How long does your Anode rod last?

by kwf904 on 10/28/2010, 10:47 am

I know the type of water has an influence on how long the anode rod will last, but I just took mine out after two seasons and it still looks new. When do you change yours?
Jim

by oldelmer1 on 10/28/2010, 11:35 am

It usually gets eaten away next to the threaded end.

I take mine out and clean it off if I'm not going to use the camper for a few weeks or longer. I wipe the goo off, then sand it with some 150 grit sand paper, then scrub it with a scotch pad and some dish soap.

Sounds like a lot of work, but it only takes a few minutes. Then I put 2 wraps of teflon tape on and sit it into the HWH area waiting for the next camping trip. I also turn the electric switch off on the outside of the HWH too.

But to answer your question, mine was 3 years old and still looked new.

by schrowang on 10/28/2010, 2:19 pm

oldelmer1 wrote:Then I put 2 wraps of teflon tape on and sit it into the HWH area waiting for the next camping trip.

Tom,

I've heard pros and cons as to putting teflon tape on the fitting. Some say that it negates the effect of the rod and others say, "Not so!"

Anyone on here know the answer?

BTW Jim, I just pulled mine after 18 months of use and like Tom, I simply cleaned it up and put it back, sans teflon tape. I'd expect to get one more season out of it. Also, the HWT was in constant use during the past 6 months.

by Carpe Diem on 10/28/2010, 3:06 pm

I replace mine every season as I think it costs about $12. Mine is pretty well gone near the threaded end, but the rest looks alright. I put tape on mine too, because that is the way it came.....don't know if it is wrong or right.

by maxum1989 on 10/28/2010, 3:35 pm

I'm still on the one that came with my trailer and it is an 06.

by gkeager on 10/29/2010, 1:52 am

Mines an '06 too. I replaced it once but usually just remove, clean and replace for each season. I've got a new one in the garage, just in case but after cleanup the old one looks just like it.

by ScottandGrace on 10/29/2010, 4:30 am

My anode lasts a long time ~ about 3 years. Applying teflon tape does not negate the effect of the anode. I've checked for continuity with a meter while the tank is empty and it fine (zero ohms to ground).

by schrowang on 10/30/2010, 4:14 pm

ScottandGrace wrote:Applying teflon tape does not negate the effect of the anode. I've checked for continuity with a meter while the tank is empty and it fine (zero ohms to ground).

Scott,

Thanks for the info. yourock

by Mopar_Earl on 10/30/2010, 9:19 pm

I replace mine every two years as it looks nasty and looks like a good place for germs to make babies. Mine also eats away by the threaded end. I also use thread tape.

Earl

by Cardinal_Bill on 10/31/2010, 5:34 am

I'm on my third one, I could have waited on the last one. They last me 6 months of use, we lived in it half of each of the first 3 years we owned it. Now we're only using it about a month or two a year, half the time from June through August, so it'll last longer.

by Rich5117 on 10/31/2010, 9:28 am

Just pulled ours and it is really bad after one season of use. We still have one trip over Thanksgiving, so I'm going for a new one tomorrow.

I wonder if using a carbon water filter might affect the anode material. There are campgrounds in the Poconos that we went to that had water that smelled like sulfur so we put in a carbon filter took care of the problem. Of course maybe the water didn't help either.

by ScottandGrace on 10/31/2010, 3:21 pm

Thanks Mike.
When we lived in Ks, we bought a used TT and one of the first things I did was check the anode. There was nothing left of it but the metal plug!
I put in a new one and used the heater for years without any problem.

by desertcat on 10/31/2010, 3:27 pm

I always tape mine when it go back in. I had one that came form dealer, that I had to use a pull bar to get it out & retap the threads. to get the new one in.

by Rich5117 on 11/1/2010, 10:16 am

Just pick up a new anode rod, the directions for installation say to apply Teflon thread tape. They also say that a standard rod made of magnesium should last for one year, if it is deteriorating sooner there is an aluminum rod that reacts slower. The Suburban part number for the aluminum rod is #232768

by retired2 on 11/1/2010, 2:35 pm

We have used our anode rod for 3 seasons and have very little usage, about 3/4 inch at the end of the rod and a few pits along the rest of the rod. This is with at least 150 days of use. I have started using a thin layer of teflon putty instead of tape. It makes it a lot easier to start the anode rod. I do drain the hot water heater when not in use.

Desertcat, did you purchase from Myers? Tdhe threads on my rod and the heater were very rusty. Haven't had to retap, but have made heavy use of a wire brush. This is also why the liquid teflon is a help.

by Mopar_Earl on 11/1/2010, 4:56 pm

Rich5117 wrote:Just pick up a new anode rod, the directions for installation say to apply Teflon thread tape. They also say that a standard rod made of magnesium should last for one year, if it is deteriorating sooner there is an aluminum rod that reacts slower. The Suburban part number for the aluminum rod is #232768

Good info! I wouldn't go with the aluminum rod no matter how fast the standard magnesium rod eats away.

Could you post the Suburban number for the magnesium rod?

Earl

by Rich5117 on 11/2/2010, 4:59 am

The part number for the Magnesium Rod is #232767 The web site listed is www.rvcomfort.com

by grover on 11/2/2010, 5:50 am

Alright I'll be the first one to post this, I haven't had one in my rig since 07. I didn't really see a need for it, granted were not full timers and I don't leave water in the hot water tank in between camping trips I almost always drain the tank once I get back home. I've got just a plug in the hole. What's the advantage or dissadvantage of the rod.

by Sean on 11/2/2010, 8:53 am

My Cat is 2 years old and I am not sure if the Anode has ever been changed, so I have purchased a replacement one so that if it is eroded I can change it. When I had my Motor home I installed a new water heater, made by Suburban and it had a ceramic liner which is supposed to last longer. Is the ceramic liner an extra or is it standard now Question

Sean

by Mopar_Earl on 11/2/2010, 10:03 am

grover wrote:Alright I'll be the first one to post this, I haven't had one in my rig since 07. I didn't really see a need for it, granted were not full timers and I don't leave water in the hot water tank in between camping trips I almost always drain the tank once I get back home. I've got just a plug in the hole. What's the advantage or dissadvantage of the rod.

The anode rod is a sacrificial item for the bad things in the water to attack instead of the tank itself. I've never seen a water heater without an anode rod. Your water heater at home will have an anode rod.

Earl

by Frank on 11/2/2010, 3:11 pm

I pulled mine out today. It was in very shape. This is the second one for this 2005 5th wheel.

by Kim on 11/2/2010, 4:30 pm

I'm also like grover inasmuch as my last 2 units (1982 Vanguard TT and 1996 Terry 5W) never had anode rods for the 28 years that I owned them. Never had a problem...maybe it's the water in this area?? Mind you we did take them almost annually through Washington/Oregon/California/Nevada.

I actually had to ask a neighbour (he's an RV tech) what this thing was in my new WC. He said that in this area not to worry too much about it because the water is soft and pure. However, I will replace it when necessary anyway because it's not expensive and if it does save a little corrosion it's well worth it.

by retired2 on 11/2/2010, 5:12 pm

An Atwood hot water heater has no anode. It is a metal lined unit. We had an Argosy TT with an atwood water heater that lasted 28 years before leaking.

The suburban hot water heater is glass/ceramic lined and they come with an anode which, according to the manual, is to protect the lining and prolong life of the tank. We encounter a lot of hard water in our travels and the anode has not been consumed to any degree (less than an inch) in 3 seasons. I would assume that draining the tank after every trip has helped in extending the life of the anode.

by onetonford on 11/2/2010, 6:25 pm

Have a 1976 Four Winds Fifth wheel has no anode rod and never had a problem.
When I got the new wildcat Home noticed water condesation on inside of pass thru storage compartment door. Checked out and the problem was water leak on water heater anode Rod the last person to reinstall it after draining the water had crossed threaded it, It was only in about two threads I pulled it out and ran tap thru the tank ferrel and cleaned the threads on the anode rod put thread tape on it and made sure to hold it at right angle and walla screwed in about half way and tightened up with no leaks so make sure when reinstalling you lift it slightly up because the legnth of the rod tries to drop down causing it to cross. P.S. there was some coroding near the Plug. and it is not even 6 months old.

by BobnPi on 11/3/2010, 1:31 am

Just a little off topic here. Our computer programmer where I work and I had a discussion about the words "Hot Water Heater". He insisted that wording was incorrect and it should simply be "Water Heater" because the water coming in wasn't already "Hot". My point of view is: You only heat cold water once, when you first install the heater. From then on, it's kept in a range of degrees. Thus, you are trully heating the already hot water to a higher temperature.

It's like the glass half empty/half full deal. My view on that is: If you were filling the glass, then it's half full. If it was full and you took out half the contents, then it's half empty. I'm OCD that way.

lol!

by Sean on 11/7/2010, 7:10 am

Just change my Anode, the picture show erosion near the threaded end about 2 years old.[img]

[/img]
Sean

by Sean on 11/21/2010, 5:22 am

Is my water hard or what, after only being in my Cat for 2 weeks the Anode is already showing signs of corrsion, I am going to have to buy another spare.[img]

[/img]
Sean

Wildcat Owners from around the world. 5th wheels and TT's. A place to share your Thoughts, Mod's and Idea's.

How long does your Anode rod last?

How long does your Anode rod last?

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