Water heater anode

[Hoser123]

2018 Outlaw 37rb; does anyone know where the hot water tank anode is? I took the plug out and it's not there.

[Travelin' Texans]

If you have an Atwood water heater they do not have an anode rod, only Suburban heaters.

[Laco]

Didn't know only Suburban had them. Having an anode rod definitely adds life to the water heater, as long as you change it annually.

[beeryboats]

I've been looking for the anode in our Windsport 29M for months. It's brand new and the hot water smells like rotten eggs from our well water. I pulled the plastic drain plug last weekend when I winterized it and still don't see it.

[DocP]

Originally Posted by beeryboats

I've been looking for the anode in our Windsport 29M for months. It's brand new and the hot water smells like rotten eggs from our well water. I pulled the plastic drain plug last weekend when I winterized it and still don't see it.

As noted in an earlier response, only the Suburban water heaters have an anode. Since yours has a plastic drain plug, I'm betting that you have an Atwood water heater (like my Hurricane 35M), and there is no anode rod.

[Porkchop]

Atwood heaters have a plastic plug and a stainless steel tank. Do not require an anoid rod. Only Suburban.

Bill

[Laco]

Wonder what the life expectancy for a water heater with no anode rod, vs one with that is serviced annually? I know the Suburban I had in my former DP went 12 years without a hint of trouble, and others I know of are still going at fifteen + years.

[cpmath]

Jeez, Atwood heaters have a usable life of 20 plus years. They have stainless steel tanks, thus as others have said, no anode, not necessary.

[Travelin' Texans]

IIRC Atwood heaters are glass lined stainless tanks, so wouldn't think I'd concern myself for a looong time.

[beeryboats]

You can't fool me, there's an anode in there somewhere. Anytime you add well water to a heater with an anode it will stink. Take it out and no issues, at least with the smell. I took it out of our fifth wheel and was told it would void the warranty. But it fixed the smell. I did the same at our vacation house before that. If you use water every day it's not an issue. But let it set a week and then take a good hit. Whew!