Anode Rod Issue and a Couple of Questions

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Good info. The Suburban water heaters Escape uses have a porcelain lined steel tank.
This is a good video on anodes.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=33s&v=UiaNW2bXeT8

So the zinc would work in the Escape heaters, correct?

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

So the zinc would work in the Escape heaters, correct?

Three types of anodes: aluminum, zinc, and magnesium.

Some studies show that people exposed to high levels of aluminum may develop Alzheimer's disease so I would avoid use if installed in drinking/cooking water.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10901330

Zinc anodes are part zinc and part aluminum. Same problem as aluminum anode for Alzheimer's disease.

Magnesium anodes provide the best protection for the hot water tank from corrosion. I would use Magnesium anodes and check them regularly in case they need replacement. Aluminum/Zinc anodes may have a health risk that I would rather avoid.

[gbaglo]

When do/would you consume hot water from the tank?

[Iowa Dave]

I don’t know Glenn, maybe when gargoyaling? Or making a hot chocolate in your mouth.
Iowa Dave

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

When do/would you consume hot water from the tank?

If you get water from the kitchen sink faucet, there is a probable chance that some hot water comes out with the cold. It's a mixing faucet. Also, making a pot of coffee / soup, etc. goes quicker if hot water is used before putting it on the stove top.

The point I was trying to make is the magnesium anodes work better and doesn't have the risk that aluminum has. Why bother with aluminum?

[gbaglo]

Hope you don't drive one of those newer Ford trucks with the aluminum body.
I agree that the purpose of the anode is to sacrifice itself instead of the tank being eaten away and magnesium does that best, which is why it doesn't last as long.

[lilkuma]

I would try a 1” copper fitting brush to clean the threads in the tank. You can even break the handle off on brush and stick the brush into a drill to speed up the process. Brushes are cheap! 3 - 4 wraps of Teflon in clockwise direction and then apply some pipe dope on threads (on Teflon tape) of anode rod. Unless the threads are cross threaded I don’t see a need for the tap to chase the threads.

[steve dunham]

I remove the anode in the Fall and coat the tank threads with vasoline . No rust issues come Spring .

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Hope you don't drive one of those newer Ford trucks with the aluminum body.

So now I have to sell my F150?

Enjoy,

Perry

[cpaharley2008]

I stopped using aluminum 30 years ago when my father was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimers. Another source in todays world is antiperspirant which contains aluminum vs using deodorant. So magnesium for me then.

[arniesea]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Good info. The Suburban water heaters Escape uses have a porcelain lined steel tank.
This is a good video on anodes.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=33s&v=UiaNW2bXeT8

Thanks Dave!

A very informative video series. I like the mineral oil suggestion.

The narration cracked me up! Reminded me of the 35mm “Safety” movies they showed in the 50’s in my elementary school!

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

I don’t know Glenn, maybe when gargoyaling? Or making a hot chocolate in your mouth.
Iowa Dave

Instant hot cocoa! Great idea Dave!

[gbaglo]

Just need a faucet with "Hot", "Cocoa" and "Kahlua".

[War Eagle]

I haven't seen anyone address this, and it's not in the video, but I always do a "deep" rinse of the tank (see link for wand below) after cleaning the threads and before reinstalling the anode rod to hopefully flush out any rust particles or old thread tape remnants that might have fallen back into the tank while cleaning.
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Rinser-.../dp/B002XL2IBS

[Garygailrow@gmail.com]

Try antiseize thread dope

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

So now I have to sell my F150?

Enjoy,

Perry

Naw, just don't chew on the bed!

[strawbarry]

I always drain the water heater after each trip. I remove the anode rod and leave it out. Before filling water tank I reinstall the anode rod. This has left the rod with very little wear. Original rod from 2015.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

I haven't seen anyone address this, and it's not in the video, but I always do a "deep" rinse of the tank (see link for wand below) after cleaning the threads and before reinstalling the anode rod to hopefully flush out any rust particles or old thread tape remnants that might have fallen back into the tank while cleaning. ...

After 3 months in the Rio Grande Village Campground Big Bend NP I did a flush and removed about 2 pounds of white scale from the hot water tank. Guaranteed to plug any drain! Fortunately I did not drink the local water so I didn't need to flush myself. I usually recommended (to the nice campers) that they get their drinking water elsewhere in the Park.
--
Alan

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by strawbarry

I always drain the water heater after each trip. I remove the anode rod and leave it out. Before filling water tank I reinstall the anode rod. This has left the rod with very little wear. Original rod from 2015.

If there is no water in the tank, the anode will not sacrifice itself whether it's in the tank or out.
The type of water makes all the difference. We have soft water here in Vancouver so I didn't have to replace my anode at 7 years, but I did anyway. This is what it looked like at that time.
In some places, an anode is only good for a year.

[mtnest]

Alan, since you were there three months, does that mean you were a volunteer at the park?
-Tom