Water heater drain mod - would this cause problems?

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by SteveMM

That sounds like beyond the amount of trouble I'm willing to put into this.

Ya, I was more just typing out loud (my thoughts). Being that there were all kinds of ideas being floated and all...

[Treatcg]

Mine.



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[01tundra]

Here's where I'm at so far -

[norty1]

I heard an explosion years ago and found that nylon plug blown out.


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[SteveMM]

Originally Posted by 01tundra

Here's where I'm at so far -

*snip*

Where were you able to find that male-to-male nylon fitting?

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by SteveMM

Where were you able to find that male-to-male nylon fitting?

https://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-...FRY9gQods5EM_w

[01tundra]

Here's the quick drain assembly I'll be using for our WH, I'll get it installed this weekend.

1/2" Nylon threaded nipple, 12" long x 1/2" FPT faucet supply hose, 1/2" full-port hose bibb. Other than the Nylon nipple, everything was sourced from Lowes for under $20.

[wags999]

One more thing to remember, when you drain your tank, even by removing the nylon plug, there is still about a half gallon of water left in the tank. This is where most of the "scale" would be also. So you need flush the tank once the water has been drained. So, at least once a year you would need to remove the plug to allow you to drain and flush it properly.

[SteveMM]

Would this be the same thing in nylon? I found it on Amazon after finally figuring out what to search.

https://www.amazon.com/Tefen-Nylon-P...dp/B006OO909I/

[NVGun40]

There are nylon/plastic male to male or other ways to build this type of drain.
I purchased all mine from an RV/Trailer supply store, including the heater hose.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/m...icture4779.jpg

[dirtymudslinger]

Only time you have to worry about aluminum corrosion is when it's in contact with a ferrous metal, such as steel. Brass is nonferrous so you'll be fine.

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[01tundra]

Originally Posted by dirtymudslinger

Only time you have to worry about aluminum corrosion is when it's in contact with a ferrous metal, such as steel. Brass is nonferrous so you'll be fine.

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The farther apart the materials are on this chart the more potential for galvanic corrosion (environment that the materials are subjected to also comes into play). In our field (process piping design) we would avoid the direct connection of brass and aluminum without some form of dielectric protection.


This isn't to say that galvanic corrosion will absolutely happen, but the potential is definitely there.


My main concern was the potential to crack the water heater bung with a brass nipple because I tend to overtighten threaded connections. I believe the Nylon nipple gives me a little buffer. But I also don't want to invite the potential for corrosion if I can help it. It's common for me to have to deal with it at work.....I don't want to have to deal with it at the campground also.

[johnsoax]

After the 1st few times we camped and no water came out, I only remove that plug to drain/flush when I winterize...


I open the low point drains under the bathroom sink and then pop the relief valve on the water heater, it gets out just as much of the water as removing this plug. Added bonus is that I don't have to mess with it.

[01tundra]

Got it all installed today.

On another note, anybody know what the red, cone shaped, plastic sleeve is for? -

[norty1]

That is a plug for the pressure relief valve. Just to keep a dirt dauber from setting up housekeeping.

It usually blows out and gets lost the first time you open the relief valve.

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by norty1

That is a plug for the pressure relief valve. Just to keep a dirt dauber from setting up housekeeping.

It usually blows out and gets lost the first time you open the relief valve.

It's hollow though, not closed like a plug on the end?

[norty1]

Originally Posted by 01tundra

It's hollow though, not closed like a plug on the end?

Right, just meant to be pushed up in the threaded outlet of the pressure relief valve.

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by norty1

Right, just meant to be pushed up in the threaded outlet of the pressure relief valve.

Ok thanks, guess it fell out at some point.

[dirtymudslinger]

Thanks 01tundra. I had not ever seen that before. I was going from what I had learned with the new aluminum body parts on vehicles. Learned something new. I had always thought that since brass isn't a ferrous metal that it won't react like a ferrous metal like steel.

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[Sunflake]

Ive had a different concern with the water heater and the plastic drain plug. Why on earth would the have it drain this way and then put the wiring diagram on the door where the water is sure to destroy it. I've wondered about a good way to save the diagram.