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Old 03-23-2019, 07:20 AM   #1
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Water heater anode

Got our new camper (2019 Salem 27 REI) delivered yesterday and the technician giving the walk through told me that after each stay (it will parked at a permanent spot and used mostly weekends), I need to relieve the water pressure, and pull out the anode to drain the water heater. This seems odd to me and I don’t want to risk stripping the fitting. I’m looking for recommendations about this.
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Old 03-23-2019, 07:26 AM   #2
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your are going to get a range of answers and no one is probably right or wrong just opinon. If my camper is going to sit for more then two weeks I pull the rod and drain. Less then that I don't bother. don't over tighten and you should not have a problem stripping threads. Just a little tricky at first to tip the weight of rod back so threads line up straight.
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Old 03-23-2019, 07:31 AM   #3
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I pull mine once a year when I winterize.
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Old 03-23-2019, 07:44 AM   #4
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What you were told by the tech is bad information. There is no reason to do this.

Since you will be at a permanent site, you should check your anode after a couple of months just to see what it looks like. This will give you an idea of how often you may need to replace it or check it in the future.

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Old 03-23-2019, 07:51 AM   #5
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Those of you who say "never" or "once a year" apparently haven't had the water go bad in the water heater.
Those of us who have smelled the rotten eggs coming out of our faucets are more prone to draining the WH more often.
I drain mine if it's gonna be more than a couple of weeks between uses.

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Old 03-23-2019, 08:21 AM   #6
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Once a year here, but I run the the cold and hot water to clean the outside of the trailer and awning before each trip.
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Old 03-23-2019, 08:38 AM   #7
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Thanks for the input. I think what I’ll do is check it every couple weeks to get a feel for it. Thanks!
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Old 03-23-2019, 08:42 AM   #8
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If mine sets for 3 or more weeks, I turn on the Hot faucet with the WH off and let it run about 6-8 gals of water ....enough to change water in tank. I pull the rod in the fall when I winterize and put it back in the spring.
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Old 03-23-2019, 08:43 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jtmavs View Post
Got our new camper (2019 Salem 27 REI) delivered yesterday and the technician giving the walk through told me that after each stay (it will parked at a permanent spot and used mostly weekends), I need to relieve the water pressure, and pull out the anode to drain the water heater. This seems odd to me and I don’t want to risk stripping the fitting. I’m looking for recommendations about this.
If you plan to use it regularly (you said most weekends) then relieving the pressure between visits is good advice but draining the water heater and pulling the anode each week is a bit much IMHO.

The advice of pulling it after several weeks or a month is a good idea just to see what the quality of YOUR water is doing to the anode.

Everyone's water source is different and so are the opinions that come from having whatever water they have.

We have good water at home and when out, I always use a quality filter when either on city water or when filling the fresh tank. With this, I am able to check and replace my anode annually when winterizing.
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Old 03-23-2019, 08:59 AM   #10
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I have used one of these in the past. It's a short anode rod with a built in drain.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-RV-...Drain/29764291
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Old 03-23-2019, 09:07 AM   #11
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Are the threads universal on water heaters? Does the shorter anode hinder the heating operation?
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Old 03-23-2019, 09:16 AM   #12
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Threads are all the same on Suburban water heaters. Atwood water heaters do not use anode rods. The anode rod with the built in drain is shorter so the only drawback is less sacrificial material so shorter life span.
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Old 03-23-2019, 09:32 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by houstonstroker View Post
Threads are all the same on Suburban water heaters. Atwood water heaters do not use anode rods. The anode rod with the built in drain is shorter so the only drawback is less sacrificial material so shorter life span.
... and it has a much smaller drain opening so it takes longer to drain.
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Old 03-23-2019, 09:52 AM   #14
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When I winterize at the end of the camping season, if the anode is about half used up, I replace it.

I have noticed that it shows more Wear', if I'm camping near the ocean, less in the mountains.
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Old 03-23-2019, 09:54 AM   #15
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If we are using mostly weekends from April to October, will the ones with a drain last a season?
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Old 03-23-2019, 10:11 AM   #16
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TURN OFF the water heater both LP and electric FIRST!

We don't recommend the anode with a drain. It's very slow to drain and doesn't let the sediment out.
Just relieve the pressure and unscrew the anode and flip the pop off valve open.
The tank will drain in a minute or 2. Let the pop off valve snap shut rather than just letting it close slowly. Replace the anode and you're good to go for the next time.
CAUTION-- you MUST be sure and refill the water heater before you turn on the electric element!!! Or gas for that matter.
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Old 03-23-2019, 10:12 AM   #17
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I’m sensing you’re a relatively new camper Jtmavs. Don’t worry, we were all there once.

Draining your water heater every so often is not a major event.....it’s jjust part of regular maintenance.

I suggest you have a look at your anode as soon as you can and take a picture with your phone of it’s condition as a benchmark. Not sure how new your rig is, I didn’t see that mentioned.

Then, every so often, just drain and inspect the anode condition. You’ll see how it progresses with use. I think you’ll find the original anode type works out fine.
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Old 03-23-2019, 10:17 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by houstonstroker View Post
I have used one of these in the past. It's a short anode rod with a built in drain.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-RV-...Drain/29764291
That has a very small hole and can't completely drain the tank thus allowing crud build up,
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