RE: Anode Rod Results

[6Quigs]

 
We now have been the owners of our Popup for 24 months.
 For the first 12 months, I never drained my hot water heater, as the most we ever went between camping trips, was 8 weeks.
 Then in August last year I replaced the Anode rod in the water heater, and I was surprised how much it had corroded.
 Well after discussion on this board, for the next 12 months I always drained the water heater between camping trips, and today took out the Anode rod to check it.
 I was amazed how little it had corroded.
 Here is a photo of the two Anode rods.
 http://community.webshots.com/photo/84140146/84140633FouqZg
 
 Thanks to the people on this board for saving me the cost of a new anode rod[]

[Ab Diver]

 6Quigs
Kev, you got it all wrong, Buddy.... you were saved the cost of a new WATER HEATER. That s an extra 400 bucks you got burning a hole in your pocket now.[]
 
 (hey everybody, Kev s buying the beer at the next rally!)
 
 Another shining example of Mr. Gore s baby letting all us little people help each other. Your post should be required reading for all newbies, and be a permanent addition to a pop-up *F.A.Q.*, Kevin.

[tlhdoc]

 6Quigs
Wow what a difference.  I have always drained the water heater at the end of each trip and now I am really glad that I did.

[griffsmom]

 6Quigs
Hey Kev,
 
 Our dealer told us that it was better to always drain the water heater tank so we always have.  Thanks for performing your scientific study and making me feel good once again about the reliability and integrity of our dealer! []

[SactoCampers]

 6Quigs
Okay, I admit I ve never done it. Well, actually I ve tried it by pumping it out of the hot water faucet. But then again, I ve never been able to find it on mine. Maybe Vanguard uses an anode-less water heater? Someone promise me at the Yosemite Rally to help me find the anode rod and/or how to drain my water heater. I would rather not carry the six gallons of water around. I can find the pressure relief valve but not the anode rod. Anybody have any thoughts?
 
 (I ll still take whatever beer Kevin s bringing to Yosemite Lakes)

[Jeffrey]

 6Quigs
Sacto,
 
 Look in the bottom left corner, next to where the gas line comes in.
 And kinda behind the box with the control dial on it.
 
 There should be a " white plastic nut type plug thingy" .
 I think that s where it would be if we had one. But I don t think we do?
 
 I honestly have never taken the " white plastic nut type plug thingy"  off.
 If you decide to take yours off. Let me know if there is a Anode rod on it. LOL[]
 
 I drain mine from the inside every trip. I have never needed to remove that plug. And I have never had a problem, So I leave it alone.[]

[6Quigs]

 Jeffrey
Sacto,
 This is from Tim 5055 s website.
 Scroll to the bottom of the page, and he has photos of his water heater, and the actual removal of the anode rod in process[]
 
 http://www.title-3.com/Winterize.htm
 
 Either way, remind me at Yosemite, and we will take it out, and if it badly corroded, we will swop it for SCCS s when he is asleep[]
 

[SactoCampers]

 Jeffrey

 

I drain mine from the inside every trip. I have never needed to remove that plug. And I have never had a problem, So I leave it alone.[]
 

 Actually, I think we ve been over this before: You tried to tell me where the valve was to empty the tank, and I tried to look for it, but never got back to you to tell you I couldn t find it. I ended up pulling a valve here and a valve there, but no water released to the ground. Oh well, the case of the mysterious non-emptying water heater [&:]. So, unless you can send me a picture with a big huge arrow pointing right to the valve, I don t know if I ll ever find it. Thanks in advance if you do! [][]
 

[SactoCampers]

 6Quigs

 

ORIGINAL:  6Quigs
 
 Sacto,
 This is from Tim 5055 s website.
 Scroll to the bottom of the page, and he has photos of his water heater, and the actual removal of the anode rod in process[]
 
 http://www.title-3.com/Winterize.htm
 
 Either way, remind me at Yosemite, and we will take it out, and if it badly corroded, we will swop it for SCCS s when he is asleep[]
 
 

 
 Thanks Kev for the link. After further review, I ve concluded my water heater don t look like that. I only have the pressure relief valve. So if I If I forget to remind you, at Yosemite remember to remind me to remind you so we can at least figure out how to empty my hot water tank.

[AustinBoston]

 6Quigs
You may NOT HAVE an anode rod.  
 
 If the inner surface of the tank is metallic, you need an anode rod to keep the tank from being eaten away by the stuff in the water.  With the anode rod, the anode rod is eaten away and trace amounts of metal are deposited on the tank lining.
 
 But some tanks (almost all home HWH s and some RV type HWH s) have a glass liner that protects the tank so that the metal parts never actually touch the water.  No water contact, no corrosion.
 
 I know Suburban HWH s need an anode rod, but I don t know about other brands.
 
 Austin

[PopupSgt]

 6Quigs
I have a posing question, what is the easiest way to drain the hwh after every trip.  My Jayco doesn t have a drain to drain the tank & what I usually do is turn the pump on & open the outside shr hwr vlv until the running wtr stops.  I have many pu owners look at my camper & there are NO lines at the rear that allow the draining of the system.  So if anyone has a similar type setup as I do could you please let me know how to drain my htr or do I have to remove the the darn plastic plug each time.  Thanks []

[Camping Coxes]

 Jeffrey

There should be a " white plastic nut type plug thingy" .

 Wow, I thought I was the only one that came up with these highly technical descriptions of parts [].  And this came from a male type person!

[Red neff Barchetta]

 6Quigs
Kevin -
 Thanks for the report on your findings!
 Those are 2 very different results.
 I ll be sure to empty the WH after every trip now.  I ve only been doing it lately if the PU was going to sit for more than 3 weeks between trips.