahoe
Equalizer WDH 10000#
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03-28-2015, 01:01 PM
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#9
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kentnjudy
Biggest problem with plastic plug is rounding off the corners trying to get it out. Make sure your socket is the exact size. Otherwise seems to work fine.
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Only use a 6 point socket.
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03-28-2015, 03:33 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 78
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toad Haul
We have an Atwood 6 gallon WH in our new RV. It came with only a drain plug and NO anode. I've seen several sites that say anodes are not needed in Atwoods. I'm leery of firing this thing up with a plastic drain plug in it. Just doesn't make sense to me. Our Rockwood had a Dometic WH and anode.
Is it necessary to use an anode? Will it cause issues just having the drain plug in? Ideas and suggestions needed!
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Yo are lucky to have Atwood this unit is lot better then any other in my opinion. it will serve you well mine was 13 years old still worked like new. It never need to replace anode. Doesn't need one.
Enjoy.
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03-28-2015, 04:55 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 516
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I got rid of the plastic nut on my water heater and added a brass drain valve. No worries about stripping the nut and so simple to drain. Also did the same with fresh water tank.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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03-28-2015, 07:23 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 325
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I see the desirability of having a metal drain valve, but I have read that you can run into problems if you ever need to remove it (after a period of time) due to galvanic corrosion between the two dissimilar metals.
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03-28-2015, 07:31 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Quote:
Originally Posted by banda
I see the desirability of having a metal drain valve, but I have read that you can run into problems if you ever need to remove it (after a period of time) due to galvanic corrosion between the two dissimilar metals.
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I have read the same thing, I just use the plug that it came with it has done just fine holding the water and pressure.
Just be sure you have is good and snug.
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2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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03-28-2015, 07:45 PM
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#14
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by banda
I see the desirability of having a metal drain valve, but I have read that you can run into problems if you ever need to remove it (after a period of time) due to galvanic corrosion between the two dissimilar metals.
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I think you will find that a brass plug wrapped with Teflon will not experience any galvanic action in the time it is in the tank. You no doubt remove it to drain the tank when camping season is over.
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03-28-2015, 08:14 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,640
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
I think you will find that a brass plug wrapped with Teflon will not experience any galvanic action in the time it is in the tank. You no doubt remove it to drain the tank when camping season is over.
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Ditto. Brass plug and 10 years with no issues. Did use Teflon tape.
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03-28-2015, 08:48 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 516
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I never thought it would be an issue, bought it from RV supplier and have used it in two trailers. But is something to think about and to watch.
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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