Water Heater Anode Rod

[michael_h]

Q. Do I need an anode rod in an Atwood Water Heater?

A. No. Your Atwood Water Heater is made of a special aluminum alloy that does not require the use of an anode rod. Even though there are people who may tell you an anode rod is required you should not use one in our product it can actually harm the tank and would not be beneficial. If you are under warranty adding an anode rod will void your warranty.


Any other thoughts?

[roadglide]

That was interesting . I removed the anode and installed a 3/8 ball valve with a hoes and drain it after every trip.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by roadglide

That was interesting . I removed the anode and installed a 3/8 ball valve with a hoes and drain it after every trip.

If you have a Suburban water heater then you need an anode rod to prevent corrosion of the tank liner. Atwood water heaters do no need an anode rod..

[GaryWT]

Was there some question about these water heaters?

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by michael_h

Q. Do I need an anode rod in an Atwood Water Heater?

A. No. Your Atwood Water Heater is made of a special aluminum alloy that does not require the use of an anode rod. Even though there are people who may tell you an anode rod is required you should not use one in our product it can actually harm the tank and would not be beneficial. If you are under warranty adding an anode rod will void your warranty.


Any other thoughts?

Asked and answered your own question .... I don't understand????

If you have an Atwood water heater you do not need an anode. (as you quoted from their manual. )
If you have a Suburban water heater you do need one as the Suburban manual tells you.
This is why manufacturers supply manuals with their products.

[roadglide]

Originally Posted by roadglide

That was interesting . I removed the anode and installed a 3/8 ball valve with a hoes and drain it after every trip.

I have the suburban water heater and feel more comfortable draining it then have all that crap from the anode floating around inside my tank.

[bobbecky]

With a Suburban water heater, you have a glass lined steel tank. The anode is your only chance to protect the tank from failing. The glass lining will eventually develop cracks that will expose the steel to the water. The sacrificial anode will help prevent the steel from corroding and ultimately leaking. Even if you drain between uses, you will lose the tank without an anode.

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

With a Suburban water heater, you have a glass lined steel tank. The anode is your only chance to protect the tank from failing. The glass lining will eventually develop cracks that will expose the steel to the water. The sacrificial anode will help prevent the steel from corroding and ultimately leaking. Even if you drain between uses, you will lose the tank without an anode.

Hi bobbecky, I'm a little confused when you say that the glass lining will eventually crack. So does that mean that one day with all these cracks will the glass eventually fall apart and the tank will fail completely?

[roadglide]

Here is another question Bobbecky my parents gave me a 1972 nomad trailer the water heater never had anode. The water heater was plugged at the drain but worked fine and didn't leak what made the old water heaters superior over today technology? I have researched this topic else where from space engineers with knowledge ,they say the same thing use a anode or louse your sunbeam water heater. Thank you for the answer.

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by roadglide

Here is another question Bobbecky my parents gave me a 1972 nomad trailer the water heater never had anode. The water heater was plugged at the drain but worked fine and didn't leak what made the old water heaters superior over today technology? I have researched this topic else where from space engineers with knowledge ,they say the same thing use a anode or louse your sunbeam water heater. Thank you for the answer.

I'm not familiar with the Sunbeam water heater but if it has an aluminum lined tank, it doesn't need an anode. The same applies to an Atwood tank - no anode required.

Some tanks require an anode - some don't. It's really not all that complicated nor is it "rocket science".

Depending upon the construction of the Sunbeam water heater, it may or may not need an anode - despite what the space engineers say.

(Never heard of a Sunbeam water heater in an RV but it's quite possible).

[roadglide]

Yup Suburban not sunbeam misspelled that. the old nomad RV had aluminum tank for hot water heater.

[bobbecky]

The glass lining is actually a porcelain coating. The material is applied to the inside of the tank and then fired, which turns it into a glass material. There is always the possibility that there will be pin holes in the finish, and with use, the tank expands and contracts, which can cause fine cracks in the glass finish. Replacement of an anode on an annual interval is cheap insurance. The white material that you flush out each time you install a new anode is harmless and normally does not make it's way into the plumbing. The choice is entirely up to you, but it is just a friendly suggestion that following the manufacturer's maintenance schedule is wise, compared to the cost of replacing a failed water heater.

[Exsailor]

Originally Posted by hankpage

Asked and answered your own question .... I don't understand????

If you have an Atwood water heater you do not need an anode. (as you quoted from their manual. )
If you have a Suburban water heater you do need one as the Suburban manual tells you.
This is why manufacturers supply manuals with their products.

Wow, condescending much? Some of us don't live in or for our RVs and have questions which might seem elementary. I thought this sight was for an open dialog?

[Exsailor]

Kinda wondering if I should ask some other questions but don't want to be belittled for my lack of knowledge

[ImTravis]

Originally Posted by Exsailor

Kinda wondering if I should ask some other questions but don't want to be belittled for my lack of knowledge

Don't let one bad response discourage you. Just remember for every bad response, there's plenty of good responses. I'm sure there are others with the same questions.




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[old timer]

I just replaced mine and it was almost completely gone. I flushed lots of white stuff out of the tank. Ready to go again.

[jsmith948]

Originally Posted by Exsailor

Kinda wondering if I should ask some other questions but don't want to be belittled for my lack of knowledge

I don't think the OP was being belittled, but, he DID answer his own question. I get that he was looking for opinions/confirmation. I believe a sense of humor would be of some benefit here