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Topic: Do you have an anode rod in water heater? (Read 425 times) previous topic - next topic

Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Went to drain the water tank and inspect the anode rod and found it just has a plastic threaded bung and no anode rod.  Do you'all have just the plastic bung or do you have anode rod?
2002 36' U270 Foretravel

Re: Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Reply #1 –
No anode in mine but it's an all-aluminum tank.  Doesn't require an anode.

Re: Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Reply #2 –
Same as bdale, no anode rod, aluminum tank.
John
John and Stacey Smith
Motorcade NO: 11973
1997 U295 CSGI 40'..Build No. 5036     
920 Watts on the roof..CAT Power w/fuel Inj. Programmer
2021 GMC Sierra AT4 1500
EX..2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Ex 1990 U280 RSAI 36'..Build No. 3638

Re: Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Reply #3 –
I thought that with aluminum tank you wouldn't need one, but wanted to be sure.
Thanks
2002 36' U270 Foretravel

Re: Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Reply #4 –
Correct.  With an ATWOOD water heater which Foretravel used, no anode.  Replace the Atwood nylon drain plug annually when you service the water heater.  About $1 each at any RV store.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Correct.  With an ATWOOD water heater which Foretravel used, no anode.  Replace the Atwood nylon drain plug annually when you service the water heater.  About $1 each at any RV store.
Excellent comment.......our's had not been serviced when we got her and I noticed right away the nylon plug had SPLIT and was leaking!  :facepalm:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Reply #6 –
I replaced our plastic plug with a galvanized plug and a petcock in it for draining.  Is that a bad thing??    Dissimilar metal ??
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
I replaced our plastic plug with a galvanized plug and a petcock in it for draining.  Is that a bad thing??    Dissimilar metal ??

Yes, a bad thing.  The aluminum tank is now the ANODE and will erode to protect the galvanized steel.  Also, the steel threads are a LOT tougher than the much softer aluminum threads of the tank.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Reply #8 –
K... well it's a good thing I kept the plastic plug.  I'll be switching it out tomorrow when the water is cool. 
  Thanks Brett..
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Do you have an anode rod in water heater?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
K... well it's a good thing I kept the plastic plug.  I'll be switching it out tomorrow when the water is cool. 
  Thanks Brett..

Use a new one.  They do age and get brittle.

2 1/2 wraps of teflon tape helps seal it.  Start by just a little tighter than hand tight.  If it leaks, tighten a little more.  Said another way if you crank on it, you can break the nylon plug.

But broken plugs are easy to remove with a sprinkler head remover tool from any box store.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020