HW Heater Anode for Drain Plug

[pward]

My 22J HW heater does not have an anode. I'm seeing what looks like a drain plug that includes an anode on Amazon. Would this be worthwhile to add?

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by pward

My 22J HW heater does not have an anode. I'm seeing what looks like a drain plug that includes an anode on Amazon. Would this be worthwhile to add?

No. Your tank doesn’t have an anode because it doesn’t need one. Those anode drain plugs are meant for suburban tanks so people can drain the tank without having to remove the anode rod.

[pward]

Great! Thank you.

[RedHorse1]

It was explained to me this way:
Suburban starts with “S”, has stainless steel tank, needs an anode.
Atwood starts with “A”, has aluminum tank, no anode.

[Thomson]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

It was explained to me this way:
Suburban starts with “S”, has stainless steel tank, needs an anode.
Atwood starts with “A”, has aluminum tank, no anode.

Educate me.

When a tank is made from stainless steel it does not corrode very easily. That's what flatware and other tings are made. When a tank, or anything else, is made from aluminum, it will corrode very easily. Mild acids, salt water, mild bases eat through very quickly evolving hydrogen. It would seem to me that you would want to use a magnesium anode in an aluminum tank.

Where does my logic fail?

[norty1]

Originally Posted by Thomson

Educate me.

When a tank is made from stainless steel it does not corrode very easily. That's what flatware and other tings are made. When a tank, or anything else, is made from aluminum, it will corrode very easily. Mild acids, salt water, mild bases eat through very quickly evolving hydrogen. It would seem to me that you would want to use a magnesium anode in an aluminum tank.

Where does my logic fail?

That little memory reminder is nice but not fact. Go by the mfg’ documents. The sacrificial anode on Suburban tanks is there because the Mfg made it a part of the product. Taking it out shortens the tanks life and voids the warranty. Could the S mean steel?, I don’t know but I’m not taking a chance.
The plastic drain solution is not for Suburban WH’s.

[che57vy]

The reason an Anode Rod is required by a Suburban Water Heater is because the tank of the Suburban Water Heater uses glass enamel over a steel tank. If the enamel cracks for any reason it will expose the steel to the water and the steel will start to corrode even from a pinhole in the enamel.

[CAG]

It is fairly simple. First read the manual. Second if it had one from the factory replace it with like. If not don't. They did not put one there for a reason.

[pward]

Originally Posted by CAG

It is fairly simple. First read the manual. Second if it had one from the factory replace it with like. If not don't. They did not put one there for a reason.

I bought a one owner rig. If they had taken it out I would not know that. And, manuals are so generic I don't trust them much. Otherwise, good logic.

[TCNashville]

To be absolutely sure, verify what brand of water heater you have. Atwood=no anode. Suburban=anode rod.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by pward

I bought a one owner rig. If they had taken it out I would not know that. And, manuals are so generic I don't trust them much. Otherwise, good logic.

That would be good logic if it were not for the fact that if the anode were removed there would be a big hole there that would not let the tank fill. The anode is the plug for that hole.

Manuals for a specific model are pretty specific about whether it should have an anode or not. If not, and you put one in (difficult to do) it will damage the lining of the tank over time.

[pward]

Originally Posted by CAG

That would be good logic if it were not for the fact that if the anode were removed there would be a big hole there that would not let the tank fill. The anode is the plug for that hole.

Manuals for a specific model are pretty specific about whether it should have an anode or not. If not, and you put one in (difficult to do) it will damage the lining of the tank over time.

As I mentioned in my first post, was looking at an anode that is part of the drain plug, not a separate one.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by pward

As I mentioned in my first post, was looking at an anode that is part of the drain plug, not a separate one.

That is what I am saying. The anode removal leaves a hole in the tank.

[JFlightRisk]

If you do have an Atwood water heater, buy a couple of nylon drain plugs that are 1/2-14 NPT pipe thread. One to install, and a spare.

[norty1]

Camco makes one that will fit a Suburban wh but what's the point.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-11533-H.../dp/B01HT40DDI
or
https://www.amazon.com/NW-Leisure-TS...CGDNSR07RWTZA7

The descriptions are all wrong as it states it will work in a Atwood but the mfg says it's not needed.

[eeek]

Originally Posted by CAG

That would be good logic if it were not for the fact that if the anode were removed there would be a big hole there that would not let the tank fill. The anode is the plug for that hole.

Manuals for a specific model are pretty specific about whether it should have an anode or not. If not, and you put one in (difficult to do) it will damage the lining of the tank over time.

They are not. The manual for the Redhawk, for example, shows both with and without an anode rod and does nothing to explain what 7 models have what.
It is not a reliable source of information in this case whatsoever.

[Thomson]

So. At this point no one has explained the logic of when to use an anode, versus when not to use one.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Thomson

So. At this point no one has explained the logic of when to use an anode, versus when not to use one.

Reference Post #7......., 'steel' RV tanks.

Bob

[norty1]

If you are not sure I would look up the Model on the mfg’s website. That’s the only reliable info.
Only 2 brands, Atwood -no anode or Suburban yes, anode.

[Jim Davis]

It seems to me that if one looks at the inside of the door protecting the water heater there are some basic instructions. This sheet also names the manufacturer and gives a model number. If you go to google with the manufacturer and model number you can get the full owners manual. To me that is where I would go and print a copy to keep in the camper for future reference.