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Old 10-26-2020, 03:05 AM   #1
Rich R
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Anode Rod

What is the expected life span of an anode rod? This one is less than 2 years old? https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...1&d=1603710303
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Old 10-26-2020, 03:14 AM   #2
QCMan
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Wow you did well! That is usually a check every six months and replace annually as needed.
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Old 10-26-2020, 03:16 AM   #3
Rich R
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Wow you did well! That is usually a check every six months and replace annually as needed.
Wasn't aware they wore out that fast.
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Old 10-26-2020, 04:44 AM   #4
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Rich, we RV with a fairly large number of people and it might surprise you to know that very few even know to change it. I replace ours every year at the same time I change the two water filters.
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Old 10-26-2020, 05:24 AM   #5
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I've had one last for 4 years, but there are just 2 of us and we are weekend warriors....
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Old 10-26-2020, 05:26 AM   #6
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The hardness of the water is what causes anode to wear out.. and that’s what you want. It’s sacrificing itself instead of the water heater.. also it’s just smart to remove anode at least twice a year to drain and flush junk out of bottom of tank and retape anode rod threads with Teflon tape.

The pieces of anode rod that dissolve and fall to bottom of tank can.. in time..plug the hot water outlet side check valve at tank fitting and then you have no hot water.

An aluminum anode rod is also available for hard water but I’d stay with the OEM magnesium style
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Old 10-26-2020, 05:29 AM   #7
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ChuckS. My new TT doesn't need an anode, but I was wondering if it would hurt to put one in or would it just be a waste of money?
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Old 10-26-2020, 05:34 AM   #8
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ChuckS. My new TT doesn't need an anode, but I was wondering if it would hurt to put one in or would it just be a waste of money?
If it didn’t come with one from the factory then you don’t need to put one in, Save your money.
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Old 10-26-2020, 08:50 AM   #9
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Thanks! ……….
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Old 10-26-2020, 08:55 AM   #10
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Referencing the OP's photo, the anode rod in his post is "perfectly fine for continued use". It appears, from the photo that only the part of the anode nearest the threads is compromised. The rest of the anode rod appears to be "very close to still 100%"...

Here are a couple of diagrams from previous Suburban Owner's Manuals depicting when to change the anode rod. Note that even with 50% of the sacrificial metal gone, the anode rods are still protecting the water heater tank lining. Suburban recommends replacing at 75% depleted, the third drawing in each of these diagrams.
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Old 10-26-2020, 09:03 AM   #11
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You do not need to change it until you see the bare metal rod in the middle. Actually, it's good until the entire rod is completely bare and the only thing left is the metal in the middle. You can probably get, at least, another year out of that one in the photo.
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Old 10-26-2020, 12:20 PM   #12
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I've had one last for 4 years, but there are just 2 of us and we are weekend warriors....

Ditto ^^^^^^^^^
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Old 10-26-2020, 07:36 PM   #13
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Mine after three seasons.

I recently checked the anode in my home water heater. It's 16 years old and the anode is still going strong.

It all depends on the water where you are.
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Old 10-26-2020, 07:59 PM   #14
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When the threads get rusted it makes it tough to get it to screw in. Its a small space to work to get it started. Good idea of replacing it every year, thanks!
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Old 10-27-2020, 06:02 AM   #15
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I’ve had rods get eaten up in a year when going exclusively to RV parks. When connected at my house, the water line comes from a water softener, after two years it’s like brand new. We’ve only been dry camping the past two years so all of the water used in my RV has come from the water softener.
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Old 10-27-2020, 08:32 AM   #16
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I had the rv water softener while traveling full-time & anodes would last well over 2 years using the water heater daily.
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Old 10-27-2020, 09:18 AM   #17
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Sacrificial anode rod deterioration rate is strictly dependent upon the mineral content of the water. The lower the mineral content the longer it will last.

If this is the first time it has been removed then I suggest flushing the tank with clean water to remove all the debris at the bottom of the tank. If reinstalling the anode clean up the threads both on the anode and on the tank with a wire brush. Wrap the threads of the anode with teflon tape but don't go wild with it. Two full wraps is plenty or use some pipe dope on the threads.

When installing the anode be careful not to cross thread as it can be difficult to hold it straight with the weight of the anode hanging on the end.
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Old 11-01-2020, 12:01 PM   #18
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Because they are so inexpensive (on Amazon) I was buying 2 at a time and just replacing it every year when I de-winterized. I inspect the anode rod and flush the HW heater in the fall when I winterize, but after reading this thread I'm going to change my ways. I've been tossing them out way too early.

Thanks Guys
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Old 11-01-2020, 01:29 PM   #19
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Quote:
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what is the expected life span of an anode rod? This one is less than 2 years old? https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...1&d=1603710303
many years left in that one!
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Old 11-05-2020, 08:50 AM   #20
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Referencing the OP's photo, the anode rod in his post is "perfectly fine for continued use". It appears, from the photo that only the part of the anode nearest the threads is compromised. The rest of the anode rod appears to be "very close to still 100%"...
I sure hope people pay attention to your post, the photo is 100% correct. There is a metal rod that runs down the middle of the entire rod.... just because it wears near the threaded end, the rest of it isn't about to fall off into the tank. OPs photo has about 1% of wear.

Far too often people are replacing their anode rods WAY too early. These things will last years, even with crazy water. Stop wasting your money and throwing out a good product.

As for the rusty threads comment Jim2366, put some Teflon tape on the threads.
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