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12-07-2019, 12:33 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 29FE Freedom Elite
State: Idaho
Posts: 17
THOR #15730
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Brass plug on water heater
So I'm reading an RV magazine and specifically an article about appliance maintenance. And in that article regarding the water heater inspection it mentions if your water heater has an aluminum tank such as Atwood, inspect the plastic plug for signs of leaking. Then it states: Avoid using metal drain plugs such as steel or brass. Galvanic corrosion will occur, which can lead to the threads rusting together. This makes the plug very difficult to remove.
I had a plastic plug on my water heater and the head was rounding off making it difficult to install or remove correctly with a socket. I replaced it with a "sturdy" brass plug and was quite pleased with myself until I read the above. Should I change it back to plastic? Your thoughts please.
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12-07-2019, 12:53 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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12-07-2019, 01:23 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31S
State: Texas
Posts: 4,157
THOR #6411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27
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Jim & Roy Davis
2016 Hurricane 31S
1961 Rampside in tow
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12-07-2019, 04:46 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Texas
Posts: 2,672
THOR #11781
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Yup, buy a two pack of the plastics and you'll be good for years.
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Lt Keefer
2018 Hurricane 29M
CHF, Saf-T-Plus, SumoSprings
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12-07-2019, 09:15 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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Yes again! Leaving the brass plug in would be ok short term but long term use will get expensive, get the plastic. The original is a nylon type plastic, you can get a pvc plug at any hardware store, it will be a little more sturdy.
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12-07-2019, 02:44 PM
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#6
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Do you remember when your house had an electrical panel full of screw-in fuses? Using a brass plug is about like replacing one of those fuses with a penny...
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12-07-2019, 04:06 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 29FE Freedom Elite
State: Idaho
Posts: 17
THOR #15730
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Thanks, guys for your answers. It's obvious I made the wrong choice and when it comes out of storage a new plastic plug goes in the water heater. Thanks again.
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12-07-2019, 04:49 PM
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#8
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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We learn by adking; so you absolutely did the right thing!
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12-07-2019, 04:49 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
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I don't know that I would wait that long.....go now.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
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12-07-2019, 04:53 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
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The GREAT thing about this forum is people helping people. I’ve been doing this a long time and still learn new things here. BIG Thank You to everyone who contributes!!!
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12-07-2019, 04:56 PM
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#11
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Well... It's not being used at all; I can't see much (if any) damage happening.
Do what makes you feel the most. Comfortable.
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12-07-2019, 10:08 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Model: 3719 Newmar
State: Arkansas
Posts: 656
THOR #14120
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzmann
Thanks, guys for your answers. It's obvious I made the wrong choice and when it comes out of storage a new plastic plug goes in the water heater. Thanks again.
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I always pick up knowledge just shortly after I need it.
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12-08-2019, 12:17 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.2
State: Colorado
Posts: 217
THOR #15515
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Same here.
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12-08-2019, 01:10 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jazzmann
Thanks, guys for your answers. It's obvious I made the wrong choice and when it comes out of storage a new plastic plug goes in the water heater. Thanks again.
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How long before it comes out of storage? Might want to do it a little sooner. Galvanic corrosion starts as soon as dissimilar metals contact each other.
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12-08-2019, 01:29 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lt Keefer
Yup, buy a two pack of the plastics and you'll be good for years.
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I bought 2 about 6 years ago. Still have for use in the new coach in a couple years. I dry winterize 2 or 3 times a year and wet winterize at least once so I put some use on those drain plugs. Get a good 6 point socket and the plug will last longer. 12 point sockets trash the plugs in a hurry. There’s a reason to go tool shopping.
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12-08-2019, 02:00 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS
How long before it comes out of storage? Might want to do it a little sooner. Galvanic corrosion starts as soon as dissimilar metals contact each other.
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This is true but if the tank is dry he's probably OK as the other requirement for galvanic corrosion is an electrolytic solution (like high mineral content water).
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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12-08-2019, 03:01 PM
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#17
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27
This is true but if the tank is dry he's probably OK as the other requirement for galvanic corrosion is an electrolytic solution (like high mineral content water).
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My wallet could afford a trip to storage to remove a brass plug before it could afford to replace a water heater. What can the OP’s afford?
Can you guarantee that the water heater was 100% empty before the brass plug was put in the tank. I have seen galvanic corrosion in a few months because of humidity and/or proximity to salt water.
Again, what can the OP’s wallet afford?
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12-08-2019, 03:18 PM
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#18
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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I suppose that it all depends upon how much "Peace of mind"; is worth to someone...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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12-09-2019, 01:30 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2016 Siesta Sprinter 24ST
State: Florida
Posts: 602
THOR #2812
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When the brass plug and the tank threads react, They grow together.. It's likely the plug will be difficult to remove and will take the aluminum threads with it.
__________________
U.S. Coast Guard retired- 1956-1985
Pensacola, Florida
2016 Siesta 24ST
1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado
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12-09-2019, 01:39 AM
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#20
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hooligan2
When the brass plug and the tank threads react, They grow together.. It's likely the plug will be difficult to remove and will take the aluminum threads with it.
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Same happens with TPMS sensors and tire valves if one is not mindful.
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