wa8yxm wrote:
You folks need to study the galvanic process. the rod is called a "Sacrificial anode", What does this mean:
If the water is of a type that tends to eat the lining of the tank for breakfast, The Anode sacrifices itself to prevent that from happening,, SOFT water is a great offender,, Or rather Softened, as most of the metals have been removed.
Heavily metal laden water.. Not so much.. Now, not all minerals are Metal, and those non-metal ones may deposit on the anode (And everything else) .
It is all confusing less you are a science major, and even then .. Well, you might wish to do a bit of extra studying.. I would if I did not have an Atwood water heater.
Do you have proof (even web links) soft water dissolves anode rods faster than hard? For 10 years I lived in a condo with electric heat, and those with soft water systems did not replace their hot water heater anode rods nearly as often as others...if ever.
All people really need to understand is an the anode rod does not protect against scale and mineral build up and such, it protects against corrosion of the tank/vessel. So the anode corrodes instead of the tank.
Edit: I find myself contradicting my first statement! Water hardness does make a difference. Here's a great explanation;
http://www.globalimageserver.com/FetchDocument.aspx?ID=9be6139a-8aa9-45b1-882b-ddfb56bfed3ehttp://wqa.org/pdf/pressreleases/battelleresults.pdf
