Forgot the Anode

rexlion wrote:
If you missed checking the anode rod for a year, I have to assume that you are in a place with warm winters. The rest of us have to pull those rods every fall to empty the water heater for winter.

We have full timed since Nov 2011.

I used Permatex Teflon thread sealer in a squeeze tube two years ago. Stayed sealed the whole time and was no problem removing the Anode. So I used it this time also.

Yuk, I don't know where you're getting your water, or how long you've left it in the heater, but I've had the same anode rod now for 4 years, and I've Never had it look like that. :E , but I do flush it after each trip.

bukhrn wrote:
Yuk, I don't know where you're getting your water, or how long you've left it in the heater, but I've had the same anode rod now for 4 years, and I've Never had it look like that. :E , but I do flush it after each trip.

Try full timing and check it after two years and you can have a really cool looking science experiment going also!

larry barnhart wrote:
Do not use more than one wrap of Teflon tape. This is to any beginner rv'rs.

chevman

Just wondering what your reason is for that?

mielock wrote:
I've had the same rod for 4 years, and by the looks of things I can continue to use it for a couple more years. I believe the reason is I drain the tank after each use, so most of the time the rod is not in any contact with water.

The anode only reacts when it is immersed in water. Anodes are made of aluminum or magnesium. They sacrifice themselves to the elements in the water that would otherwise attack any exposed steel in the tank. If there is no water in the tank there is no reaction with the anode.

Do not use Teflon tape on anode threads or they will not work. They must have a direct metal contact to the metal object they are protecting.

I use Teflon tape and my anodes dissolve as designed.

I used more than needed once and because we winter in bad water from Az lots of white builds up on the rod and in the tank. I read that too much doesn't let the treads contact the tank and when I removed our after one year it was like new but some rust was in the water.

Usually now I apply the yellow sealant or just one wrap of tape. I did buy a new tank before the warranty was up on our 2001 alpenlite because I wanted it replaced at home and not during the winter.

chevman

The good news is that the anode you showed still had some useful life left.

Would I replace it? YES

But it still had some useful life left.

Where you parek (What water you use) affects anode life. Some places eat the thing like hotdogs at a ball game.. others,, Like...(insert food you do not like here) in your house.

The rod still had the original shape just some divits here and there. Not worth replacing for sure.

I don't buy the theory not to use teflon tape. The tape after threading into the hole will not have complete coverage on the threads and will allow contact of metal to metal. Tape just fills minor voids.