anode rod

johnnyv · 12-16-2021, 10:05 AM

Hello, any oplnions on Mag vs Al anode rods ? Thx

rubicon327 · 12-16-2021, 10:31 AM

When I asked the same question a while back I was told you want to avoid aluminum in contact with drinking water if possible. Some studies apparently show it can be linked to Alzheimer’s. Interestingly Atwood water heater tanks are made completely of aluminum. Easiest route for the Suburban was to just stick with the magnesium anode.

gbaglo · 12-16-2021, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

When I asked the same question a while back I was told you want to avoid aluminum in contact with drinking water if possible.

Who drinks water from the water heater?

rubicon327 · 12-16-2021, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Who drinks water from the water heater?

Valid question. We don’t but someone might. Seems the easiest solution is to avoid the issue and just stick with magnesium that does the job.

Vermilye · 12-16-2021, 11:48 AM

The magnesium anode offers better protection and is recommended. In some water conditions, the magnesium anode dissolves too rapidly; in that case the aluminum is a longer lasting (but not as protective) replacement.

gbaglo · 12-16-2021, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermilye

The magnesium anode offers better protection and is recommended. In some water conditions, the magnesium anode dissolves too rapidly; in that case the aluminum is a longer lasting (but not as protective) replacement.

It is a sacrificial metal. Its whole purpose to to dissolve, instead of the tank dissolving, so I would think that rapid dissolving in some conditions is desirable.

alanmalk · 12-16-2021, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

...
Interestingly Atwood water heater tanks are made completely of aluminum. Easiest route for the Suburban was to just stick with the magnesium anode.

Not to state anything other than the obvious - it seems unlikely that an aluminum anode rod can do anything useful in an aluminum tank. Keep in mind that the full name for these rods is "sacrificial" anodes. They really must deteriorate over time to be of any benefit. If you need the anode to last as long as possible then camp in the areas that advertise "Pure Rocky Mountain Spring Water" (aka Coors) and avoid nasty west Texas water - aka Lone Star.

rubicon327 · 12-16-2021, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanmalk

Not to state anything other than the obvious - it seems unlikely that an aluminum anode rod can do anything useful in an aluminum tank.

The Atwood tanks don’t have an anode. I mentioned it only relative to the concern of potential drinking water in contact with aluminum.

johnnyv · 12-16-2021, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

The Atwood tanks don’t have an anode. I mentioned it only relative to the concern of potential drinking water in contact with aluminum.

Thx everyone, Mag it is

johnnyv · 12-16-2021, 12:52 PM

Will use new rod for 6 weeks on Texas gulf. Don't know about water.

sunrisetrucker · 12-16-2021, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermilye

In some water conditions, the magnesium anode dissolves too rapidly.

Here on the rainy wet coast (AKA the west coast) we are still using the original anode that came our 2015 17B. I check it every year and there are still many years left before I will be replacing it. The benefits of soft water.

**Donna D.** · 12-16-2021, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunrisetrucker

Here on the rainy wet coast (AKA the west coast) we are still using the original anode that came our 2015 17B. I check it every year and there are still many years left before I will be replacing it. The benefits of soft water.

I'm a year up on yours, mine is original to my 2014. It sits in a full water tank at least 7 months out of the year.

gbaglo · 12-16-2021, 03:03 PM

For reference.

Kingfish · 12-16-2021, 05:53 PM

A previous trailer I owned had an aluminum anode rod and it never showed any degradation in the 4 years I owed it. However, the dreaded blue flakes began showing up in the tank drain water before I got rid of it. Indicated that the tank was deteriorating, but that cheap anode was perfect!!

Dcboyd · 12-16-2021, 10:54 PM

Received our 21C in January of this year. Replaced anode just last month. Locks like it’s going to be a yearly thing. Drained water out of heater tank as it will not be used till February. Hope this slows degradation..

alanmalk · 12-16-2021, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcboyd

Received our 21C in January of this year. Replaced anode just last month. Locks like it’s going to be a yearly thing. Drained water out of heater tank as it will not be used till February. Hope this slows degradation..

Yep - Texas water; is not Pure Rocky Mountain Spring Water.

Dcboyd · 12-17-2021, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyv

Will use new rod for 6 weeks on Texas gulf. Don't know about water.

Aquifer water is great tasting but quite hard. Would not leave it in your water heater for any length of time.

escape artist · 12-17-2021, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

It is a sacrificial metal. Its whole purpose to to dissolve, instead of the tank dissolving, so I would think that rapid dissolving in some conditions is desirable.

Hi: gbaglo... I wouldn't want this thread to dissolve into oblivion!!!

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie