Water Heater Maintenence

Hey Jim · Guru

Water Heater Maintenence

Tony Bev · Guru

I shall reply Jim, before the topic gets lost, as the answer may be helpful to someone else
I do not have an anode in my Truma hot water heater, so I can not give any personal input

But...
The mob below say yes, drain the water
Question and answer from a website that do caravan repairs

Quote
2. Are all Suburban Hot Water Heaters equipped with an Anode Rod? What is its function? When should it be changed?
YES - all Suburban water heaters feature an anode rod. The anode equalises aggressive water action, providing cathodic protection for the tank. It is a very important factor in tank life & should only be removed for inspection, draining or replacement. It is removable using a 1-1/16" thin wall socket. Under normal use, the anode rod will deteriorate. Because of this we recommend it be replaced bi-annually or when consumption or weight loss of the rod is greater than 75%.

Note: Water with high levels of iron &/or sulphate will increase the rate of deterioration. To extend anode life, drain water from tank whenever the RV is not being used. Avoid any extended time of non-use with water in the tank.
Unquote

Dick0 · Guru

I keep a record of the date when I change the anode yearly and flush the heater at this time...so once a year is sufficient for hot water heater maintenance. I flush the fresh water tanks, and the toilet flush tank annually also.

Radar · Guru

Any chance of a photo or 2 of the area where the Truma hot water heater has the anode.

We have a 14 litre Truma hot water service and I have looked on the parts list and have not worked out where the anode is, been busy doing up my second hand caravan and it on my list which is long but slowly getting shorter.

Tony Bev · Guru

Radar wrote:
Any chance of a photo or 2 of the area where the Truma hot water heater has the anode.
We have a 14 litre Truma hot water service and I have looked on the parts list and have not worked out where the anode is, been busy doing up my second hand caravan and it on my list which is long but slowly getting shorter.

Sorry if I have confused you Radar

I do not have an anode in my Truma hot water heater

Quote of my original post
I shall reply Jim, before the topic gets lost, as the answer may be helpful to someone else
I do not have an anode in my Truma hot water heater, so I can not give any personal input
Unquote

OwenK · Senior Member

Hi Radar, I don't have a Truma hot water service but a mate has one, he told me they don't have an anode because they have a stainless steel tank.

Cheers Owen.

Radar · Guru

Tony Bev wrote:
Radar wrote:
Any chance of a photo or 2 of the area where the Truma hot water heater has the anode.
We have a 14 litre Truma hot water service and I have looked on the parts list and have not worked out where the anode is, been busy doing up my second hand caravan and it on my list which is long but slowly getting shorter.
Sorry if I have confused you Radar
I do not have an anode in my Truma hot water heater
Quote of my original post
I shall reply Jim, before the topic gets lost, as the answer may be helpful to someone else
I do not have an anode in my Truma hot water heater, so I can not give any personal input
Unquote

Thank you.

I am all most certain my don't but I do need to learn more about maintance of the new toy.

Radar · Guru

OwenK wrote:
Hi Radar, I don't have a Truma hot water service but a mate has one, he told me they don't have an anode because they have a stainless steel tank.
Cheers Owen.

My last hot water heater was a billy over the fire.

Now I have gotten civilised I need to learn more about these things.

OwenK · Senior Member

Hi Radar, getting to know all about your new van is great (more knowledge) is always a good thing. Enjoy it.

PS. I loved the photo of your Fuso in another post, I drove one like that years ago (when things were uncomplicated), and better.

Cheers Owen.

rrobor · Veteran Member

It is circulation that causes electrolysis. When you heat water, the sides of the vessel is cooler than the center. If you heat water at the bottom of the tank it will circulate up the center whilst the cooler water circulates down the sides. As such, any tank that is not heated does not need an anode. Then draining the tank just to stop the anode getting eaten is not needed.

Liam McGlinn · Newbie

I observed that mostly failure of water heater occurs due to corrosion and its continuous use for years. Generally people don't give much attention to such things in the beginning and then suffers afterwards when the problem becomes unbearable. It will be a prevention if they get it checked regularly after some of time by some professional plumber.

-- Edited by Liam McGlinn on Thursday 23rd of March 2017 05:59:41 PM

OutbackMK · Senior Member

I remove the anode and drop the tank when not in use....
VERY IMPORTANT.
Make sure the water is on and the hot water lines run till water exits before turning on power or you will cook you hot water heater elements.
With my Jayco it has a switch for 240 volts or gas so I leave mine on gas every time I disconnect from power.
If you forget and plug in at a van park and the water is cold much better than burnt out heater.
Spoke to a mate today he mentioned he was dropping the water tanks for his run up the range as he could get fresh water that night where he was camping, good idea just reduced his load by 250 kg but again he will need to fill and prime before turning on the power to the heater.
Brian