Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-12-2019, 06:35 PM   #1
Member
 
Chillaxin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: NW Oregon; NOT Portland
Posts: 49
Anode Rod Question

Hello Guys and Gals!

Our 2019 camping season is over with the harvest of a really nice 5 point (10 points for the Easterners out there) coast Roosevelt Elk! Freezer is FULL!!
Time to put the new 34IK to bed for the winter.

We store her here in our barn, so under cover and totally enclosed for the PNW winter. Lines blown; furnace set to 45 degrees; air driers plugged in; damp rids in place; tanks empty with 'pink stuff' on the bottom.

Water heater: So we pulled the anode rod (photos attached) to drain and clean the 12 gallon Suburban tank.
What do you think of the condition the rod is in? It looks pretty 'eaten' at the threaded end to us.
We're going to reinstall for the winter as a plug but our question is: Should this be replaced in the spring before we use the 5th wheel again?

There was A LOT of the white stuff built up around the inside of the thread hole. There is STILL a small amount of 'white stuff' (what IS that stuff anyway?) that I can't seem to get off with the tank cleaner wand on one of the elements. Is that okay?

I attached some photos. This rod is the original that came with the 5vr in March of this year, so it's 9 months old. We're thinking 'replace in spring' but would like to know if you all agree or use it some more.

Thanks in advance...photos attached.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	fullsizeoutput_77ff.jpg
Views:	132
Size:	254.7 KB
ID:	219098   Click image for larger version

Name:	fullsizeoutput_77fa.jpg
Views:	97
Size:	330.3 KB
ID:	219099   Click image for larger version

Name:	fullsizeoutput_77f9.jpg
Views:	88
Size:	480.5 KB
ID:	219100   Click image for larger version

Name:	fullsizeoutput_77f8.jpg
Views:	92
Size:	426.4 KB
ID:	219101  
__________________
2015 F350 6.7L SD Lariat 4x4 Crew
2020 CC 34IK w/ dishwasher & TrailAir
2014 21’ Thunder Jet Luxor OB 150 Yamaha & 9.9 kicker
“Hunt, fish, camp, travel, repeat”
Chillaxin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2019, 06:38 PM   #2
Pickin', Campin', Mason
 
5picker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
Barely used.
That rod is good for several more seasons.

The white stuff is calcium deposits formed from minerals when heating water. You can 'gently' chip off the deposits around the threads with a screwdriver. The stuff in the bottom of the tank should flush out.

If build up is really bad in the tank, there are videos on YouTube showing how to treat the tank with vinegar to remove the deposits.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA

Days Camped '19=118 '20=116 '21=123 '22=134 '23=118 '24=86
5picker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2019, 06:42 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
wayne272's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 113
Mine looked pretty much the same on a brand new cedar creek that I picked up in april of this year. I just installed a new anode for safety sake. Better than having the tank corrode.
wayne272 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2019, 06:44 PM   #4
Pickin', Campin', Mason
 
5picker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
Factory recommendations are replacement only after the rod is 75% depleted.
.
Click image for larger version

Name:	anode.jpeg
Views:	109
Size:	71.4 KB
ID:	219102
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA

Days Camped '19=118 '20=116 '21=123 '22=134 '23=118 '24=86
5picker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2019, 09:27 PM   #5
Member
 
Chillaxin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: NW Oregon; NOT Portland
Posts: 49
Thanks!

Thanks all! Appreciate all the input. Not sure why there was so much calcium build up at the inside of the opening, but it came right off with my finger and a paper towel. The anode rod is eaten away the most at that area, too.

Will probably buy a new one over the winter and see how it goes with this one the first few months out in the spring.

Have a great winter! Stay warm (or dry if you're in the PNW!)
__________________
2015 F350 6.7L SD Lariat 4x4 Crew
2020 CC 34IK w/ dishwasher & TrailAir
2014 21’ Thunder Jet Luxor OB 150 Yamaha & 9.9 kicker
“Hunt, fish, camp, travel, repeat”
Chillaxin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2019, 10:37 PM   #6
Site Team
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Northen IL
Posts: 8,288
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker View Post
Barely used.
That rod is good for several more seasons.
X2
Iwritecode is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
anode

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:00 PM.