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11-15-2011, 11:20 PM
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#1
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daydreaming about camping
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KC area
Posts: 1,404
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how long should a water heater anode rod last?
took ours out to drain the water from the hot water tank, and was rather surprised to see it was in sad shape after just 5-6 camping trips. The rod was severly pitted the entire length, and had corrode about 75% through at the neck. I was concerned it could have broken off inside the tank.
There was also a great deal od grey sediment that came out with the water.
Is this normal?
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2013 Coachmen Freedom Express 320BHDS pulled by a 2005 F250 King Ranch CC
A rainy day camping is better than a sunny day at work.
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11-15-2011, 11:34 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Posts: 2,381
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Most of the corrosion depends on the water you are using. You also mention 5 or 6 trips, but that has nothing to do with it, what is it's age, and do leave the tank full between trips? My anode rod is lees than 5o percent used, 3 years old, 70 nights camping, but I drain the tank when I get home. The anode rod is designed to corrode, so if you leave the tank fu;; of water, it will do it's job, and corrode, even while parked and the water heater not being used.
Not much an answer to your question, just an explanation.
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LadyWindrider
2012 Ford F250 ext. Cab 4x4
2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
2008 Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic
2008 Work and Play 18LT
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11-15-2011, 11:37 PM
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#3
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daydreaming about camping
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KC area
Posts: 1,404
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to that point - it is 2 years old, but as far as I know, had never been drained. It has been full ever since we purchased it in June 2011. The dealer stated it had been used 2-3 times the prior summer. From the looks of it, he was telling the truth.
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2013 Coachmen Freedom Express 320BHDS pulled by a 2005 F250 King Ranch CC
A rainy day camping is better than a sunny day at work.
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11-16-2011, 05:32 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Jefferson County, MO
Posts: 5,449
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I change out the anode rod almost every year.
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Bob and Joyce
2013 CC Silverback 29RL
2010 Ford F250 XL Crew Cab 6.4 liter diesel
ATU Local 788
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11-16-2011, 07:41 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Tecumseh,Ontario
Posts: 118
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I just bought a new anode rod,this one is aluminum,the old one was magnesium...which one is better?
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11-16-2011, 08:04 AM
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#6
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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 tom50mg
I just bought a new anode rod,this one is aluminum,the old one was magnesium...which one is better?
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I am not sure that it really matters. Both are "less noble" than steel, and will give up metal before steel. Zinc is also in that category.
IF the OPers anode rod doesn't look any worse than this:
there there is a lot of life left in that puppy. That photo is mine after 3 years, and I don't plan on replacing it for a bunch more years.
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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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11-16-2011, 10:35 AM
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#7
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Drain your tank after every use.
6 years on my anode rod.
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11-16-2011, 11:15 AM
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#8
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daydreaming about camping
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KC area
Posts: 1,404
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtnguy
I am not sure that it really matters. Both are "less noble" than steel, and will give up metal before steel. Zinc is also in that category.
IF the OPers anode rod doesn't look any worse than this:
Attachment 9225
there there is a lot of life left in that puppy. That photo is mine after 3 years, and I don't plan on replacing it for a bunch more years.
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pretty close - mine is a little more eaten up. It was how narrow around the neck that made me worry.
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2013 Coachmen Freedom Express 320BHDS pulled by a 2005 F250 King Ranch CC
A rainy day camping is better than a sunny day at work.
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11-16-2011, 11:21 AM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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There is a thin "non anode" wire that goes up through the anode rod, keeping everything intact....that is the structural part of the system. The anode wearing away in that area should not be a problem. Most of the anode rods that I have seen deteriorate in the plug area 1st.
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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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11-16-2011, 11:32 AM
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#10
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daydreaming about camping
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KC area
Posts: 1,404
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtnguy
There is a thin "non anode" wire that goes up through the anode rod, keeping everything intact....that is the structural part of the system. The anode wearing away in that area should not be a problem. Most of the anode rods that I have seen deteriorate in the plug area 1st.
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OK - got ya. That is good information. I am used to sacrifical marine anodes that have no non-anode internal structure. once they are eaten through, they are done.
__________________
2013 Coachmen Freedom Express 320BHDS pulled by a 2005 F250 King Ranch CC
A rainy day camping is better than a sunny day at work.
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11-16-2011, 12:11 PM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Y'all must have some hard water in your area.
You might have to replace that puppy in the next couple of years or so.
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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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11-16-2011, 12:22 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Upstate (Albany Area) NY
Posts: 832
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The anode in my tank looks only slightly worse than mtnguy's, and it has four seasons of use. And I don't bother draining in between uses from Memorial Day until Columbus Day.
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Fire Instructor
2022 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
2022 Ford Ranger toad
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11-16-2011, 03:29 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Charles, La.
Posts: 1,536
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the key is the water. i changed mine out after 8 yrs. never drained the tank. it was abt 75% gone.
urs isn't anywhere near gone.
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11-16-2011, 07:31 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Posts: 615
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Mine looks a lot like jeeps after a short 2 months of camping on a brand new unit. I had lots of calcium when I drained the other day as well (posted a thread in the pu/AFrame forum).
I may follow the drain after every trip method, not to save on the anode but more to save the heater itself.
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Jeep4Two
2011 FR Rockwood Premiere A126 Hard Side
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11-18-2011, 01:19 PM
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#15
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Dallas Texas
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 296
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Do any of you buy it online to save $. If so, where?
Acutally I've not bought one so I don't know the cost. I'll be replace the one in the unit as soon as the sale is final.
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11-18-2011, 02:06 PM
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#16
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daydreaming about camping
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KC area
Posts: 1,404
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I got one on eBay for 16 shipped. it was more out of convenience. I did not feel like making a special trip to a dealer which is not really close to me.
__________________
2013 Coachmen Freedom Express 320BHDS pulled by a 2005 F250 King Ranch CC
A rainy day camping is better than a sunny day at work.
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11-18-2011, 02:36 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,031
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The anode should be under $20. I purchased mine from the CG store where I was staying for the summer. Will change yearly. I would rather pay $20 per year then having to replace the WH tank because I wanted to save a few dollars.
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Terry and Janet
2008 3001W Windjammer
2007 Ford F150
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11-18-2011, 04:57 PM
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#18
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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 caper
The anode should be under $20. I purchased mine from the CG store where I was staying for the summer. Will change yearly. I would rather pay $20 per year then having to replace the WH tank because I wanted to save a few dollars.
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You are correct that $20 per year is not a lot of money, but over 10 years that is $200.....that is a lot of beer money. I have no problem with campers wanting to do that, but I am a cheapskate, and only replace things when necessary.
By my understanding, a new anode rod will not protect your water heater any better than a rod that still has anode material on it. But back side of that is, if all of the anode is used during a season and is no longer there, then corrosion of the water heater may begin. That is why you have to be aware of how much is being used every year, and once that puppy gets down to about 25% or less, replacing the rod is essential so that the anode is not all used up before you pull the plug again.
BTW, I think you can get the anode rods for about $12 to $15 an many camping stores.
__________________
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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11-21-2011, 03:05 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Kingston NY
Posts: 109
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtnguy
I am not sure that it really matters. Both are "less noble" than steel, and will give up metal before steel. Zinc is also in that category.
IF the OPers anode rod doesn't look any worse than this:
Attachment 9225
there there is a lot of life left in that puppy. That photo is mine after 3 years, and I don't plan on replacing it for a bunch more years.
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Thats what the one out of our camper looks like maybe not quite as bad. And we just bought the camper and used it for one weekend. I am tempted to call the dealer. I am sure that this camper sat on the lot for a while and may have had water in the tank the whole time before we bought it.
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