Anode Rod

Nvr2loud wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:


Thank you for the response, my Attwood had one installed in the drain by the previous owner. I removed it to install the Hott Rod heater and was concerned about the consequences of that.

You're welcome!

Atwood doesn't recommend the use of any aftermarket electric heat rod.
It's not because of heating problems-----the electric elements are only 325W. It's because owners have a tendency to NOT drain/flush water heater tank routinely after installing the heat rods. Once installed they tend to just forget about doing the draining/flushing cause they have to remove the heat rod to do it.

Suburban doesn't recommend them either (same reason) but also because of the need for the anode rod (9 1/2" long rod). There is an aftermarket heat rod that has an anode rod on it but it is very short

Enjoy your heat rod.......but don't forget to drain/flush tank at least yearly (end of season is a good time)

Good advice... I drain after each use because I'm slightly over my trailers max weight rating without water, so an extra 6 gallons hits the ground LOL. I did experiment with draining it the other day, it was easy before the hott rod, but not so easy now. I had to remove the gas valve just to get wrench clearance to install the hott rod.

The way I found of draining the tank (but not for winter, just between trips) was to tilt my trailer tail down / nose up and open both my low point drains (I just installed ball valves on them for ease of this procedure) Next I open my fresh water tank drain, and I open all the taps. Once all the water has drained, I then open the pressure relief valve handle, breaking the air seal of the hot water tank... that is when the remaining 6 gallons comes out the low point cold water drain.