New Camper Anode Corroded?!

[GT20]

I too purchased a new travel trailer, and just like you my anode rod was pitted upon my inspection three weeks after I took ownership. I got two more seasons out of it and replaced with an anode that also had a petcock for easy draining after each camping trip.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by GT20

I too purchased a new travel trailer, and just like you my anode rod was pitted upon my inspection three weeks after I took ownership. I got two more seasons out of it and replaced with an anode that also had a petcock for easy draining after each camping trip.

This is a bad idea, IMO, because:

(1) You get less anode material so you need to change it more often
(2) They are much more expensive
(3) They negate the annual visual examination of the anode rod for wear
(4) You are far more likely to forget and discover the rod/spigot is now welded to the tank due to corrosion.
(5) Invalidates the manufacturer's warranty upon installation. (see previously posted clip from the manual)

While you get a short term gain by saving a few minutes while draining (not really since it takes much longer to drain through that little spigot) and some thread tape, the inability to examine the tiny amount of anode material (compared to a real rod) is not worth it, again IMO.

[Ford Idaho]

I for one would like to see a picture of the rod, one mans wrecked and ruined is another mans Rat Rod.

I have an aluminum Atwood so no anode but I still drain the WH and low points after use to keep the water from turning stagnate.

[DebbieHM]

They are sacrificifal. They are supposed to pit and corrode. From the very first second water touches them. That is the way they are supposed to look. And it doesn't need to be replaced until it is only a simple, almost bare steel rod.

[mgarland48]

Corrosion is normal, it may look bad, but it is doing its job. The more minerals in the water the more it corrodes, sacrificing itself to prevent damage to the inside of the tank. I have a suburban heater and it looked kinda nasty, but then it was in no comparison to the one in this video. I saved this link so I can rinse mine out this summer or fall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL7AtXJYNcc

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

This is a bad idea, IMO, because:

(1) You get less anode material so you need to change it more often
(2) They are much more expensive
(3) They negate the annual visual examination of the anode rod for wear
(4) You are far more likely to forget and discover the rod/spigot is now welded to the tank due to corrosion.
(5) Invalidates the manufacturer's warranty upon installation. (see previously posted clip from the manual)

While you get a short term gain by saving a few minutes while draining (not really since it takes much longer to drain through that little spigot) and some thread tape, the inability to examine the tiny amount of anode material (compared to a real rod) is not worth it, again IMO.

and I may be all wet on this but.......

You purchase a Camco water heater clean out wand and flush the remains of the sacrifical anode from the bottom of the tank end of season... Thats what I do at least.

... and I leave my anode out all winter while the unit is in storage. The HWH is on bypass anyway so it's dry inside.

Just how I do it. Right or wrong, works for me.

[JR Smith]

The factory water tests units, the dealer puts in eater to show customers, there has been water in the system since new.Not a biggie.nu

[checkmate99]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

If the anode is corroding, the rest easy that it is doing its job, instead of letting the tank itself corrode.

The camper itself may be new, but you have no idea how old the anode is. That thing could have been made a year or two before it was put into a water heater, and that water heater could be a year old before it even made it into your camper which sat on the lot who knows how long before you bought it.

This isn't something to get upset over.

Tim

X2! For an item that is approx $10 to replace, this seems a big deal over a small item. I just replace mine after my camping year ends....one has to drain the tank anyway, so it's a simple job, and a few dollars spent.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by SidecarFlip

and I may be all wet on this but.......

You purchase a Camco water heater clean out wand and flush the remains of the sacrifical anode from the bottom of the tank end of season... Thats what I do at least.

... and I leave my anode out all winter while the unit is in storage. The HWH is on bypass anyway so it's dry inside.

Just how I do it. Right or wrong, works for me.

This is my process as well.

[Asurvivor]

Why so upset over such a trivial item.

[Flybob]

Slightly OT, but appropriate. When you order/buy an anode rod Get two. They are inexpensive and you save on gas/shipping for the second one. Also when you pull it and decide it needs to be replaced now, you simply pull out the new one and your good to go.

[txredfish]

My anode rod was the same way after purchase. It still had some life but about half gone. Replaced after about 6 months old. Usually they will last me a couple of years.
What causes this on a new camper, I don't know. As someone has already stated, the dealer may have tested and left water in the hot water heater instead of draining.