I just purchased a couple new anode rods. Mine still had the original in it since new. According to my suburban heater manual it came with the magnesium rod.
The oem #232767 is the original magnesium. The dealer had an aluminum suburban rod #232768. It stated right on the package, to only use the aluminum rod, if you could get no longer than 6 mo, to a year out of the magnesium rod.
Since my original was used a season and a half, and is still about 50%, I bought two more magnesium rods. I have had no smell, but did get quite a bit of the white junk out when flushing.
I think they want your rod to eat away in a year or two, but no doubt the aluminum rod will last the longest.
Jerry
