Anode rod or not?

GARYJ · Mar 4, 2017

On my 2006 mallard travel trailer there isn't an anode rod in the water heater.
I also have a popup and it does use a long anode, and it works very well.
The question is; why does the TT does not have one? Do the manufacturers want the heater to corrode and me to buy a new one? Or is it flushing all it takes to keep it clean? If so, why does the popup have one?
Thanks for your answers!

Rene T · Mar 4, 2017

Ann Atwood water heater does not use an anode. The inside of the tank is protected.
A Suburban water heater tank is not protected so it uses the anode.

GARYJ · Mar 5, 2017

Thanks for your reply!
I didn't know about that. Doesn't say anything in the heater manual and I was thinking that they just forgot to add an anode rod for protection.

8Muddypaws · Mar 5, 2017

A freind of mine replaced the nylon drain plug with a brass one. A few months later his Atwood started leaking. My theory is that the brass set up conditions for electrolysis. He's an engineer and should have known better. :

denmarc · Mar 5, 2017

Rene is correct. Your TT probably has an Atwood water heater which has no anode. Tank construction doesn't require it.
Your popup probably has a Suburban water heater. Different tank construction, which does include an anode.

GARYJ said:
On my 2006 mallard travel trailer there isn't an anode rod in the water heater.
I also have a popup and it does use a long anode, and it works very well.
The question is; why does the TT does not have one? Do the manufacturers want the HEATER to corrode and me to buy a new one?

Based on the wording, you're not confusing an electric element for the anode, are ya?
Make and model # should clue us in.

Anode rod or not?

GARYJ

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Rene T

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GARYJ

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8Muddypaws

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denmarc

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