Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
norisez

Anode rod damage to atwood tank?

Recommended Posts

I am posting this to attract the attention of wolfe10 whose posts indicate he really knows this topic.  All others are invited to reply, as well.

My used 2003 Southwind came with an Atwood GC10A-3E water heater, which worked OK.  Being of a cautious nature, I decided that I ought to replace the anode rod, not realiz..ing at that time that Atwoods did not require and could be damaged by one.  When I pulled out the drain petcock, there it was, an almost eaten away anode rod of unknown age.  Apparently, one of the two previpous owners had installed it at some time unknown to me.  Anyway, my question is, could this have sufficiently damaged the tank that it should be replaced?  Assume that the rod's fitting was steel.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Only real issue is "have the water tank threads been damaged.

If an Atwood nylon drain plug (i.e. under $2 each) seal the drain, you are OK.

If it does not seal, next step would be to buy and use a tap to clean the threads.

If that doesn't work, then, yes you may have to replace the tank.  But, I would suspect the likelihood of needing to do this at under 5%.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Noriser,  Welcome to the FMCA Forum !

 The tap needed to clean the treads is a 1/2 - 14 Tapered pipe Tap - The Mating Die is 1/2 in. NPT  die.

This is not a standard stock item for many location like Lowe's or Home depot.  Alfa tools is one supplier

Rich.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome to the forum. If you were close I would loan you my tap. Like Brett I doubt you have any damage that can't be cleaned up with the tap.

Bill

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Any hardware store should have a 1/2 npt tap 

and if unable to get one get a nipple and put three cuts across threads the use it to clean the threads 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks all for the responses!  Yes, I am somewhat a newbie to FMCA, but not to RVing.

@wolfe10  One of my concerns is if the tank's integrity has been compromised by <=15y of galvanic action.

@DickandLois @WILDEBILL308 @bm02tj    

I will take your advice if/when it becomes apparent that the threads need chased.  BTW, would a standard nylon plug from ACE serve as well, or is Atwood using a special high temp version?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

NO.  With an aluminum tank which the Atwood water heater has,  I would spend the big bucks (under $2) and buy an Atwood plug.  Metal plugs will have galvanic corrosion.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
8 hours ago, norisez said:

Thanks all for the responses!  Yes, I am somewhat a newbie to FMCA, but not to RVing.

@wolfe10  One of my concerns is if the tank's integrity has been compromised by <=15y of galvanic action.

@DickandLois @WILDEBILL308 @bm02tj    

I will take your advice if/when it becomes apparent that the threads need chased.  BTW, would a standard nylon plug from ACE serve as well, or is Atwood using a special high temp version?

The one from ACE maynot be NPT pitch. Most plugs are tubing thread pitch. That is why you should be cautious about using the proper thread pitch. Trying to thread a tubing (brass) plug will start but will damage the NPT threads. 

Bill

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
4 hours ago, wolfe10 said:

NO.  With an aluminum tank which the Atwood water heater has,  I would spend the big bucks (under $2) and buy an Atwood plug.  Metal plugs will have galvanic corrosion.

Brett is right. Atwood heater go with Atwood plug. 

Herman 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
4 minutes ago, campcop said:

When we had an Atwood, the plug was part of annual maintenance..

Good answer.

And flush the minerals out at the same time!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good question.

Big difference is that the over-pressure valve is virtually permanent--- may have to be replaced ONCE in the life of the water heater, where the drain plug is removed at least once a year.

So thread integrity is much more critical for the drain plug.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...