Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Water heater anode

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Water heater anode

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: Non-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10260
Printed Date: 18 May 2024 at 12:50am
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Topic: Water heater anode

Posted By: Johncmarshjr
Subject: Water heater anode
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2017 at 6:09pm

I just replaced the anode after one year. It was almost gone. I would suggest they be replaced annually. $12 can save a lot of headaches.

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ALICE

Replies:

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2017 at 9:23pm

It depends on the water, after 6 years, ours was still about 50%.

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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2017 at 7:52am

I inspect mine every year during winterization. When it gets to 50% I replace it. Water and use are the two primary reasons for deterioration.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2017 at 7:58am

Some areas have water that is very corrosive. The anode rod would not last long there. I changed ours when we picked it up from the factory. It was about 50%. Another thing that will cause it to corrode quickly is if you did not have the water heater bypassed and RV antifreeze got in there.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2017 at 8:25am

After 4 years, mine was almost ready to replace. That was almost 100% strictly with my city water too. Only a few times did I fill at a campground, and regardless of water source, I used a Camco inline filter element on the hose.

The anode rod looked like Swiss cheese, but had about 40-50% left by my estimate, and the inside of the tank looked good. Shine a flashlight in there after removing the anode rod/drain to take a look.

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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Posted By: POD WE R
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2017 at 9:20am

I check mine every 6 months and clean it with a wire brush. I replace it yearly regardless of condition.

E&M

2017 180 HRE

Arizona

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2017 at 12:30pm

Originally posted by POD WE R

I check mine every 6 months and clean it with a wire brush. I replace it yearly regardless of condition.

E&M

2017 180 HRE

Arizona

To each his own but that's kind of like changing a lightbulb every year whether it needs it or not.

TT

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2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2017 at 1:45pm

Originally posted by Tars Tarkas

Originally posted by POD WE R

I check mine every 6 months and clean it with a wire brush. I replace it yearly regardless of condition.

E&M

2017 180 HRE

Arizona

To each his own but that's kind of like changing a lightbulb every year whether it needs it or not.

TT

True, but I do agree with other's that it's cheap insurance regardless of need. Probably every other year would be better. We all have to winterize (well, most of us anyway) and when the hot water tank is drained, the anode rod gets inspected. It wouldn't hurt to put a spare in the outdoor storage, just in case.

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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Posted By: MoPod
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2017 at 2:11pm

Can someone explain the danger of not replacing an anode immediately when it becomes "used up"? I was under the impression that the anode protects the tank from attack by hard water or chemicals in the water. Clearly you wouldn't want to go forever without replacing the anode, but if sometime during the season if it became "used up" and didn't get replaced until the fall when your winterized what danger would there be?

It seems like folks are carrying a lot of stuff and replacing a lot of stuff just in case.

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Bill & Nancy
2015 RPod 179
Previously 2010 RPod 176
2014 Explorer Sport

Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2017 at 2:22pm

The anode rod gets attacked instead of the tank. It helps to prevent galvanic corrosion due to water quality. I do not know how fast the corrosion would happen if the anode rod wasn't present (worn completely).

Every hot water tank has an anode rod, even your home water heater tanks have a sacrificial anode rod which must be inspected regularly or you risk corrosion of the tank.

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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 02 Jul 2017 at 4:10pm

Originally posted by ToolmanJohn

The anode rod gets attacked instead of the tank. It helps to prevent galvanic corrosion due to water quality. I do not know how fast the corrosion would happen if the anode rod wasn't present (worn completely).

Every hot water tank has an anode rod, even your home water heater tanks have a sacrificial anode rod which must be inspected regularly or you risk corrosion of the tank.

Mostly correct, but there are WH's without anodes. Depends on tank material and lining. Our Lance has a WH without anode needed.

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