anode rod

[outbackmac]

In my new 5ver hot water heater we have a anode rod i know why but my question is should i drain the tank after each use or leave water in tank.

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by outbackmac

In my new 5ver hot water heater we have a anode rod i know why but my question is should i drain the tank after each use or leave water in tank.

For a short time like between weekend trips you do not have to drain but you should leave a hot faucet open to release the pressure that builds from the reaction of the water, the anode and the tank.

[mhs4771]

We leave the water in ours, but so far this year it's only sat for a few days before we were off again. We'll be living it more this year than the stick house.

[chuck&gail]

If I leave water in water heater tank unused for more than a week my wife complains water stinks and is no good, so I drain it if over a week.

[popup]

What is the best method of draining the heater. When i had a pop-up the low point drains were underneath the heater and always drained a good flow. Now I'll open these low drains after water disconnect and not even a trickle.

[therink]

I have a 2010 Sydney 5er. Last summer, after not draining the water heater for most of the camping season, my electric element stopped heating the water like it should. Not knowing what the problem was, I got out my electric meter and tested the element. It was OK. For the heck of it, I decided to drain the heater. I was amazed by how much c**p came out (mineral deposits). I stuck a cut off end of a garden hose into the drain hole and flushed it out real good. Still a bunch more of the deposits came out. I then refilled and haven't had a problem with the element since. My guess is that some deposits were stuck to the element.
Lesson learned, now I drain it after using campground water if the trailer is going to sit for a while between trips.
Just drained and flushed it last weekend. It is amazing how quickly that stuff builds up in there.
Needless to say, after one year my anode rod is almost spent.
Steve

[therink]

Oh yeah.
Popup, on the outside of the water heater (remove the exterior cover), there is a 1" or so bolt on the bottom. That is the heater tank drain. Make sure the electric element and gas burner is turned off before draining. Also make sure you bleed off any pressure in the tank by turning on a hot faucet first. If not, you'll get a free shower. Ask me how I know that?

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

To keep from getting scalded I normally turn off the gas and electric, allow the tank to drain itself of hot water by opening the tap in the kitchen and allow the hot water to run out. The tank is then full of cold water. Much better to deal with....

hankaye