RV Water Heater Sacrificial Anode after 94 days use

[wwillson]

This anode was new before our winter trip. I am surprised how much of the sacrificial anode has corroded away in such a short time. The water in Arizona tastes like minerals so I'm guessing that's where most of the sacrificing happened. I will put this one back in and use it again. This anode is magnesium.

Most RV water heaters have a dished shape on the bottom and can't be completely drained. I wonder how much oxidized metal is in the bottom of the tank.

 

[KGMtech]

Wow, that's a lot of sacrifice in one season.

 

[wwillson]

This is the previous anode:

When do you replace the water heater anode?

This anode has been in use since Aug 1, 2021 and we have spent over 100 nights in the trailer since then. We don't drain the water heater in the warm months, so the anode is slowly being consumed, except when the trailer is winterized. Is this anode still serviceable or is it done?

rvthe.us

 

[demarpaint]

That looks like it was in service for years.

 

[JohnnyG]

Some water heater specialists (?) claim that certain types of bad water taste can be blamed entirely on the magnesium anode. Especially if the hot water smells stronger of "rotten eggs" than the cold water does. They make a titanium (?) rod that is supposed to eliminate that issue. Only problem with that is that it needs to be powered by 110V. The actual voltage on the rod is likely much lower.

 

[wwillson]

Some water heater specialists (?) claim that certain types of bad water taste can be blamed entirely on the magnesium anode. Especially if the hot water smells stronger of "rotten eggs" than the cold water does.

There is a mild rotten egg smell, especially in the bathroom faucet, which is the highest point in the water system.

 

[JohnnyG]

https://www.amazon.com/Residential-...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Take a peek.

 

[mattd]

My first season one in mine looked similar. Second one not so bad

 

[wander2039]

Glad that our Atwood doesn't have one!

 

[paulswagelock]

Switch to aluminum. Less reactive, prevents the bad water smell.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

This anode was new before our winter trip. I am surprised how much of the sacrificial anode has corroded away in such a short time. The water in Arizona tastes like minerals so I'm guessing that's where most of the sacrificing happened. I will put this one back in and use it again. This anode is magnesium.

Most RV water heaters have a dished shape on the bottom and can't be completely drained. I wonder how much oxidized metal is in the bottom of the tank.

View attachment 145802

That sure seems to have corroded fast but I use my RV for about 20 to 30 nights a year so difficult to relate. I drain my hot water heater after every trip. I also clean the anode with a paper towel. Several times a year I flush the tank with one of these. I feel like it helps but I don’t have any substantial evidence.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Rinser-Cleanses-Sediment-Collects-11691/dp/B002XL2IBS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3

Just my $0.02

 

[brianl703]

This what the lower heating element in my electric water heater looked like after 4 years. It had burned out. Replaced it and the upper one with a "limelife" low watt density heating element.

 

[xgmad]

This is the previous anode:

When do you replace the water heater anode?

This anode has been in use since Aug 1, 2021 and we have spent over 100 nights in the trailer since then. We don't drain the water heater in the warm months, so the anode is slowly being consumed, except when the trailer is winterized. Is this anode still serviceable or is it done?

rvthe.us

That water seems to be quite horrendous, do you have any type of vortex filter and nylon filters to filter out the minerals? I am not sure how RV water filtration works, but if possible that would be a good setup along with a carbon block at the end.

 

[ripcord]

Holly smokes! Around here, most folks have no idea that they would ever need to change the anodes in their hot water tanks as our water is naturally soft with an ideally slightly alkaline but near neutral ph.

It's my understanding that aluminum anodes are preferred for soft water areas and magnesium is best for hard water regions.

 

[wwillson]

That water seems to be quite horrendous, do you have any type of vortex filter and nylon filters to filter out the minerals? I am not sure how RV water filtration works, but if possible that would be a good setup along with a carbon block at the end.

We do have a good filter:

Clearsource Premier™ RV Water Filter System

Clearsource Premier RV water filter system. Two-stage water filter system with 5 micron coconut shell carbon block filter and hospital grade .2 micron (absolute) filter improves taste and smell, and removes or reduces sediment, chlorine, chloramines, volatile organic compounds, and other...

www.clearsourcerv.com

The water in Arizona tastes strongly of minerals, even the large carbon filter we use doesn't remove all of the mineral taste, but it does help considerably.

 

[wag123]

We do have a good filter:

Clearsource Premier™ RV Water Filter System

Clearsource Premier RV water filter system. Two-stage water filter system with 5 micron coconut shell carbon block filter and hospital grade .2 micron (absolute) filter improves taste and smell, and removes or reduces sediment, chlorine, chloramines, volatile organic compounds, and other...

www.clearsourcerv.com

The water in Arizona tastes strongly of minerals, even the large carbon filter we use doesn't remove all of the mineral taste, but it does help considerably.

+4 on the switch to Aluminum anode, but, what you actually need is an Aluminum/Zinc alloy anode. Your water is too hard for Magnesium.

 

[walterjay]

All I can say is WOW!

 

[wwillson]

+4 on the switch to Aluminum anode, but, what you actually need is an Aluminum/Zinc alloy anode. Your water is too hard for Magnesium.

Thanks for the recommendation, just bought one.

https://a.co/d/eYB8kGf

 

[spasm3]

+4 on the switch to Aluminum anode, but, what you actually need is an Aluminum/Zinc alloy anode. Your water is too hard for Magnesium.

Thanks for the recommendation, just bought one.

https://a.co/d/eYB8kGf

+1 I need to check mine! Thanks for the reminder.

 

[ctechbob]

I was a little surprised when I pulled mine at the end of last season. We only had 6 days on the tank and it was already showing pitting and the like. I'll probably just order a replacement and do it once a year since we'll be in the thing at least 3-4 weeks this year.