Anode Rod

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Suburban OEM anode rods are magnesium. Magnesium deteriorates quicker than aluminum.

I have never pay any attention to the material of the rod. When I was camping at many different camp grounds, the rod would only last a year or so of full timing. Now I am camping FT at my son's home and I check the rod every spring. I noticed that it has lasted about 4 years and has a few more years to go. At first I thought it was the water. This year I noticed it had AL marked on the end. So I assume it is because it is Aluminum. I hope it is doing its job . . . :h

X2 on flushing yearly to get rid of the white stuff.

It's still got 'some' life in it, but since it's out and for about $10, I'd replace it.
Put a couple of wraps of Teflon Tape on the threads of the new one.

onemilmhz wrote:
Thanks for the replies. The pop up is "new to us" so I'm not sure of the rod's previous usage/age, but I'm just going to assume it's the original. We took a local trip, working out some known kinks, but hadn't used the water system yet. I'm going through a laundry list of things now, getting it ready for our next trip. I'm ordering a bunch of stuff anyway, so I'll probably go ahead and replace it.

2007 pop up........that is probably last seasons anode rod.

With anode rod out, turn on water supply and let it blow out WH drain hole...helps get the crud out of bottom of WH tank.

You can also buy a wand for end of garden hose and then stick it inside and rinse WH.

Good luck with rest of 'check out'-----popups are fun

Thanks for the replies. The pop up is "new to us" so I'm not sure of the rod's previous usage/age, but I'm just going to assume it's the original. We took a local trip, working out some known kinks, but hadn't used the water system yet. I'm going through a laundry list of things now, getting it ready for our next trip. I'm ordering a bunch of stuff anyway, so I'll probably go ahead and replace it.

Suburban OEM anode rods are magnesium. Magnesium deteriorates quicker than aluminum.

Yours is roughly 50%. Typically change out at 75% gone.

How long/time of usage has this rod seen? ("I've never changed out an anode before.")

Should pull/inspect rod at least at end of camping season and rinse/flush WH tank
Anode rod can be cleaned off using wire brush

That looks about half worn and replacement wouldn't be out of line. I cant speak to the material type to choose....I just went to my dealer and got an anode rod for my suburban HW tank. Didn't even look what it was made of, I assume Suburban did all the thinking for me. Not a bad idea to remove/inspect the anode and flush the tank on a routine basis.

Daryll