RE: Hott Rod

[notrailends]

 
I was thinking of installing a
 hott rod in the pop up did anybody do this and was it worth it ,
 did it install easily? Thanks for the feed back

[Tim5055]

 notrailends
The aftermarket heating elements such as the Hott Rod are not recommended by the manufacturer of your hot water heater (either Atwood or Surburban).
 
 
 Specifically from the Atwood Web Site:
 
 

The use of manufacturer?s aftermarket heating element devices may also result in damage to components or water heater. Atwood s written warranty states - failure or damage resulting from any alteration to our water heater is the owner s responsibility. Any alteration, like the addition of an aftermarket heating element device, will void the warranty.
 
 AFTERMARKET HEATING ELEMENTS
 
 Temperatures produced by these heating elements can exceed the 180§F. limit of the ECO on pilot model gas control valves. This gas control valve contains a one-shot ECO. When this ECO blows, the control is completely non-functional and must be replaced. This will be a non-warrantable situation.  When Aftermarket heating elements are inserted into the drain plug, customers are more prone not to flush
 their tanks. Not flushing the tank accelerates tank corrosion on both our pilot and electronic ignition water heaters creating a situation where the tank may have to be replaced. This will be a non-warrantable situation.  If you have any questions, please contact the Atwood Service Department at 1-800-825-4328.

 
 If you would like to read it yourself, go to [link=http://www.atwoodmobile.com/Service/Info/default.htm]THIS PAGE[/link], then click on the link titled " After Market Heating Element"  under the water heater topic.
 
 
 
 Now, if you have a Surburban water heater they have this to say:
 
 

I noticed an add-on electric element for my water heater. What will happen if I use it?
 
 Answer:
 Any alterations to a Suburban water heater will void its warranty. This includes add-on electric aftermarket heating elements. There are a number of heating elements being offered. These elements are supplied with different types of thermostats which are mounted in various locations of the water heater. These heating elements can lack critical safety controls. Use of these devices can lead to an out of control heating of the water tank and a catastrophic wet side explosion. The use of these aftermarket heating element devices may result in damage to components or the water heater. When aftermarket heating elements are inserted into the anode rod/drain connection, tank life is shortened by accelerating inner tank corrosion. This will be a non-warrantable situation.
 

 
 If you want to read this one, go to [link=http://www.rvcomfort.com/html/suburban/service/waterheaters/questions.html#Anchor-Question-30049]THIS PAGE[/link] and read question #6.
 

[notrailends]

 notrailends
WOW  I did not even think of that
 Thankyou very much. This is the reason why I joined this board[]