removing anode rod after every trip?

[brainpause]

With our new camper, I'm wondering if I really need to follow manufacturer's instructions and take the anode rod out after EVERY trip and drain the water heater. On my camper, this is the only way to drain the water heater. What do you do? (Tried to find the answer on here using Search, but too tired to look deeply.)

Larry

[tlhdoc]

Larry I have lines under my PU that allow me to drain the water heater, without taking the anode rod out every time.  If that was the only way to drain my water heater I would remove it every trip.  If you leave the water in the tank you can end up with some nasty smelling/tasting water.

[brainpause]

Larry I have lines under my PU that allow me to drain the water heater, without taking the anode rod out every time.  If that was the only way to drain my water heater I would remove it every trip.  If you leave the water in the tank you can end up with some nasty smelling/tasting water.

Hmmm....Wish I could engineer something like that for mine.

Larry

[tlhdoc]

You could do it.  I have 2 lines coming down through the floor.  One is tapped into the water line entering the water heater and the other is tapped into the line exiting the water heater.  Open both at the end of a trip and the water will flow out of the bottom line, and air enters through the top line.

[tlhdoc]

Larry in my web shots album titles "My Pop Up Camper", page 4 shows the factory drain lines under my camper.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2410911100039762025bLXglP

[brainpause]

**Drilling holes in a new camper**

 :eyecrazy:  :yikes:

[tlhdoc]

**Drilling holes in a new camper**
 
:eyecrazy: :yikes:

Yes drilling holes in your new camper.  Let me stress, to do this to your "Ant" and not the other new camper.  You don't need extra holes it him or her.

[AustinBoston]

I left water in the hot water heater once.  Never, ever will make that mistake again.  Odor could cause reverse peristalsys (excuse spelling).

I only remove the anode rod once a year to inspect and/or replace it.

Some users may not have an anode rod; at least one manufacturer makes the tank with a non-metallic (glass) coating on the inside surface.

Austin

[beacher]

I take out the anode once a year, but I never "winterize".  I'm in CA!

[brainpause]

Well, I went to take the ding dang rod out tonight to drain the tank (to storage place about 10 miles up the road and hard to get to), and I can't get the ding dang anode rod out! Too much compound, I guess. Also, a 1-1/8" socket was too big, although it fit fine the other day, and a 1" socket was too small. Hmmmm....1-1/16"???

 :mad:

Not the way I want to start my relationship with my Antigua.

Larry

[SheBantam]

Well, I went to take the ding dang rod out tonight to drain the tank (to storage place about 10 miles up the road and hard to get to), and I can't get the ding dang anode rod out! Too much compound, I guess. Also, a 1-1/8" socket was too big, although it fit fine the other day, and a 1" socket was too small. Hmmmm....1-1/16"???

 :mad:

Not the way I want to start my relationship with my Antigua.

Larry

Larry (and Holly), I feel your pain...luckily both my trailers use a !" socket and I bought this neat thing that fits on the andle so the socket is more flexible...well not the socket, but the angle that can be reached.

One of the first things I have to do is flush the water heater as I know that I did not get it all out, first I add bleach to the water hose (VERY carefully) and sort of rinse out the whole system with a mild bleach water solution...they did that for cistrins in the old days, so if it good enough for hubby and gramps, then it should be good enough for my delicate self!!!

[wernstriumph]

Well, I went to take the ding dang rod out tonight to drain the tank (to storage place about 10 miles up the road and hard to get to), and I can't get the ding dang anode rod out! Too much compound, I guess. Also, a 1-1/8" socket was too big, although it fit fine the other day, and a 1" socket was too small. Hmmmm....1-1/16"???

 :mad:

Not the way I want to start my relationship with my Antigua.

Larry

I had the same problem, just tap it with a brass hammer a few times and the buildup will flake off. The 1-1/16" socket should be the right size. My anode rod has a built in drain plug in it( got it on ebay for a few more dollars than the regular one). We drain it after every trip, but only take the rod out at the end of the year.

[AustinBoston]

Well, I went to take the ding dang rod out tonight to drain the tank (to storage place about 10 miles up the road and hard to get to), and I can't get the ding dang anode rod out! Too much compound, I guess. Also, a 1-1/8" socket was too big, although it fit fine the other day, and a 1" socket was too small. Hmmmm....1-1/16"???

 :mad:

Not the way I want to start my relationship with my Antigua.

Larry

I use a combination of 1-1/16", 1/2" drive socket and a can of PB Blaster.  The purpose of a sacrificial anode is to prevent tank corrosion, and it does this by being the anode of a battery.  The "load" side of the "circuit" (yes, it does form a circuit) is the contact point where the anode rod plug screws into the tank.  That current tends to get the threads ot stick pretty good to each other.  Spray some PB Blaster (available at auto parts stores and several times better than WD-40) on the threads and give it an hour.  That puppy will come right out.

PB Blaster is not good for you and so you will want to rinse everything well afterwards.  Probably also tastes terrible.

Austin

[brainpause]

I use a combination of 1-1/16", 1/2" drive socket and a can of PB Blaster.  The purpose of a sacrificial anode is to prevent tank corrosion, and it does this by being the anode of a battery.  The "load" side of the "circuit" (yes, it does form a circuit) is the contact point where the anode rod plug screws into the tank.  That current tends to get the threads ot stick pretty good to each other.  Spray some PB Blaster (available at auto parts stores and several times better than WD-40) on the threads and give it an hour.  That puppy will come right out.

PB Blaster is not good for you and so you will want to rinse everything well afterwards.  Probably also tastes terrible.

Austin

After just a week I'll have to use PB Blaster? Sheesh...this water heater seems to be more trouble than it is worth.

 :mad:  :banghead:

PS: I don't have running water at its storage place, so PB isn't a great option. Nor is it an easy place to get to. I have to walk behind people's houses to get to it, and I don't want to get shot going there after dark. Guess this is just a little frustrating, but I guess I'll take it out as soon as a trip ends from now on. I didn't take it out last weekend simply because I had caulked the area and didn't want it to get wet.

Larry

[wynot]

After just a week I'll have to use PB Blaster? Sheesh...this water heater seems to be more trouble than it is worth.
 
:mad: :banghead:
 
PS: I don't have running water at its storage place, so PB isn't a great option. Nor is it an easy place to get to. I have to walk behind people's houses to get to it, and I don't want to get shot going there after dark. Guess this is just a little frustrating, but I guess I'll take it out as soon as a trip ends from now on. I didn't take it out last weekend simply because I had caulked the area and didn't want it to get wet.
 
Larry

Judging from this discussion - I am totally opposite.  I leave the water in the hot water tank between trips, because it adds another 6 gals of weight to the front of the Utah.  I may empty the water heater when I get home, but not usually.  I pull the anode once a year without any penetrating oil or equivalent.
 
In 5 years, we haven't had funky smells, strange growths, rust out, dysentery, or anything else.
 
Larry, either put a set of drain cocks on the lines if you want to drain the tank, add a smidge of bleach to the water before you shut your water off at the campsite, or take your chances like we do.  I think you guys get out a decent amount, so the water shouldn't be in there a real long time.