Water heater anode

[STJ]

This is from my 2019 Outback 2 years old I a few days. It has been used about 250 days since new. I have to be honest this is the first camper have owned and the last one I had use of was the inlaws and I am sure they NEVER changed the anode rod. My RV dealer said to change it every 2 years. So is this normal for 2 years or should I have changed it at one year?

[chuckster57]

Anode rod life depends on the type of water you have. That one is about 60-75% depleted IMO. You could probably go another 6 months, but personally would change it out. There are 2 types of anode rods, so you might want to research which would be best for your water supply.

[STJ]

We live in NW Florida and the camper has been from the east coast of Fl to SD Tx and all in between so most everybody's water

[77cruiser]

When they get like that set them on fire, put sunglasses on & watch em burn.

[notanlines]

Generally the rods are about $9.00. Change it every year if you pull it out to winterize. Why put a half-eaten rod back to save a few bucks?

[flybouy]

I'm with Jim on this. A $9 anode rod every year is cheap insurance to protect a $300 water heater. I change them out at the start of a new season. Put the used one in a baggie with the other "spare parts" that way I have a spare if I drain the tank and there's any issue with the one that was currently in use. I also throw in a roll of Teflon tape that's commonig towards the end of the roll. That way I know where it's at as you only need a little bit of it.

[GordKey22]

I pulled the anode this year and went to the RV parts place for a replacement.

The parts guy told me he figured I had another year or two still.

I bought a couple, one to install and one for spare.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by STJ

This is from my 2019 Outback 2 years old I a few days. It has been used about 250 days since new. I have to be honest this is the first camper have owned and the last one I had use of was the inlaws and I am sure they NEVER changed the anode rod. My RV dealer said to change it every 2 years. So is this normal for 2 years or should I have changed it at one year?

That one has another two years left.