Forum Discussion

Effy's avatar
Effy
Explorer II
May 13, 2013

Electric anode for LP water heater?

This may sound like a silly question, but I think I read somewhere that some LP water heater units can add an electric anode to heat via electric vs gas. Does such things really exist and can they be added to an LP atwood WH?
  • Check it out really good. A Motor Homes as new as your should probably already have the gas/electric option via a simple switch. Have you looked for a switch?
  • Effy's avatar
    Effy
    Explorer II
    robsouth wrote:
    Check it out really good. A Motor Homes as new as your should probably already have the gas/electric option via a simple switch. Have you looked for a switch?


    Nope no switch. LP only.
  • I added a Hott Rod to my 10 gallon Atwood about 9 years ago and installed a switch in the galley area.

    Works fine, but be sure you do not wire it to your inverter circuit.

    It will drawn down a battery quickly in a boondocking environment.
  • Check Ebay for the "Hot Shot Lightning Rod". I've used one in my 6gal Atwood for years. Saves a lot of propane.
  • Hott Rod & Lightning Rod are two aftermarket electric heat elements that are installed in the WH tank drain and then plugged into an AC outlet.

    They are small wattage and can help maintain hot water......by themselves they have a very long recovery time.

    Both Atwood & Suburban void warranties on WH if used.......so say goodbye to your 2 yr. warranty.

    'Anode' is a sacrificial rod used in Suburban WHs.
    Atwood WHs don't use/need them.
  • I am going to add one to mine also. I didn't realize mine was gas only until the purchase was complete. I got the typical "it will void the warranty" but from what I have found it is cheaper and easier to just fix my RV when something broke. The dealer and manufacturer told me that they cannot put the gas/electric heater in my RV because it is a 30 amp unit. MY class C was a 30 amp service and it had a gas/electric water heater.
    From what I can see there is a 110 15 amp plug on the Hot Rod. I am thinking I will just run it on a heavy cord from the campground podium. If I need water heater service it can be easily removed.