Waterheater Anode

I currently have a Suburban water heater again, but when I last had an Atwood, it was possible to buy a magnesium anode rod at Camping world for the Atwood. The only disadvantage was that the magnesium rod was quite a bit more expensive than the aluminum ones for the Suburban heaters.

Ed Headington

GMandJM wrote:
It could fuse to the tank. Or it could do nothing at all. Either way, IF your tank is aluminium the anode isn't doing you any good, afaik.

EDIT: I see that you have a 2005 coach. I don't know if Atwood made a steel tank back in the day. Might want to find the manual for your model on line to be certain.

NOPE ....it is aluminum

pnichols wrote:
Ooooops!!

We have an Atwood waterheater and I put an anode rod in it anyway. I wonder what I'm gonna ruin by doing this?

Biggest issue is STEEL threads on anode rod and aluminum threads on drain hole bung. Very easy to strip out aluminum threads if anode rod is stubborn to remove (or even overtightened)

Aftermarket product THAT sells but is not needed NOR recommended by mfg.

Curious...
How long have you been using one?
IS it an aluminum anode material or magnesium anode material?
Does it show signs of deteriorating?

It could fuse to the tank. Or it could do nothing at all. Either way, IF your tank is aluminium the anode isn't doing you any good, afaik.

EDIT: I see that you have a 2005 coach. I don't know if Atwood made a steel tank back in the day. Might want to find the manual for your model on line to be certain.

Ooooops!!

We have an Atwood waterheater and I put an anode rod in it anyway. I wonder what I'm gonna ruin by doing this?

GMandJM wrote:
Yeah...I'd like to change my answer to what Biscuit said.

(Dang over-achieving, always edumacating Crusty Biscuit! :) )

I read the manuals :B

('reed' not 'red')

Yeah...I'd like to change my answer to what Biscuit said.

(Dang over-achieving, always edumacating Crusty Biscuit! :) )

You obviously had Suburban WH in past.

Welcome to the Atwood WH.

ATWOOD CLAD TANK
The Atwood water heater tank is constructed of a core of high strength aluminum.
The interior of the tank consists of a 15% thickness of type 7072 aluminum (pure aluminum and zinc) that is fused to the core during the rolling process.
This material protects the tank from the affects of heavy metals and salts found in waters throughout the country.
It is anodic to these heavy metals and acts much like an anode in a steel glass lined tank except it will last much longer.
There is also no need to replace an anode on a yearly basis.

Flushing the tank on a regular basis has been found to be helpful in insuring the best performance of your water heater
and adding to the useful life of the tank.
For flushing instructions see your owners manual or contact Atwood for a copy of our recommended procedures

Yep...if your water heater tank is aluminium (inner), no anode rod is needed.

Suburbans have anode rods, Atwoods have only a plastic plug. The internals of the Atwoods are not subject to galvanic corrosion.

Do you have an Atwood heater? If so, no anode needed.

Jim