Title: Water Heater & Security
Post by: rbgatti on Apr 03, 2006, 12:39 PM
Post by: rbgatti on Apr 03, 2006, 12:39 PM
Hi, I have a quick question and also looking for some advice.
Question: As part of de-winterizing our new PU, I'm planning on installing the anode rod back into the water heater. As a rule, does this stay installed until the end of the season? If the answer is dependant on frequency of use, what is a good rule of thumb? We have camping dates set-up all season 2-3 weeks apart.
Advice: I have always been a security minded individual and I know PUs are the furthest thing from secure if someone wanted to get in. But, I'm looking for something a little more secure than a screen door lock that, if wiggled the right way, will open when locked. Does anyone have any ideas for the door? Outside hasp/padlock? Inside alarm? Inside slide bolt (for at night)?
Thanks!
P.S. Our 1st trip is planed for May 6th in Odetah in Connecticut! Can't wait!
Question: As part of de-winterizing our new PU, I'm planning on installing the anode rod back into the water heater. As a rule, does this stay installed until the end of the season? If the answer is dependant on frequency of use, what is a good rule of thumb? We have camping dates set-up all season 2-3 weeks apart.
Advice: I have always been a security minded individual and I know PUs are the furthest thing from secure if someone wanted to get in. But, I'm looking for something a little more secure than a screen door lock that, if wiggled the right way, will open when locked. Does anyone have any ideas for the door? Outside hasp/padlock? Inside alarm? Inside slide bolt (for at night)?
Thanks!
P.S. Our 1st trip is planed for May 6th in Odetah in Connecticut! Can't wait!
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Post by: vjm1639 on Apr 03, 2006, 01:03 PM
Post by: vjm1639 on Apr 03, 2006, 01:03 PM
With velcro holding the door in, I'm not thinking any "lock" is going to make a difference. How about a loud dog? :>
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Post by: beacher on Apr 03, 2006, 02:15 PM
Post by: beacher on Apr 03, 2006, 02:15 PM
It's a tent on a box, on a trailer. No security. No more than can be expected in a nice freestanding tent.
Now, if you really feel you need security, then private RVParks, or RVResorts with on-site roving security guards are probably what you need.
You can always add motion detectors, and door-knob motion siren alarms. But if one of those goes off, it's already too late!
I feel that if you have issues with security while camping, it's always best to watch a few bloody horror movies before the trip! You know, the movies where the young couple in the tent gets hacked to bits. It's either a guy with a hocky mask, a jack o lantern head, some space alien or predator, or a little angry puppet! :D ;) Then, when you get to camp, just stay away from those types of characters. You will generally be just fine! :D
Now, if you really feel you need security, then private RVParks, or RVResorts with on-site roving security guards are probably what you need.
You can always add motion detectors, and door-knob motion siren alarms. But if one of those goes off, it's already too late!
I feel that if you have issues with security while camping, it's always best to watch a few bloody horror movies before the trip! You know, the movies where the young couple in the tent gets hacked to bits. It's either a guy with a hocky mask, a jack o lantern head, some space alien or predator, or a little angry puppet! :D ;) Then, when you get to camp, just stay away from those types of characters. You will generally be just fine! :D
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Post by: jonathan on Apr 03, 2006, 04:08 PM
Post by: jonathan on Apr 03, 2006, 04:08 PM
Quote from: vjm1639With velcro holding the door in, I'm not thinking any "lock" is going to make a difference. How about a loud dog? :>
:D! I agree! Why lock the door when a physcopath wielding a machete will come through the canvass anway?
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Post by: tlhdoc on Apr 03, 2006, 05:32 PM
Post by: tlhdoc on Apr 03, 2006, 05:32 PM
As for security, there isn't any. Anyone can cut the tenting and be in.
The anode rod has to be in the water heater to use it. I don't take mine out except for the end of the season to check how much of it is left. I also drain my water tank before towing. I do this with the factory valves that are under my PU. I have a picture of the valves under the floor in my webshots account in the album called "My PU Camper".:)
The anode rod has to be in the water heater to use it. I don't take mine out except for the end of the season to check how much of it is left. I also drain my water tank before towing. I do this with the factory valves that are under my PU. I have a picture of the valves under the floor in my webshots account in the album called "My PU Camper".:)
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Post by: wavery on Apr 03, 2006, 06:39 PM
Post by: wavery on Apr 03, 2006, 06:39 PM
"physcopath wielding a machete" deterrent.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/wkavery/Squirtgun.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/wkavery/Squirtgun.jpg)
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Post by: dthurk on Apr 03, 2006, 08:31 PM
Post by: dthurk on Apr 03, 2006, 08:31 PM
Quote from: wavery"physcopath wielding a machete" deterrent.
Looks like it shoots water.
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Post by: Kelly on Apr 03, 2006, 08:39 PM
Post by: Kelly on Apr 03, 2006, 08:39 PM
Quote from: dthurkLooks like it shoots water.
Wayne posted it ~ of course it shoots water. :D
I figure my stuff's insured and if someone wants it that badly ~ they can have it. It's just stuff.
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Post by: wavery on Apr 03, 2006, 09:00 PM
Post by: wavery on Apr 03, 2006, 09:00 PM
Quote from: KellyWayne posted it ~ of course it shoots water. :DI agree........don't bring anything with that you can't live without.
I figure my stuff's insured and if someone wants it that badly ~ they can have it. It's just stuff.
Although, in reality that doesn't work either. It's not really what they steal. It's the fact that someone has violated your space that is so upsetting.
In all of the years (14) that I sailed to 57 different countries, I was only broken into one time. Believe it or not, it was in New Zealand. I've been to some pretty retched places on this planet (like Haiti) and that was the LAST place that I ever thought that I would have that problem. All they stole was a boom box radio that I couldn't care less about but boy what an awful feeling to know that someone has broken in an stolen from you.
I never dreamed that I would be so effected by something like that. I rather expected it in some of the places that we visited. In reality, the poorer the country, the less likely we were to have a robbery.
---------------------------
Oh ya..........................it's a squirt gun :D
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Post by: brainpause on Apr 03, 2006, 10:11 PM
Post by: brainpause on Apr 03, 2006, 10:11 PM
Note from the moderators:
Be careful about this topic. Guns are off limits (I know it is a water gun).
Larry
Be careful about this topic. Guns are off limits (I know it is a water gun).
Larry
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Post by: wavery on Apr 03, 2006, 11:59 PM
Post by: wavery on Apr 03, 2006, 11:59 PM
Quote from: brainpauseNote from the moderators:
Be careful about this topic. Guns are off limits (I know it is a water gun).
Larry
OOOOPS!! Sorry :(
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Post by: AustinBoston on Apr 04, 2006, 07:27 AM
Post by: AustinBoston on Apr 04, 2006, 07:27 AM
Quote from: wavery"physcopath wielding a machete" deterrent.
Too late changing the image after it's already been quoted! ;)
Austin
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Post by: wavery on Apr 04, 2006, 09:16 AM
Post by: wavery on Apr 04, 2006, 09:16 AM
Quote from: AustinBostonToo late changing the image after it's already been quoted! ;)Ya.......I know.......but at least I tried :)
Austin
It was meant as an attempt at satirical humor in response to the "Psychopath weilding machete" :p
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Post by: keeperdog on Apr 04, 2006, 09:48 AM
Post by: keeperdog on Apr 04, 2006, 09:48 AM
We can talk about psycopath's weilding machete's but we can't talk about guns?
Not sure I understand that. Forgive me if this is the cardinal sin, but what is the reason we can't talk about guns? Just too controversial topic? I am still a newbie here so somebody slap me if I am out of line.
Not sure I understand that. Forgive me if this is the cardinal sin, but what is the reason we can't talk about guns? Just too controversial topic? I am still a newbie here so somebody slap me if I am out of line.
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Post by: wavery on Apr 04, 2006, 10:15 AM
Post by: wavery on Apr 04, 2006, 10:15 AM
Quote from: keeperdogWe can talk about psycopath's weilding machete's but we can't talk about guns?I really don't know but I would imagine that it is just not appropriate on a camping forum. I can see where it could emerge into some pretty heated conversation as well. It was probably a decision made by the owner of the site and may well be buried in the rules somewhere.
Not sure I understand that. Forgive me if this is the cardinal sin, but what is the reason we can't talk about guns? Just too controversial topic? I am still a newbie here so somebody slap me if I am out of line.
At any rate, it is the right of the owner of the website to set rules and it has nothing to do with "Free speech rights". :D
As far as the "psychopath's wielding machete's" goes........In the famous words of Foghorn, "It's a joke son..........it's only a joke". :D
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Post by: keeperdog on Apr 04, 2006, 01:35 PM
Post by: keeperdog on Apr 04, 2006, 01:35 PM
As a good friend of mine who runs a similar board on a totally unrelatedtopic, it is not a democracy and he who rules, makes the rules. ;)
It just seemed unusual to me, growing up where I did, we did a lot of hunting and target shooting. It was the uncommon house that didn't have a few implements designed for that purpose in it. :) :)
I understand the rule, if not the why, and I will definitely abide by it. Thanks for responding, Wavery.
It just seemed unusual to me, growing up where I did, we did a lot of hunting and target shooting. It was the uncommon house that didn't have a few implements designed for that purpose in it. :) :)
I understand the rule, if not the why, and I will definitely abide by it. Thanks for responding, Wavery.
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Post by: keeperdog on Apr 04, 2006, 01:35 PM
Post by: keeperdog on Apr 04, 2006, 01:35 PM
As a good friend of mine who runs a similar board on a totally unrelated topic, it is not a democracy and he who rules, makes the rules. ;)
It just seemed unusual to me, growing up where I did, we did a lot of hunting and target shooting. It was the uncommon house that didn't have a few implements designed for that purpose in it. :) :)
I understand the rule, if not the why, and I will definitely abide by it. Thanks for responding, Wavery.
It just seemed unusual to me, growing up where I did, we did a lot of hunting and target shooting. It was the uncommon house that didn't have a few implements designed for that purpose in it. :) :)
I understand the rule, if not the why, and I will definitely abide by it. Thanks for responding, Wavery.
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Post by: keeperdog on Apr 04, 2006, 01:36 PM
Post by: keeperdog on Apr 04, 2006, 01:36 PM
In the words of a good friend of mine who runs a similar board on a totally unrelated topic, "It is not a democracy and he who rules, makes the rules". ;)
It just seemed unusual to me, growing up where I did, we did a lot of hunting and target shooting. It was the uncommon house that didn't have a few implements designed for that purpose in it. :) :)
I understand the rule, if not the why, and I will definitely abide by it. Thanks for responding, Wavery.
It just seemed unusual to me, growing up where I did, we did a lot of hunting and target shooting. It was the uncommon house that didn't have a few implements designed for that purpose in it. :) :)
I understand the rule, if not the why, and I will definitely abide by it. Thanks for responding, Wavery.
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Post by: SherryandFamily on Apr 04, 2006, 02:51 PM
Post by: SherryandFamily on Apr 04, 2006, 02:51 PM
What we do is leave the TV or radio on if we leave. I believe that gives the impression someone is in the camper.
So far the only thing we have had stolen is beer left in DH's cooler while we slept!
Sherry
So far the only thing we have had stolen is beer left in DH's cooler while we slept!
Sherry
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Post by: kampingkoge on Apr 05, 2006, 12:35 PM
Post by: kampingkoge on Apr 05, 2006, 12:35 PM
To get back on subject ..... lol
The Anode rods are inexpensive, 9.99 for Surburban furnaces. I always drain my hot water tank after each use, even if the next trip is only 2-3 weeks out. It's quick to drain, I drain by pulling out the anode rod. Then I put it back in and it is all set for the next trip ... just remember to add teflon tape to the threads to prevent leakage when you next use it. I bought my camper last June and the rod has quite a bit of it worn away already, so I picked up a spare to have when I need to replace it. I imagine a replacement may be needed at least every other season (maybe every season depending on use).
The Anode rods are inexpensive, 9.99 for Surburban furnaces. I always drain my hot water tank after each use, even if the next trip is only 2-3 weeks out. It's quick to drain, I drain by pulling out the anode rod. Then I put it back in and it is all set for the next trip ... just remember to add teflon tape to the threads to prevent leakage when you next use it. I bought my camper last June and the rod has quite a bit of it worn away already, so I picked up a spare to have when I need to replace it. I imagine a replacement may be needed at least every other season (maybe every season depending on use).
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Post by: tlhdoc on Apr 05, 2006, 05:45 PM
Post by: tlhdoc on Apr 05, 2006, 05:45 PM
I replaced my anode rod after 6 years of use, and I really could have waited another year or two. There was still a bit of the rod left.:)
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Post by: griffsmom on Apr 05, 2006, 06:05 PM
Post by: griffsmom on Apr 05, 2006, 06:05 PM
Quote from: keeperdogWe can talk about psycopath's weilding machete's but we can't talk about guns?No need to slap you, unless you're into that sort of thing. ;) I've been a member of PUT for more than four years now, and in that time span, every single time the topic of guns or weapons for defense of our PUs was brought up, it became a very heated, if not outright hostile, topic. PUT initially tried to let people discuss the issue intelligently and in an adult manner, giving warnings when things were on the brink, but it always deteriorated into bile and vitriole being spit back and forth. So the easiest thing was to just ban the topic altogether. There are many, many other sites out there where people can discuss the topic, if they so chose, and PUT felt that this didn't need to be one of them.
Not sure I understand that. Forgive me if this is the cardinal sin, but what is the reason we can't talk about guns? Just too controversial topic? I am still a newbie here so somebody slap me if I am out of line.
Dave/Larry/Tim--feel free to correct me if my interpretation of past events is faulty. :)
As for the anode rod question, we leave ours in the tank in perpetuity. But we do drain the water heater after each trip to try to lengthen the life of the rod. In any event, they're not very expensive for when you do need to replace it.
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Post by: flyfisherman on Apr 05, 2006, 06:45 PM
Post by: flyfisherman on Apr 05, 2006, 06:45 PM
What I do is if I want a lot of hot water is to fill the pot full; if I just need a so so amount, I heat just a so so amount. To date I've not been able to find any anode rods in that pot to change out, so will just have to continue heating water as is.
As for security ... if I precieve anyone as a threat, I simply get out my fly rod and challenge them to a fencing duel. To date there have been no takers.
Fly
p.s. I did have a racoon hiss at me awhile back when I tried to shoo him/her/it away ... would not leave until it got it's cut!
As for security ... if I precieve anyone as a threat, I simply get out my fly rod and challenge them to a fencing duel. To date there have been no takers.
Fly
p.s. I did have a racoon hiss at me awhile back when I tried to shoo him/her/it away ... would not leave until it got it's cut!