Anode in Hot Water Tank

[turbodiesel]

Hi, All,

We have a 2012 300C, and I was looking in the manual for the hot water tank the other day for the location of the sacrificial anode. By looking at the manual, it appears this tank doesn't have one...?

Anyone know if there is one and if it's replaceable?

Thanks!

 

[danemayer]

Suburban Water Heaters have anode rods. Atwoods do not.

 

[turbodiesel]

Suburban Water Heaters have anode rods. Atwoods do not.

Thanks, Dan...that simplifies things.

Dave

 

[cmac6506]

ATF: Big Country - Missing Anode Rod

Hi, this may be a silly question but our 2014 Big Country 3650 did not come with an anode rod. Can you tell me what size of rod should be used or if it needs one. There is nothing in the owner manual that indicates that it requires one.

Thanks for your help.

 

[danemayer]

Re: ATF: Big Country - Missing Anode Rod

Hi cmac6506,

Welcome to the Heartland Owners Forum. It's not a silly question at all. You probably have an Atwood Water Heater which doesn't use an anode rod. Suburban units do. Atwood uses a different design that doesn't need one.

 

[cmac6506]

Any idea why the Atwood's don't have one? Our heater actually had a lot of minerals around the drain plug.

 

[danemayer]

From Atwood documentation:

This heater has a comparable, if not superior, anode type protection for the tank. The tank is manufactured
with a clad aluminum lining that protects against corrosion but does not need to be replaced yearly as an
anode rod.

The Atwood water heater tank is constructed of a core of high strength aluminum. The interior of the tank consists of a
15% thickness of type 7072 aluminum (pure aluminum and zinc) that is fused to the core during the rolling process.
This material protects the tank from the affects of heavy metals and salts found in waters throughout the country. It is
anodic to these heavy metals and acts much like an anode in a steel glass lined tank except it will last much longer.
There is also no need to replace an anode on a yearly basis.
Flushing the tank on a regular basis has been found to be helpful in insuring the best performance of your water hater
and adding to the useful life of the tank. For flushing instructions see your owners manual or contact Atwood for a copy
of our recommended procedures.

 

[cmac6506]

Thanks for the help in understanding!