Fellow DRV owner has RAPID Anode deterioration, pic below is after just 9 months.He uses a standard blue Camco inline filter then "On the Go double Water Softener" then whole house filter. This seems CRAZY to me. I know my water at home base in WA is good along with our Winter location in SoCal. Our Anode 2nd pictured is at least 3 years old.Any ideas????????

Way too much telfon tape and this will not let the rod do it's thing. Your tank will die early. Just one wrap is best. The male threads need to touch the female threads. chevman I now use pipe compound.chevman

On my trailer one season will take out a rod and then the next one will last 3 seasons. Not sure why. Could be the maker of the rod. I just inspect it at the beginning of the year and decide if I need new or reuse.

It all depends on the water being used, nothing else. A filter will do nothing to preserve an anode rod.

Teflon tape is so thin and weak the anode rod threads will immediately cut thru it and make metal to metal contact. Tape is for sealing between threads, not insulating them. Two or three turns of tape is plenty. But use pipe dope if that makes you feel better. What will have far more impact is whether you use a magnesium rod or an aluminum rod. A magnesium rod will give itself up much faster than an aluminum rod. I replaced an old magnesium rod with aluminum rod one time. That rod still looked almost new 3 years later using same water sources indicating it was not doing much to protect the tank. Now use nothing but OEM magnesium and replace yearly.

larry barnhart wrote:Way too much telfon tape and this will not let the rod do it's thing. Your tank will die early. Just one wrap is best. The male threads need to touch the female threads. chevman I now use pipe compound.chevmanI mentioned that to him saying I use Permatex Teflon in a squeeze tube.

Anode's Rapid Demise | Good Sam Community

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2020
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Total lapse in reason." :B
But I'm still rockin' a B&W hitch. :)
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2020
"Total lapse in reason." :B
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2020
Lynnmor wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
Lynnmor wrote:
Did you ever notice that when the anode conversations come up you never hear about the anode replacements in their homes?
I never could find the one in my gas water heater.

See this website for ideas. Also, your owners manual might be of help.
Sorry about that, I know all that but somehow had a brain phart and was thinking electric water heaters were the only ones that had a anode. Total lapse in reason.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2020
Lynnmor wrote:
Did you ever notice that when the anode conversations come up you never hear about the anode replacements in their homes?

Funny I just thought about that yesterday. My WH is Propane and is 25 years old. As mentioned I have GOOD water, high in calcium chloride. Guessing this is why it's gone so long. I have a 3/4" ball valve at the bottom with a garden hose fitting. Once a year I do open the valve with hose ran outside and let er run for a while.

I did put "check Anode" on my calendar! Will be first time in 25 years. Sad to admit.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2020
I'm going to blame the water softener - taking out the alkaline hardness (calcium, magnesium, etc) makes the water more acidic. Just replace the anode each year.
ppine
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2020
Look hard at your water softener.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 13, 2020
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Lynnmor wrote:
Did you ever notice that when the anode conversations come up you never hear about the anode replacements in their homes?

That is because MOST home owners do NOT know WH Tank has an anode rod.

Home Depot and Lowe's no longer carry anodes in their stores, they would rather sell water heaters. Of course most folks have no clue anyway.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 13, 2020
fj12ryder wrote:
Lynnmor wrote:
Did you ever notice that when the anode conversations come up you never hear about the anode replacements in their homes?
I never could find the one in my gas water heater.

See this website for ideas. Also, your owners manual might be of help.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2020
Lynnmor wrote:
Did you ever notice that when the anode conversations come up you never hear about the anode replacements in their homes?
I never could find the one in my gas water heater.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2020
Lynnmor wrote:
Did you ever notice that when the anode conversations come up you never hear about the anode replacements in their homes?

That is because MOST home owners do NOT know WH Tank has an anode rod.

WH Tank MFGs set warranty at 6 yr, 10 yr, 12 yr and the only real difference is size of anode rod mfg. installs
Same Steel glass-lined tank....just longer (calculated) warranty based on anode rod protection

Bigger diameter/longer length----longer warranty time frame

Forum Discussion

Anode's Rapid Demise

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Anode Rod Wear

Water heater Anode

Maxair fan demise?

Installing new anode rod

anode rod