Anode water heater replacement issue help

Wyatt · 03-01-2020, 12:45 AM

Having not been able to look at the anode in the water heater when the unit was new, (we bought a 2018 model new in 2019 so water may have been sitting in the tank for as long as a year and a half). I have no idea what it looked
like when it was new, nor what percentage weight it had originally. I’m including a picture of the anode I removed today when I flushed the hot water tank I’m wondering if anyone can tell me if there is useful life left, or should I replace it? I’m thinking it’s probably good for a while still. Thoughts?

be happy · 03-01-2020, 05:05 AM

For the little cost of a new one, go new. I would say that the one in the picture has seen its better days. Again as long as you have it out replace with new.

Morich · 03-01-2020, 09:19 AM

WOW! that is some damage for such a short period of time. I might ask around if that is common or did they sell a defect. Maybe even a used anode?
I would definitely go for new as the parts which flake off are going somewhere and I don't want to chase them down out of the aerators and faucets. I have never seen an anode that bad! But that is likely to be a different level in different situations. If this is a heater that has 110 AC as an option, I might look/research why it might fail so quickly.

Oldchinahand · 03-01-2020, 08:05 PM

I suggest you replace it. Here's another thread on the subject, including need on Atwood heaters. I am in the "even Atwood's" camp.

https://www.winnieowners.com/forums/...od-355171.html

Also link to discussion of galvanic corrosion.

https://pdhonline.com/courses/s118/s118content.pdf

Fair Winds and Following Seas

Wyatt · 03-01-2020, 08:57 PM

I just found this diagram in the suburban water heater manual. Was on the very last page and I think I missed it. Thank you for all your input though I appreciate it greatly

jcr5353 · 03-01-2020, 09:04 PM

Doesn't look that bad to me. Mine have gotten like that in a similar timeframe. It does look like a lot of teflon wrap on the threads though. I would make sure you have good continuity between the tank and the rod after you re-install or install a new one.

calendarboy · 03-08-2020, 06:12 PM

Be sure to replace it with a magnesium anode, not an aluminum version.

It is a sacrificial anode. You want it to give up mass. You'll see aluminum anodes being advertised as lasting longer. Yes, that's true, but you want it to "wear out".

mileshuff · 03-08-2020, 06:18 PM

When inspecting anode rods I use the exact same test when I pull spark plugs to inspect to determine if they are good or new ones should be used. Place them in a bucket of water. Bad ones will sink and should be replaced with new ones. In other words, if you've removed them, for the cost just replace with new.

Wyatt · 03-08-2020, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calendarboy

Be sure to replace it with a magnesium anode, not an aluminum version.

It is a sacrificial anode. You want it to give up mass. You'll see aluminum anodes being advertised as lasting longer. Yes, that's true, but you want it to "wear out".

Today I replaced the old Anode rod with a new Magnesium rod. The threshold for replacement, according to Suburban, is when the WEIGHT is less than 75% of a new one, but they do not tell you what a “New” one weighs, so it’s hard to know when you weigh your old rod, if it’s within tolerance.

The new rod weighed 6.45 ounces. If it lost 75% of its useful life, it would weigh only 1.61 ounces, if I did that math right.

Mine weighed 4.83, so clearly within THIER suggested tolerances, but I changed it out anyway. It was a mess inside, littered with dead anode rod debris.

I thought I had drained the hot water tank the other day when I looked at it, but it filled back up when I added some fresh water. So today’s replacement was a bit of a surprise when water came flying out at me under a great deal of pressure. Good news is it flushed out any remaining debris, better news is the water was cold....

calendarboy · 03-08-2020, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyatt

Today I replaced the old Anode rod with a new Magnesium rod. The threshold for replacement, according to Suburban, is when the WEIGHT is less than 75% of a new one ...

The new rod weighed 6.45 ounces. If it lost 75% of its useful life, it would weigh only 1.61 ounces, if I did that math right.
.

NO! You said Suburban said if it weighs LESS than 75%. Not if it has lost more than 75%.

The math would by .75 times the 6.45 oz. = 4.8375 ounces. If it is below that, they are saying it should be replaced.