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Old 10-03-2009, 11:31 AM   #1
bennydog
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water heater question

What is the purpose of the anode? This water heater has one but the last 2 did not, different manufactures. Suburban vs Atwood. Dose not having in installed really shorten the live of the tank that much?
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Old 10-03-2009, 11:46 AM   #2
Festus2
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The anode serves as a "sacrificial zinc" in the Suburban water heater so that the tank does not get "eaten" away by the chemical reaction that takes place within the tank. The liner or tank material in the Suburban is made from a material that will corrode if the anode were not there. The anode gets eaten away instead of the tank. If you have a Suburban heater, you need an anode which should be checked on a regular basis and replaced when necessary. In some areas where the water is heavily mineralized, it will corrode faster.

In the Atwood, the tank is made from a different material and does not require the use of an anode since there is no chemical reaction taking place between the tank liner and the water.

I hope this answers your question.
Richard
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Old 10-03-2009, 12:20 PM   #3
bennydog
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It does...I want my Atwood back, trying to get the anode out is a real pain. With the Atwood I replaced the drain plug with a petcock that I could just open with my fingers when it was time to drain. Now I got go buy a bigger socket. No wait buying a new tool.....that's a good thing
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Old 10-03-2009, 03:33 PM   #4
sbebenelli
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I believe you can buy a anode drain plug with a petcock. Can't remember where I saw them at though.
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Old 10-04-2009, 04:45 PM   #5
bennydog
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Talking

If you stumble across the source of the petcock configured anode would you post it please. I've taken to draining the hot water heater if the time between trips is more than 3 or 4 weeks. I was blowing the water lines out this weekend (first time for this trailer) as the over night temps are forecast to get into the lower 30's. I stopped paying attention and unscrewed the anode with the system pressurized to 40 psi and the darn thing shot about 15 feet away. Sure glad I was not in front of it when it let loose though I did get quite wet. Note to self....be sure you release the pressure before removing anode. Petcock would have just got me wet.
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Old 10-04-2009, 06:42 PM   #6
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Try this one Bennydog -- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RV-Ca...Q5fAccessories

Here's a before and after picture of the anode new and spent

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