This the anode rode I removed when I first bought my camper last July. :EI flushed and flushed and flushed before all this junk quit coming out of it.Its leaking into the foam insulation so I'm sure the tank finally rotted thru. The think that surprised me when I first bought the camper is that it has most every option yet you have to go outside to light the water heater.I'm going to correct that. ;)

Think the Atwood water heaters were all aluminum so no anode. Maybe the older ones were steel.Well at least you were not on a long trip and the thing let go...You will like the auto ignite....Jim

Good chance that rod was never replaced. If you are going to the trouble of installing a new one and install an inside switch, you might as well get a propane and electric water heater so you can save on propane when you have electric hookups. Or use on both gas and electric at the same time when you need a faster recovery rate.

Must be Suburban heater with steel tank. You should replace the anode like 5-10 years earlier, what would protect the tank from corrosion. I have 20 years old Suburban heater who I converted to electric-only for my van conversion. I had to remove the rod for electric element and mine still had lot of material on it. I guess your TC had much more use than average.

Label says Suburban.Glass lined steel tank.I would go with basic DSI Suburban replacement.

I think aluminium tanks on Atwood are superior, but for some Suburban might have nicer option of 1600W electric heating element.Than with today's technology progress who knows what come on the market yesterday?Are WI-FI operated W/H already on the market?

After 25 years the water heater - UPDATE page 5

56 Replies

enblethen
Nomad
Jul 20, 2020
I agree about Atwoods being superior, but is it worth changing opening to fit one in?
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2020
I think aluminium tanks on Atwood are superior, but for some Suburban might have nicer option of 1600W electric heating element.
Than with today's technology progress who knows what come on the market yesterday?
Are WI-FI operated W/H already on the market?
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 20, 2020
Label says Suburban.
Glass lined steel tank.
I would go with basic DSI Suburban replacement.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2020
Must be Suburban heater with steel tank.
You should replace the anode like 5-10 years earlier, what would protect the tank from corrosion.
I have 20 years old Suburban heater who I converted to electric-only for my van conversion. I had to remove the rod for electric element and mine still had lot of material on it.
I guess your TC had much more use than average.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jul 20, 2020
Good chance that rod was never replaced.

If you are going to the trouble of installing a new one and install an inside switch, you might as well get a propane and electric water heater so you can save on propane when you have electric hookups. Or use on both gas and electric at the same time when you need a faster recovery rate.
bigfootford
Nomad III
Jul 20, 2020
Think the Atwood water heaters were all aluminum so no anode.
Maybe the older ones were steel.

Well at least you were not on a long trip and the thing let go...

You will like the auto ignite....

Jim

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After 25 years the water heater - UPDATE page 5

56 Replies

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