Tank water heater drain

[Bluesky46]

I am thinking about replacing my nylon water heater drain plug with one of these. Anyone have any thoughts on whether that's a good or bad idea? It would sure make it easier to drain the water heater.

[Iraqvet05]

I have read some people have used a brass plug but personally, I would not use one on my Atwood water heater. The threads on the Atwoods are aluminum and if you cross-thread the tank, you may develop a leak. The soft nylon plug will strip before the aluminum threads.

[gprapim]

Originally Posted by Bluesky46

I am thinking about replacing my nylon water heater drain plug with one of these. Anyone have any thoughts on whether that's a good or bad idea? It would sure make it easier to drain the water heater.

Personally, I would replace it with an anode plug to prevent any electrolysis that will eat your tank away, in time.


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[che57vy]

Camco 11533 Anode Rod with Drain for Aluminum Water Heater Look at this one on Amazon anode rod with a drain

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by Bluesky46

I am thinking about replacing my nylon water heater drain plug with one of these. Anyone have any thoughts on whether that's a good or bad idea? It would sure make it easier to drain the water heater.

I have used this drain plug for three seasons with no problems. Just be careful when installing, no reason it should cross thread if you go slow. Makes it simple and quick to drain the tank and no more messing with that stupid plastic plug.

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by che57vy

Camco 11533 Anode Rod with Drain for Aluminum Water Heater Look at this one on Amazon anode rod with a drain

If you have an Atwood aluminum tank an anode rod is not used. Here is a reply from Atwood about this.

Your Atwood Water Heater is made of a special aluminum alloy that does not require the use of an anode rod. Even though there are people who may tell you an anode rod is required you should not use one in our product it can actually harm the tank and would not be beneficial.

[che57vy]

good point never heard that wonder why they would sell one if not needed profit I guess i know Suburbans are enamel over steel if it fails tank starts deteriorating so a anode rod would help with it, My Atwood is aluminum no deteriorating per say tho I have had one developed a hole

[SloPoke]

In our previous motorhome... we had the same drain shenanigans.

With that drain-cock, It took 10X the time to drain, and because of the slow flow rate - sediment in the tank never got washed out. I went and got another Nylon plug and never had an issue.

[jloco]

Originally Posted by che57vy

wonder why they would sell one if not needed profit I guess

Aftermarket. Atwood themselves does not make an anode rod that I'm aware of.

[bigironcoder]

If looking for a better way to drain your water heater, you can replace the plastic plug with a 1/2" CPVC fitting connected to a short hose. I've done that in my last 2 trailers. Don't use regular PVC. It can't handle the heat. I think I've seen pictures on this forum somewhere about how to do it.

[Jagiven]

Should work.

I made a hose connection. I do not have an image, as the HTT is in winter storage.

I used a pipe nipple, a 12" piece of braid hose, maybe for a toilet or sink connection along with a 1/4 turn valve, again maybe for a toilet connection. It works great!

[RogerR]

I prefer to use the supplied nylon plug. With it out the max water drain possible is done automatically. If you put the drain in a plug you will leave an extra quarter inch in there.

When I remember, I take my shop vac and hold a quarter inch pvc soft pipe in the hole and suck out a little more water.

Draining through the standard drain area won't hurt as it is exposed to the elements anyway and is waterproof.

[jloco]

Originally Posted by RogerR

I prefer to use the supplied nylon plug. With it out the max water drain possible is done automatically. If you put the drain in a plug you will leave an extra quarter inch in there.


.

I like the nylon plug too. Not so much for residual water in the tank, but with the plug removed it allows me to stick my flush wand in there to give it a good rinse. I leave the plug out to allow fresh air in there until next time I use the heater.



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[ranchosinvacas]

The brass drain pictured in this thread is what I installed on my Atwood heater.
As for slow drain time with the brass unit...you can easily speed up the process by just opening the pop-off valve (pressure relief valve) on the heater.

[KST-184BH]

Originally Posted by bigironcoder

If looking for a better way to drain your water heater, you can replace the plastic plug with a 1/2" CPVC fitting connected to a short hose. I've done that in my last 2 trailers. Don't use regular PVC. It can't handle the heat. I think I've seen pictures on this forum somewhere about how to do it.

Here was mine, which has made it an easier task:
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/m...cture8707.html

[thirdktm]

Change it.The metal drain plug makes operation so much easier.......