anode location

[Witzend]

Anyone ever change the anode on the stock 20gal water heater? If so, did you have to pull the unit to gain access?

 

[gpd955]

Glad you asked this. Was on my list of things to do before spring and I was going to ask the same thing.

 

[rpwillia]

It has an Anode?

Would be interesting to know where it is and what the part number is.

 

[valcour]

Never installed one but it appears they are available here http://www.seawardproducts.com/waterhtr.htm
and here
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|10172|319679&id=1038669

 

[rpwillia]

Looks a lot like ...

Never installed one but it appears they are available here http://www.seawardproducts.com/waterhtr.htm
and here
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|10172|319679&id=1038669

the anode's we put into the heat exchanger. Wonder if those would fit, as I have a spare or two already on the boat.

 

[Witzend]

Not sure about that, 1/2" thread seems too big, but could probably find them @ West Marine.

 

[Tom J]

The anode in my RV's hot water heater is about 10" long and about 1/2" wide. Wonder if the one in our boats is similar?

 

[rpwillia]

After I winterize

The anode in my RV's hot water heater is about 10" long and about 1/2" wide. Wonder if the one in our boats is similar?

yeah, I am holding out, but once I winterize, I will take advantage of that heater bypass I put in last year (which helps drain the heater) and find the anode and pull it out. Perhaps this time I can remember the camera and get pictures.

 

[Bob James]

One more bit of maintenance in an area of the boat where my fat butt doesn't fit. How necessary is this maintenance guys?

 

[rpwillia]

I am not sure I would get too worried.

One more bit of maintenance in an area of the boat where my fat butt doesn't fit. How necessary is this maintenance guys?

My $0.02

 

[Tom J]

Not sure how necessary it is to check the heater anode. This is first time I've winterized the boat since I bought it in 2005. But, since the boat is 7 years old, (hull # 231) I think I'll check it in the spring, when I remove the bypass.

 

[Witzend]

Stinky hot water is a clue to a need to replace the anode.
BTW, I took off the cover for the input AC power connections to see if that was where the access to the anode is, not. I guess I will have to pull the HF2000 to find it.
I did discover that the ground connection was completely corroded off.
For obvious saftey reasons, might want to check yours.

 

[rpwillia]

I did an RTFM

Don't see any anode listed anywhere. Here is the drawing. Have I missed something or am I correct? :dance:

 

[Witzend]

Your correct, maybe there isn't one. Would seem silly to design without, but if there was it should be on the side with all the other fittings?

 

[valcour]

From the second link in post #4 above "...attach [anode] in place of the drain plug and it will help inhibit such corrosion." My heater has a gate valve with a garden hose fitting for the drain, but I suppose you could exchange for a zinc.

 

[rpwillia]

Valcour wins the prize!

First I am surprised PaulJ wasn't all over that. I guess if you are worried about your heater you replace the drain with the anode.

 

[Witzend]

Accually with the correct fittings you could have both. I don't like the current drain valve anyway, very difficult to attach a drain hose fitting to because of interfearence with the EX input fitting from engine, or is that the return, I'm not sure it makes a difference.

 

[valcour]

I ran a permanent piece of hose from the drain up forward to the bilge so I don't have to mess with it to winterize the H20.

 

[Witzend]

I don't dump the 20 gal of water into my bilge and make my pump work unnecessarily.
I have a washing machine supply stub hose connected to the drain on the water heater. This makes it easier to connect a hose to it. To drain I take a 12' garden hose fill the hose with water block the end, connect the other end the stub and siphon it out, I fill it the same way. I also siphon out my water tank. Anything to keep those pumps from extra duty.

 

[Tom J]

Actually, the anode in my RV's water heater is the drain plug. Could easily work the same way on the boat. I usually just drain the heater right into the aft bilge anyway. Helps to flush all those salt crystals that build up in that area.