Hot Water Heater

How do you drain the hot water heater on a 29RLBS. Take out the anode?

yes, or open the pressure relief valve which should be right there also and then open your low point drain. You may have to hold it open while it drains, but usually you can find a spot where it will stay open while it drains.

Taking out the anode. When I replaced my anode, the new one had a drain in it, kinda handy!

Ok. Thanks. Ended up taking the anode out. Didn't use it much but sure was eaten up. A must for replacement once a year.

I'm inclined not to touch the pressure relief valve. The more one fiddles with these, the more they are apt to not reset properly and then to start to leak. If one opens -up the kitchen faucet, that will let air in to replace the water as it drains.

I'm with Pickle, I don't touch the valve either.

Leave the valve for emergency work or drain, I remove the anode.

After the anode is out and the HWH is drained, you might consider buying a flusher nozzle. I got mine at CampingWorld. It fits on a standard 3/4" garden hose, and has a shut off valve built in. It also has a long, thin nose with an angle at the end that can reach into the HWH through the anode hole and do a good job of flushing out any stuff that's in the bottom. Mine did a good job.

Luck

I do the same as Pickle, I open a hot water faucet in the kitchen and open the drain in my anode rod and drain all of the water from the heater. You are correct, the anodes don't seem to last long, possibly one to two seasons max.

And don't ask me how I know, but if you forget to open the bypass valve one spring and flip on the electric element to heat the air in an empty hot water heater, you will melt the element. And there is a protective breaker on the heater you will have to reset.

But my message is, you can get a replacement element at Lowes or Home Depot. Just take the old element out and take it with you. It was very easy to find a replacement. It is 120v and I don't remember the watts. The replacement was about 1 inch shorter but I think the wattage was the same. There is a standard socket you can purchase also that fits the head of the element for removal. The same socket that works for your home water heater will work on the Wildcat. At least all this is true for my 2002.

Random Travel Photo
Entering Death Valley from the west, about 6:00am

A little bit off the subject but man you take some awesome pics! Really Nice

i believe the socket is a 1 1/16th