You could be acquainted with the time period “anode rod,” however do you actually know what it’s or what it does? If not, you’re definitely in the proper place. It’s a significant element of your RV water heater. When you’ve got a nasty RV water heater anode rod, you may be changing your water heater a lot earlier than anticipated.
On this article, we’ll evaluate every thing it’s good to find out about an RV water heater anode, from its perform to set up.
Do I Want an RV Water Heater Anode Rod?
For starters, not all RV water heaters use an anode rod. The fabric of your tank determines this.
The 2 most typical supplies are metal and aluminum. Some producers, like Suburban, use metal, and others, like Dometic, use aluminum. We received’t talk about the professionals and cons of metal vs aluminum water heater tanks, however it is very important know which tanks require an anode rod and which don’t.
Metal is susceptible to rust when oxidation happens; aluminum is just not. Due to this fact, metal tanks require an anode rod, and aluminum tanks don’t. You don’t have to fret about an anode rod if in case you have a tankless or on-demand water heater. Even if you happen to don’t want an anode rod, understanding what they’re and the way they work continues to be useful. We’ll dig into that subsequent.
Technician Tip: In the event you’re uncertain what sort of tank you’ve, it’s all the time greatest to contact the producer for affirmation.
What Is an RV Water Heater Anode Rod?
An RV water heater anode rod is a protracted, cylindrically formed piece of metallic. The cap or plug accommodates threads that screw into the tank. The cap is then embedded with a protracted wire to which the metals are bonded. The bonded metals often encompass magnesium, zinc, and aluminum.
The metals range by producer and area. For instance, magnesium is often urged for delicate water or excessive chlorine ranges. On the identical time, aluminum or aluminum/zinc are beneficial for these with onerous water or excessive sulfur ranges.
It’s vital to get the proper one in your water sort. In the event you use a magnesium anode rod as a substitute of an aluminum or aluminum/zinc anode rod with onerous water or water that accommodates excessive sulfur ranges, you’ll seemingly begin to discover a rotten egg odor when utilizing scorching water in your RV.
If unsure, you may all the time get your water sort examined, however the commonest and common selection is a magnesium anode for an RV scorching water heater.
How Do RV Water Heater Anode Rods Work?
The anode rod is threaded into the tank and submerged. As metropolis water is launched, minerals come together with it. These minerals are probably harmful to your water heater’s tank, as they will oxidize and eat away or break down the metallic. This sends metallic flakes all through your plumbing traces, probably damaging seals, clogging taps, weakening the tank, and rising its potential to burst.
The anode rod is fabricated from extra reactive and corrosive metallic than the tank. Due to this fact, the minerals will break down the anode rod earlier than they break down the tank. As long as you’ve an anode rod, you don’t have to fret about tank rust and corrosion.
That stated, RV water heater anode rods are sacrificial, which means they’re designed to be sacrificed and subsequently changed. That’s the reason it’s vital to examine them typically. The water heater producer often outlines the RV scorching water heater anode alternative tips.
Keep in mind that as an anode breaks down, it can go away sediment on the backside of your tank. Because of this it’s vital to flush and sanitize your tank typically, one to 2 instances a season, relying on use.
How Usually Ought to An RV Water Heater Rod Be Changed?
The time-frame for RV water heater anode alternative depends upon a number of elements, comparable to the quantity of use, high quality of water, and kind of anode rod. Nonetheless, they need to be checked yearly and changed if the scale is lower than 75% of the unique except in any other case specified. That stated, with common use, they need to final 3-5 years.
How To Inform If an RV Water Heater Anode Rod is Unhealthy
The easiest way to find out in case your anode rod is dangerous is to take away and examine it. Nonetheless, another tell-tale indicators would point out this with out eradicating.
- Rotten egg odor
- Cloudy and or discolored water
- Loud popping or cracking noises
In the event you discover any of those indicators or signs, it is likely to be time to examine your RV water heater’s anode rod.
How To Choose the Right Measurement Alternative Anode Rod
When changing an anode rod within the RV water heater, you have to be certain you’re deciding on the proper one. RV water heater anode rods are often a lot smaller than these utilized in residential functions, so ensure you’re RV anode rods solely.
When choosing out an RV water heater anode alternative, think about the scale of the plug’s threads, the size, and the kind of metallic. The easiest way to seek out this data is to contact the water heater producer, however it’s also possible to measure your previous rod and the tank inlet to find out the right measurement.
Technician Tip: Some RV water heater anode rods have a built-in drain which lets you empty the tank with out eradicating the anode rod. Nonetheless, these fashions have a tendency to empty very slowly, are extra susceptible to sediment clogs, and might enhance electrolysis within the tank.
Changing the Anode Rod in an RV Water Heater
You’ll want these instruments and supplies to take away and set up a alternative water heater anode rod:
- Appropriately Sized Socket
- 6” Extension
- Ratchet
- Breaker Bar
- Teflon/Plumber’s Tape
- RV Water Heater Anode Rod Alternative
- Water Heater Tank Rinser
After getting all of the provides, you will get began. Though most anode rod replacements are pretty comparable/commonplace, it’s all the time greatest to reference your proprietor’s handbook beforehand.
Technician Tip: The RV water heater anode socket measurement is often both ⅞”, 15/16”, or 1-1/16”.
How To Take away an RV Water Heater Anode Rod
Whereas steps might differ primarily based on the producer, listed here are the fundamentals for a profitable RV scorching water heater anode alternative:
- Flip off the ability and shut off the fuel provide. Most models have an simply accessible wall energy swap, however you’ll additionally need to examine your breaker panel. Then, flip off the propane provide on the cylinder(s).
- Disconnect metropolis water, flip off the ability to the water pump, and permit the water heater tank to chill for a number of hours. Then, run the new water taps with the water heater turned off till the water temperature has dropped to a protected degree.
- Take away the outside service panel and open the stress aid valve on the tank by lifting the deal with.
- Find the water heater anode rod and use the suitable socket and breaker bar to loosen the anode rod earlier than eradicating it with a ratchet and extension.
- Examine the anode rod for put on and exchange it whether it is outdoors of the producer’s specs.
- Clear sediment from the underside of the tank earlier than changing the anode rod in your RV water heater.
Technician Tip: If water circulate appears restricted when draining, use a rinsing wand or a uninteresting plastic probe to take away any obstructions from the drain gap. Watch out to not scratch the tank’s interior lining. A sediment blockage on the drain opening might be eliminated with a metallic probe, however a non-marring instrument might be substituted to stop the opportunity of unintended harm from a tough or sharp edge. Metropolis water stress can be utilized to rinse the tank as long as it’s utilized after the drain plug has been safely eliminated. It mustn’t exceed 80 PSI to stop the particles leaving the tank from touring at harmful speeds, risking harm or harm. The town water stress methodology is tougher to regulate and could also be much less efficient than a curved wand.
How To Set up an RV Water Heater Anode Rod
To put in a brand new anode rod and begin testing your water heater, comply with these steps:
- Clear the drain plug’s thread insert with a brush.
- Wrap anode rod threads with plumber’s or Teflon tape.
- Hand-tighten the anode rod into the tank, being certain to not cross-thread.
- Tighten the anode rod to the producer’s specs.
- Shut the stress aid valve.
- Flip town water and or water pump again on and examine for leaks.
- If no leaks are current, open the fuel valve and resupply electrical energy.
Schedule an RV Sizzling Water Heater Anode Alternative
The influence of not having a functioning anode rod might be vital, which is why it’s vital to examine yours commonly. In the event you don’t, you may be left with an costly restore invoice. Hopefully, this text gave you a greater understanding of what anode rods are and the way they work so you are feeling extra assured checking them your self.
In the event you want not to do that your self, your Licensed CW Technician can examine your anode rod at no further price when buying a Water Heater Service Package deal.
Check out a few of these different RV water heater articles beneath:
Tell us within the feedback beneath how typically you examine and exchange your water heater anode rod.
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