Anode rod

applegater wrote:
Yes, I miss my Atwood, too.

X3

Vegas Bob wrote:
How often do you check your anode rod in your suburban
water heater?

Depends on your water. I have not replaced my anode rod in four years and it is still like new because I fill up before leaving home and here in the San Francisco Bay Area we have great Sierra water. If you have very hard water you may need to replace your rod once or even twice a year.

I just replace it once a year when de-winterizing, they're cheap engough to play it safe.

Nick

Arizona Kid wrote:
The difference between Atwood and Suburban heaters is Suburban makes more sizes, and I have read heats a little faster, and maintains the temp. a little longer. Both good hot water heaters.

This is true.....
Suburban makes 3, 6, 10 & 12 gallon versions (3 gal/9000 BTU, 6, 10 & 12 gal/12,000 BTU and use 1440 watt elements)
Atwood makes 6 & 10 gallon standard version (10,000 BTU & 1400 watt element) and also make a 6 & 10 XT version......comparable to 9 & 12 gal by using a mixing valve (still 10,000 BTU & 1400 watt element)

So Suburban should heat water quicker....Atwood claims due to extended cold inlet dip tube they retain heat 55% longer.
Atwood are also lighter in weight....6 gal/14# less 10 gal/30# less
and no anode rod BUT drain hole is smaller (1/2" vs 3/4")

Suburban...two sets of T-stats (one for 120V and one for 12V)
Atwood only one set of T-stats
Bad t-stat on Suburban..still can use other heat source...not so with Atwood

Both have pros/cons......each heat water
And MFG. of RV's don't give you a choice of which one :(

The difference between Atwood and Suburban heaters is Suburban makes more sizes, and I have read heats a little faster, and maintains the temp. a little longer. Both good hot water heaters.

Yes, I miss my Atwood, too. Now I check anode rod twice a year.

My Atwood ain't got no stinkin anode rod.

I like checking it around this time of year. Replacing it (or at least scrubbing the calcium off) also makes sure the scale buildup isn't so large it prevents it from being removed. This also allows me to rinse out the water heater as well.

I have been checking it when I winterize but this summer I should have checked it again before we left in August. I looked at it when we got back from a trip and saw that it needed changing - with two more trips still to go for the season. It is easy to remove and replace and twice a year is probably the best way to keep things flowing.

Never knowing I even had one, I had it replaced and it looked like a burned out fourth of July sparkler.

Nelda