Atwood Hot Water Tank Plug with drain

[Johnynorthland]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Just flushed my HWH a couple days ago..., re-applied some "Oatey" Great White Pipe Joint Compound (#31229) on the plastic adapter threads and re-connected the valve assembly to the HWH.

Running hot water leak free.

Bob

ps: Use a plastic adapter with 'non-tapered' threads.

Show off! Lol

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Johnynorthland

Show off! Lol

[Dave A]

Originally Posted by Toad

It is my understanding that the plastic plug installed on the hot water heater is also part of the safety device for an over pressurized tank. If the tank malfunctions, the plug will blow out keeping the tank from exploding. Steel plug will not blow out. Thoughts?

Toad, I was told that it is a safety feature also! Didn't want you to be the lone Ranger.

[DRE]

Originally Posted by tazzman1961

I am looking to put a plug with a shutoff fitting, so I don't have to keep putting the plastic one with thread tape every time I blow out my system in the winter.
I have been reading not to use brass because of dissimilar metal with the aluminum Atwood tanks.

So, I was considering using a 1/2 npt pvc or some other plastic fitting and put a drain valve on it. I read somewhere that the pvc would not hold up to the pressure of the tank, not sure if true or not.

I was also looking at this Camco 11533 4.5” Anode Rod with Drain for Atwood Aluminum Water Heater. Says it's for aluminum Atwood tanks and has a Magnesium Anode Rod. It does not say what the thread's part is made of, but since it says Atwood aluminum tanks, I would think it's ok to use.
Not sure why it has the Anode on it. I read that because Atwood is aluminum it does not get the build up like other tanks

Any suggestions or thoughts about this?
Thanks
Dean

That plastic plug is tapered, should not need plumbers tape. I use a ratcheting wrench, comes off and on in seconds.

[Isaacs]

Originally Posted by Parrott

Your tank has a pressure relief valve for that.

Fail safe? Those relief valves can be unreliable.

[Parrott]

Originally Posted by Isaacs

Fail safe? Those relief valves can be unreliable.

Anything can fail. How many failsafes do you have on yours?

[ggilbert]

Originally Posted by Parrott

Anything can fail. How many failsafes do you have on yours?

I think those cheap black plastic pex fittings would fail before the heater does If not the cheap Rv plastic faucets would fail, Before the heater would explode.
So multiple fails in a Jayco. Factory installed too.

[Isaacs]

Originally Posted by Parrott

Anything can fail. How many failsafes do you have on yours?

I was saying that the plastic drain plug might be designed to function as a backup to the relief valve should it fail. I'd rather have that happen than for the hoses and faucets inside the trailer to blow out.