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Old 10-16-2015, 02:57 PM   #1
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Atwood W/H Drain Plug Replacement

Have seen on the Forum different concerns between Nylon vice Brass Plugs. I fouled the threads on my tank drain and can't get the OME plug to thread, however, I went to a RV Parts place and specifically asked for a plug for my model number Atwood W/H. The lady checked her parts list and came back with a CAMCO brass plug with a petcock. The brass plug will catch and snug down. While camping this past week, I came across a guy with a brass plug in a Atwood W/H that he has used for years with no problems. So, what to do? I'm leaning toward the brass plug.
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Old 10-16-2015, 04:06 PM   #2
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I think that the threads on the water heater are damaged. I think if you get a 1/2 inch steel pipe nipple you can thread it into the hole - carefully - and straighten out the threads on the water heater since the threads are aluminum. This might allow you to use the standard nylon plug; best to use several wraps of teflon tape.

Numerous sources say that brass + aluminum = corrosion so for me that would eliminate the use of a brass component.
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Old 10-16-2015, 07:07 PM   #3
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Many people put the brass plug into an aluminum tank but by the galvanic scale a method that determines when metals are compatible you should not put the two together. I think that RVhiker is correct the two metals are just too far apart and have the potential to cause problems.

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Old 10-16-2015, 07:45 PM   #4
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If you wrap the threads of the male brass fitting with teflon tape, there will be little to no metal-to-metal contact. The tank will likely fail long before corrosion at that point becomes an issue.

I put a 1/2 brass boiler drain into my HWT. This gives me a male garden hose connection that I can hook onto if I want to drain into a bucket or backflush into the tank.
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Old 10-16-2015, 08:55 PM   #5
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[QUOTE=Socco1;348944]If you wrap the threads of the male brass fitting with teflon tape, there will be little to no metal-to-metal contact. The tank will likely fail long before corrosion at that point becomes an issue.

BINGO, I'm on 2 1/2 years now and nothing, no problems at all.
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Old 10-17-2015, 05:43 PM   #6
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If you wrap the threads of the male brass fitting with teflon tape, there will be little to no metal-to-metal contact. The tank will likely fail long before corrosion at that point becomes an issue.
As you tighten the plug with the teflon tape it shreds and you do get metal to metal contact. You might have good luck and you might not and whether your tank fails from corrosion or you trade the trailer first could be a toss up. For the price of a nylon plug or three you can't buy a water heater. Why take the chance. For a tank that gets drained once a year how much convenience are you getting with a brass petcock drain versus the nylon plug.

My trailer is 4 years old and I'm still using the original drain plug with no leaks. I teflon tape it going in and use a proper sized wrench to take it out.
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Old 10-17-2015, 10:02 PM   #7
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I see both sides of this discussion. The nylon nut is a wickid pain in the butt to remove on mine due to gas line location. A nice brass petcock has been calling my name.

I agree the nylon tape does get mashed enough so some metal thread-thread contact will occur.

I'm probably going to stay with the annoying nylon because I imagine more water will remain in the tank if a brass nipple fitting is screwed in versus fully removing the nylon.
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Old 10-17-2015, 10:06 PM   #8
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A nylon plug doesn't come with any aluminum tank compatibly risks, and the inside "cup" of the nylon plug collects loose sediment ......., I install a new nylon plug every time I winterize my TT.

Bob
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Old 10-18-2015, 01:59 AM   #9
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I did this.. No issues about corrosion..
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Old 10-18-2015, 01:25 PM   #10
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has anyone used the aftermarket anode rod with built in drain on the atwood water heaters?
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Old 10-18-2015, 01:56 PM   #11
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I would not put an anode rod in an Aluminum tank. I think that is a bad mix of metals.
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Old 10-18-2015, 03:21 PM   #12
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I did this.. No issues about corrosion..
I've seen that done before, good work-around!

Bob
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Old 10-18-2015, 03:27 PM   #13
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Thats it !!!! done deal.
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Old 10-19-2015, 03:28 PM   #14
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Atwood W/H

Thanks to all. Went with the brass plug due to the OME plug cross threading. Not really worried about any reaction from mixing the 2 metals.
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Old 10-19-2015, 05:29 PM   #15
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I did this.. No issues about corrosion..

What size was the tap for threading in the nylon plug?
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Old 10-19-2015, 06:56 PM   #16
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Should be 1/2" NPT, I think.
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Old 10-19-2015, 07:14 PM   #17
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For a drain, here's an easy option. I just put a 1/2" Nylon nipple in, and put a hose with 1/2" x 3/8" fittings I think, and pex stop valve on the end. Makes draining easy. Hose is just one of those like under kitchen or bath sink in your home, so it'll handle the hot water. I still remove all this every now and then to rinse the tank out with a tank rinser, but the drain hose makes things too easy, especially since I drain it every trip, in the shop, into a bucket.
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