HW Heater Anode for Drain Plug

[davidceder]

If you decide you do not need the anode rod you can get one of these.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Inch-11...4276101&sr=8-2

I tried one many years ago but it always leaked a little bit and take a good amount of time to drain. Maybe they are better now than they were.

[nko2000]

From Camco website:

Anode Rod - Mag 1 / 2"-14NPTx4-1 / 2"Lx0.600"OD w / DrainV(Atwood)

Item #: 11533

Camco RV Anode Rod with Drain is a patented magnesium anode rod for aluminum water heaters (Atwood style). It preserves the life of your water heater by corroding itself so your water heater tank doesn't. Replace your 1/2" pipe thread drain plug with the Camco RV Water Heater Anode Rod to extend the life of your RV’s water heater. This Anode rod features an internal drain valve to allows you to drain your water heater without tools.

Magnesium anode rod for aluminum water heaters (Atwood style)
It preserves the life of the water heater by corroding itself so the water heater tank doesn't
Internal drain valve allows to drain your water heater without tools
Includes internal drain valve that allows draining of the water heater without tools
4.5" long x 0.5" NPT threads

[Mzellers5]

When I bought my previous Class C used, it came with an Atwood and an anode rod on the drain plug. Called the manufacturer's customer service number and was told that since the tank was aluminum, remove rod immediately and replace with nylon plug.

Also, in a recent forum issue there was a thread about other solutions which make draining easier for winterizing.

[unzinators]

How does the anode rod hurt the tank? I have one also and it’s nice for draining the tank.

[Thomson]

Now I understand Atwood's statement about no anode. If you go back to high school chemistry and remember all about batteries, you will find that aluminum is above zinc, but below magnesium in the electromotive force table (Google it for the chart.). this means that magnesium will corrode in preference to aluminum, and aluminum will corrode in preference to zinc. So if you put in a zinc anode it will help corrode the aluminum. Since a lot of anodes are made from zinc and Atwood doesn't think we are bright enough to understand the difference, they say no anode.

[pward]

Originally Posted by Thomson

this means that magnesium will corrode in preference to aluminum, and aluminum will corrode in preference to zinc. So if you put in a zinc anode it will help corrode the aluminum.

Very good explanation, thanks!