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Post by Edd505 on Feb 19, 2019 0:20:53 GMT -5
Those with Suburban water heaters, change the anode rod! Changed mine and it was completely gone. Book says once a year and I obviously was way past time. Simple to change, you'll need a 1 1/16" socket and some Teflon tape.
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Post by RdRmr on Feb 21, 2019 17:47:22 GMT -5
What Edd said.
I take mine out once a year and clean it, then flush the tank while it's out. Simple to do. Gets all the sediment off the bottom of the tank. Have managed to get two years out of the anode but then again it depends on the water where you are located too. Pull it every year and if it is 50% or more eroded replace it. Happy Campin....
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 21, 2019 19:03:46 GMT -5
Those with Suburban water heaters, change the anode rod! Changed mine and it was completely gone. Book says once a year and I obviously was way past time. Simple to change, you'll need a 1" socket and some Teflon tape. I think you will find that you need 1-1/16 socket. When installing the anode it can be difficult to get the threads started because all the weight is inside trying to tilt it. If you lay a layer or two of paper towel over the socket and cram the hex in, you will have a nice handle with an extension. |
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Post by laknox on Feb 22, 2019 10:41:49 GMT -5
How long do the anodes last if you almost never use electric in the WH? :-)
Lyle
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Post by nvguy on Feb 22, 2019 23:28:21 GMT -5
How long do the anodes last if you almost never use electric in the WH? :-) Lyle Doesn't matter, its the "corrosive nature" of the water. Here in NV where most of our water comes from he** I am lucky of get a year out of an anode. |
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Post by Chuck on Feb 23, 2019 12:30:36 GMT -5
Using the HW heater or not i believe you should change the anode out once a year, they don't cost that much an are easy to use, if in two years I diffidently would change one out but no longer ... Some people would say it's a wast of money to change out every year even if not used, I call it preventive maintenance  Safe Travels Chuck |
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 23, 2019 14:08:54 GMT -5
Ask folks how often they change anode rods in their home water heater and you usually get a blank stare. When their water heater starts leaking they blame the cheap construction. Home Depot and Lowe's stopped carrying anode rods in my area due to no sales, and the salespersons also give you a blank stare when asked about them. Maybe management likes to sell water heaters more than a part that will double its life. They can direct you to where the Christmas trees are being sold.
Anode rods are more correctly called sacrificial anodes, because they give up material to counter the effects of the water. The useful life can be months to years depending on the water quality. They need to be replaced when the material loss is about half, but in an RV that bounces down the road I don't want the center steel rod to be weakened and break. Usually the wear is right next to the threads and if it is totally gone there, I replace. Be aware that only Suburban brand water heaters have anode rods in the RV world.
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nitzo
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 47
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Post by nitzo on Feb 24, 2019 4:08:24 GMT -5
Just offhand, does anyone know what brand the Venom 3911 uses? |
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Post by mdconvert on Feb 24, 2019 9:23:30 GMT -5
Great tips, as always, lynnmor.
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Post by joecamper on Feb 24, 2019 19:22:35 GMT -5
Those with Suburban water heaters, change the anode rod! Changed mine and it was completely gone. Book says once a year and I obviously was way past time. Simple to change, you'll need a 1" socket and some Teflon tape. I think you will find that you need 1-1/16 socket. When installing the anode it can be difficult to get the threads started because all the weight is inside trying to tilt it. If you lay a layer or two of paper towel over the socket and cram the hex in, you will have a nice handle with an extension. X2 |
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Post by Edd505 on Feb 25, 2019 23:28:00 GMT -5
mine was just shy of 2 years and was 90% gone, so once a year is cheap insurance. I'll pull it and replace it, $20 to save hundreds? Anyone with a boat in salt water is more than familiar with sacrificial zinks used to save expensive parts.
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Post by Chuck on Feb 27, 2019 14:01:37 GMT -5
Just offhand, does anyone know what brand the Venom 3911 uses? If it looks like this it's a Suburban 
They should have a part number some place on it, you look at the bottom just under the tube you see the anode nut, i
believe it's a inch an a eight or inch an a quarter, don't remember right off hand ...
Safe Travels
Chuck
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Post by bc75 on Mar 2, 2019 21:39:39 GMT -5
I replace my anode rod every year. Didn't know my house water heater had one.
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Post by nvguy on Mar 2, 2019 23:13:50 GMT -5
 Sorry for the small image, wouldn't enlarge much more..... Takes a 1-1/16" socket, Use an extension, keep your hands away, the sheet metal edges are sharp. |
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Post by lynnmor on Mar 3, 2019 9:09:59 GMT -5
I replace my anode rod every year. Didn't know my house water heater had one. Did you find the one in the house yet? They can be difficult to remove after several years of rusting. Whenever you buy a new water heater for the house or RV, always remove the anode and reinstall with teflon tape and don't over tighten, then your regular replacements will be much easier. I have a hybrid water heater at home and it took a 3/4" impact wrench to remove the anode first time. The water heater in my shop needs to have the top removed to access the anode, I guess they provided no hole because folks no longer maintain anything. |
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corny
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 20 
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Post by corny on May 14, 2020 15:14:31 GMT -5
I had my Coyote 10 years and checked the anode rod every year when I winterized the tank. The rod still had over 50% Zinc left. We have good well water here in Maine. The pH of my water is 8.0, very slightly alkaline.
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Post by nvguy on May 14, 2020 23:00:03 GMT -5
I had my Coyote 10 years and checked the anode rod every year when I winterized the tank. The rod still had over 50% Zinc left. We have good well water here in Maine. The pH of my water is 8.0, very slightly alkaline. Good water will do that for you. Come out there to NV, anodes go away like alka seltzer tablets. Also from what I have been told there are aluminum or magnesium anodes, with the aluminum one lasting longer. The important issue is that you replace them regularly so you don't loose protection. |
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Post by hannahsdad on May 15, 2020 14:26:50 GMT -5
Those with Suburban water heaters, change the anode rod! Changed mine and it was completely gone. Book says once a year and I obviously was way past time. Simple to change, you'll need a 1" socket and some Teflon tape. I think you will find that you need 1-1/16 socket. When installing the anode it can be difficult to get the threads started because all the weight is inside trying to tilt it. If you lay a layer or two of paper towel over the socket and cram the hex in, you will have a nice handle with an extension. Ohhhh...thanks for the tip ! It's always been a bitch to get back in. (and yes, mine is also 1 1/16) |
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Post by juzplanekrazy on May 21, 2020 13:37:09 GMT -5
I'm guessing mine has the same water heater, if thats KZ choice brand?
I saw a You-Tube video of a guy that did it. He also had a long tube on a water hose to flush out the tank.
Amazing what came out of it.
Great reminder Edd505. I'm at little over a year and a half. Time to order one.
Anything special to look for ordering one?
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Post by Edd505 on May 21, 2020 18:38:23 GMT -5
They are Magnesium and run $11-15 most RV repair shops, I normally order from Amazon and carry a spare.
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