Which anode rod?

[NashTT]

We've RVed since 1979, but I now own Suburban water heater for the first time. We've always has 6 gal. Atwoods so the anode rod is new to us. I suspect it's time to change it (18 months).but I want a replacement before I go to the trouble of taking the present one out. I don't know whether I need aluminum or magnesium and I can't seem to match part numbers up. My book says #231419 but Amazon has #232768 or #232767. By the way, we love the 10 gal. vs. the 6 gal. We have yet to run out of hot water.

[sh410]

NashTT wrote:
We've RVed since 1979, but I now own Suburban water heater for the first time. We've always has 6 gal. Atwoods so the anode rod is new to us. I suspect it's time to change it (18 months).but I want a replacement before I go to the trouble of taking the present one out. I don't know whether I need aluminum or magnesium and I can't seem to match part numbers up. My book says #231419 but Amazon has #232768 or #232767. By the way, we love the 10 gal. vs. the 6 gal. We have yet to run out of hot water.

I remove the anode rod several times a year to drain the water heater. I don't see it as a lot of trouble and I get to inspect the anode at the same time

[Weldon]

I have the same one for 14 years.

[enblethen]

It depends on what minerals are in the water as to which anode is used.

[Red-Rover]

Glad this question was posted because I have concerns about which anode to choose, magnesium or aluminium.
Like NashTT I never had an anode rod in the past but my new trailer has a magnesium anode that looks like swiss cheese after a single season and I estimate is about 1/2 consumed.
Since we travel a lot, we probably average a dozen different RV parks (different water supplies)in a month and never know what water to expect.
A couple of you have answered that you use aluminium but I believe that magnesium gives more protection?

[ScottG]

It really depends on your water quality as to whether it has worn out that fast.
Around here it takes 4 or 5 years to wear one out.

[cpaulsen]

Use the magnesium one.

[Dick_B]

You may not HAVE to replace it but they are so cheap the only downside is the trouble to go thru. Be sure you have the threads aligned before putting a wrench on the rod.

[enblethen]

I would get the standard Suburban aluminum rod. Camco part number 11562/11563 depending on packaging.

[mlts22]

I ran into the same problem. I went with the aluminum one, but that was just me.