Water Heater Drain Plug?

[webslave]

Originally Posted by dakingsella

I'm confused. My drain plug is connected to an anode rode. My manual says I should replace the anode rod once a year. I assumed this was standard on all water heaters. What am I missing here?

IIRC, Suburbans have the anode rod/plug combo. Atwoods use just the nylon plug. As for replacing the anode annually...it only needs to be replaced when the rod's steel core is showing, or it gets down to about 1/4" diameter (usually at the plug end). Replacing annually is a waste of money...the last rod I replaced was 9 years old before I had to replace it and we camp a lot The last trailer we had, I never did replace the rod, we only had the trailer for 4 years before trading up to the 5er.

[dakingsella]

Well, I went out today to buy my winterizing supplies (pink stuff, new water filter and aw, yes a new anode for the water heater. Oh well, if I don't need to replace it I will add it to my RV supplies in the basement and will have it when I do need it.

Thanks for the explanation of why mine has an anode.

Happy camping!

[Bushman512000]

The rod is a invention to help keep dissimular metals from attacking and breaking down each other witch will rot out the HWtank.The rod about every 3-6years is cheep in that the cost of HWtanks are about $300.or more..So rerod or let the fat lady sing ....lol...Bushman