Sacrificial Anode

[happycamper1942]

I winterized my 5th wheel today, including removing the sacrificial anode to drain the hot water tank. Then I and went to do the same thing to my camper and discovered that there is just a plastic plug in the hole, no anode. Is this normal? I would assume every heater should have an anode, but thought I would ask for some opinions before putting one in.
Thanks

[happycamper1942]

Thanks everyone. ot sounds likr I do not need one. I will chech ot tomorrow.

[Reddog1]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Atwood.........uses an aluminum alloy tank and therefore does NOT have an anode rod. Drain hole is 1/2" diameter and uses a nylon drain plug.
Aftermarket sells a 1/2" anode rod for use in Atwood.....but mfg. does NOT supply one or recommend one.

Suburban.......uses a steel 'glass lined' tank just like millions of residential water heaters and therefore uses anode rod. Drain hole is 3/4" and anode rod is 9"-9 1/2" long. Sacrificial material is formed around a steel rod and can be Magnesium or Aluminum

Several years reading post on water heaters, and my research agree with this. My TC uses an Atwood water, which does not use an anode.

It is my understanding residential water heater all use the anode rod. I might stand corrected on this.

Wayne

[Old-Biscuit]

Atwood.........uses an aluminum alloy tank and therefore does NOT have an anode rod. Drain hole is 1/2" diameter and uses a nylon drain plug.
Aftermarket sells a 1/2" anode rod for use in Atwood.....but mfg. does NOT supply one or recommend one.

Suburban.......uses a steel 'glass lined' tank just like millions of residential water heaters and therefore uses anode rod. Drain hole is 3/4" and anode rod is 9"-9 1/2" long. Sacrificial material is formed around a steel rod and can be Magnesium or Aluminum

[darsben]

Different brands
IIRC Suburban has one some others do not

[RoyB]

My Suburban SW6P hot water heater has an anode rod installed in it. I think the ATWOOD model hot water heater that has an aluminum tank does not require an anode rod.

Roy Ken

[jetcare]

The Suburban water heater has an anode rod and the Atwood has the plastic plug. The Atwood is aluminum tank construction and the Suburban has a steel tank.

[billtex]

Atwood has anode Suburban does not.

Or vice/versa....I can never remember which. We have had both...