replace water heater drain plug with ball valve

[ggilbert]

is there any reason i shouldn't replace water heater drain plug with ball valve?
one like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...VFP7DUSD&psc=1

my water heater is a Dometic brand. i really thing it is made by atwood.

[THE MEEKER]

Is it not wise to connect stainless steel valves into aluminum tanks?

When aluminum and stainless steel are used in an assembly together, the electrons from the aluminum will begin to transfer into the stainless steel, resulting the aluminum to corrode at a much faster rate.

[ggilbert]

Originally Posted by THE MEEKER

Is it not wise to connect stainless steel valves into aluminum tanks?

When aluminum and stainless steel are used in an assembly together, the electrons from the aluminum will begin to transfer into the stainless steel, resulting the aluminum to corrode at a much faster rate.

would brass work?

[ggilbert]

would this valve work?https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...PTQG1EBE&psc=1

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

Apply teflon tape (not thread sealant compound). It will allow for removal later, no problem.

[stateboy]

Also, if you choose to go with the valve, the brass is more forgiving than stainless but both are harder than aluminum. Either way, the aluminum is going to be the first metal to get stripped. So, if you're using something harder than the nylon to thread into your aluminum threaded tank, take your time so you don't cross thread it. The aluminum water heater threads will lose every time.

[jbrnigan]

I purchased a sacrificial anode for my water heater that had a petcock in the end, If I'm not going to use the trailer for a more that a week, I just open the petcock and drain the heater. At end of the season, I remove the anode for a complete drain.

[TCNashville]

I've thought about installing a drain plug as well because the plastic plug is such a PITA to remove/reinstall but I like the larger opening for flushing the WH. You wouldn't believe the crud [lime] that comes out. I carry spares of the plastic plug.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

I purchased a sacrificial anode for my water heater that had a petcock in the end, If I'm not going to use the trailer for a more that a week, I just open the petcock and drain the heater. At end of the season, I remove the anode for a complete drain.

If your WH originally had a plastic plug (Attwood, aluminum tank) you should not be using the anode rod.

[tslarson]

This is what I did, plastic nipple into tank, short piece of hose, small ball valve. This prevents the chance of galvanic corrosion caused by having dis-similar metals in contact with each other. This works for the Attwood aluminum tank, don't know what the Dometic heaters are made of.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/m...icture1087.jpg

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

I've thought about installing a drain plug as well because the plastic plug is such a PITA to remove/reinstall but I like the larger opening for flushing the WH. You wouldn't believe the crud [lime] that comes out. I carry spares of the plastic plug.

This! The big opening drains quick and allows me to insert a flush tube. I keep a dedicated socket and extension in my tool bag for plug removal and I replace the plug when it begins to leak. Cross threading is not an issue.

[jbrnigan]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

If your WH originally had a plastic plug (Attwood, aluminum tank) you should not be using the anode rod.

Yep WH is an atwood, nope doesn't need an anode rod, and was the easiest way to get a drain valve for my WH (10 bucks), and DOESN'T hurt a thing.
By the way, "something" has corroded my anode over the past two years, not a lot, but..........

[ggilbert]

Originally Posted by tslarson

This is what I did, plastic nipple into tank, short piece of hose, small ball valve. This prevents the chance of galvanic corrosion caused by having dis-similar metals in contact with each other. This works for the Attwood aluminum tank, don't know what the Dometic heaters are made of.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/m...icture1087.jpg

i wonder if i could use this 1/2 to 1/2 " adaptor and the brass cutoff and avoid the corrosion?

https://www.grainger.com/product/22F...gnid=175663197

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by ggilbert

i wonder if i could use this 1/2 to 1/2 " adaptor and the brass cutoff and avoid the corrosion?......snip

Yes.

Bob