We have just replaced the anode in our MH, hot water system - the second one in three years. The first one we took out was kept by the people we got the new one from, as an example of how bad they can get.
The one we just replaced was pretty badly corroded, and almost worn or eaten away near the bolt at the top. If it had broken it would have dropped into the water tank, don't know if it would do any damage, but caught in time..
So a warning to all with a Suburban brand HWS - check your anode - today!
Jules, you'll find if you put a water filter in front of your inlet, you can double the life of your anode. Also, only heat up the water for when you need it, maybe 20 mins prior.
Larry
rockylizard said
04:49 PM Aug 22, 2014
Gday...
Excellent advice Jules - and for those who may not have seen it before, the attached file may help
Better the sacrificial anode does it's job rather than the entire unit needing to go to HWS heaven. Once exposed to water the irreversible sacrificial action begins so even if you van is sitting in your yard the action continues to save the water service . They normally only have a short life of 18 months to 2 years some may feel that they have got fives years out of some ???????
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Friday 22nd of August 2014 05:48:29 PM
oldtrack123 said
05:48 PM Aug 22, 2014
HI
Since it is the mineral content of the water that affects Anode life, I do not see a mechanical fliter/ strainer doing ANY good in that regard.
PeterQ
Phil C said
10:31 AM Aug 23, 2014
We have spent most of our time in SA with its toxic suburban water. When we were in the burbs I have to change the anode every 9 months as the old ones would be about 80%.
We are now on rain water out in the sticks, and the anode is not too bad (about 50%) after 6 months. We have an in line dual filter just for taste and to clear some mud.
Anodes are a delight when they work and get installed properly. Make sure there is good metal to metal contact at the thread then start the teflon tape. The anode cant do the galvanic action unless it has a good circuit.
Safe travels
deverall11 said
10:50 AM Aug 23, 2014
oldtrack123 wrote:
HI Since it is the mineral content of the water that affects Anode life, I do not see a mechanical fliter/ strainer doing ANY good in that regard.
PeterQ
Are you speaking from experience or just tongue wagging. My post stems from ACTUAL experience.
oldtrack123 said
12:36 PM Aug 23, 2014
deverall11 wrote:
oldtrack123 wrote:
HI Since it is the mineral content of the water that affects Anode life, I do not see a mechanical fliter/ strainer doing ANY good in that regard.
PeterQ
Are you speaking from experience or just tongue wagging. My post stems from ACTUAL experience.
HI
Actual experience, & knowing the fact that it is the mineral content[ conductivity] of the water that determines the current flow from the anode & therefor it's consumption rate!!
The set up is actually a primary cell battery
Perhaps you can explain just how a mechanical filter can remove dissolved mineral content!!
A demineralising filter will help with longer life , but you did not specify THAT & certainly THAT is not what most use!!
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 12:38:05 PM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 12:48:00 PM
oldtrack123 said
12:45 PM Aug 23, 2014
Phil C wrote:
We have spent most of our time in SA with its toxic suburban water. When we were in the burbs I have to change the anode every 9 months as the old ones would be about 80%.
Anodes are a delight when they work and get installed properly. Make sure there is good metal to metal contact at the thread then start the teflon tape. The anode cant do the galvanic action unless it has a good circuit.
Safe travels
HI Phil
I am sure you KNOW why the anodes do not last long on SA water
It is the extremely high MINERAL content
The standard magnesium anodes are generally not recommended for such situations
Aluminium Anodes last much longer & still do the protection job, but can leave a slight odour in the water
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 12:49:14 PM
jules47 said
01:55 PM Aug 26, 2014
Glad that people are looking at this post - might save them some money in the long run!!! That was my intention when I posted.
Phil C said
06:11 PM Sep 2, 2014
oldtrack123 wrote:
Phil C wrote:
We have spent most of our time in SA with its toxic suburban water. When we were in the burbs I have to change the anode every 9 months as the old ones would be about 80%.
Anodes are a delight when they work and get installed properly. Make sure there is good metal to metal contact at the thread then start the teflon tape. The anode cant do the galvanic action unless it has a good circuit.
Safe travels
HI Phil
I am sure you KNOW why the anodes do not last long on SA water
It is the extremely high MINERAL content
The standard magnesium anodes are generally not recommended for such situations
Aluminium Anodes last much longer & still do the protection job, but can leave a slight odour in the water
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 12:49:14 PM
Thanks for that PeterQ. I was aware that the mineralised water will create more galvanic action but have had little experience with the aluminium anodes. Is aluminium higher on the triboelectric scale? Or is it higher noble metal?
We have just replaced the anode in our MH, hot water system - the second one in three years. The first one we took out was kept by the people we got the new one from, as an example of how bad they can get.
The one we just replaced was pretty badly corroded, and almost worn or eaten away near the bolt at the top. If it had broken it would have dropped into the water tank, don't know if it would do any damage, but caught in time..
So a warning to all with a Suburban brand HWS - check your anode - today!
will do
brian
Larry
Gday...
Excellent advice Jules - and for those who may not have seen it before, the attached file may help
Cheers - John
Better the sacrificial anode does it's job rather than the entire unit needing to go to HWS heaven. Once exposed to water the irreversible sacrificial action begins so even if you van is sitting in your yard the action continues to save the water service . They normally only have a short life of 18 months to 2 years some may feel that they have got fives years out of some ???????
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Friday 22nd of August 2014 05:48:29 PM
HI
Since it is the mineral content of the water that affects Anode life, I do not see a mechanical fliter/ strainer doing ANY good in that regard.
PeterQ
We are now on rain water out in the sticks, and the anode is not too bad (about 50%) after 6 months. We have an in line dual filter just for taste and to clear some mud.
Anodes are a delight when they work and get installed properly. Make sure there is good metal to metal contact at the thread then start the teflon tape. The anode cant do the galvanic action unless it has a good circuit.
Safe travels
Are you speaking from experience or just tongue wagging. My post stems from ACTUAL experience.
HI
Actual experience, & knowing the fact that it is the mineral content[ conductivity] of the water that determines the current flow from the anode & therefor it's consumption rate!!
The set up is actually a primary cell battery
Perhaps you can explain just how a mechanical filter can remove dissolved mineral content!!
A demineralising filter will help with longer life , but you did not specify THAT & certainly THAT is not what most use!!
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 12:38:05 PM
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 12:48:00 PM
HI Phil
I am sure you KNOW why the anodes do not last long on SA water
It is the extremely high MINERAL content
The standard magnesium anodes are generally not recommended for such situations
Aluminium Anodes last much longer & still do the protection job, but can leave a slight odour in the water
PeterQ
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 12:49:14 PM
Thanks for that PeterQ. I was aware that the mineralised water will create more galvanic action but have had little experience with the aluminium anodes. Is aluminium higher on the triboelectric scale? Or is it higher noble metal?
I will ill search about for an aluminium anode.
Cheers again Peter.