Checking the anode has been on my to do list since a thread or two made me aware of what can happen.

I was working on a couple of jobs in the van and decided to have a look at the HWS anode. After finding a suitable tool I removed the anode with these results. Yuck!!! I will need to flush out and replace anode..

Aussie Paul. 

Should have been replaced some time ago by the look of it. Suggest you change it before all of the alloy has gone usually around every 12 months. I check mine very 6 to 8 months and always carry a spare. Leaving replacement too long will increase the rate of corrosion of the tank. The regular checks also ensure the tread doesn't get corroded up making the removal difficult and it can be flushed out at the same time.

Just replaced mine too .. the first one with the new van.

Fortunately I don't over-use it and the anode-alloy was was about 50% of the original ..

'twas my first shot at doing it and found it quite an easy process ..

Bruce and Bev wrote:

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Ive got a Swift s.s. hot water system with no anode.

Has anyone had one for a few years and have they had any problems with the Swift system or the s.s. rusting??

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Hi

Stainless steel tanks do not require an anode

The right type of stainless steel [there are many types] must be used

The anode life in those tank requiring an anode will be determined by water quality [mineral content]

Anodes can have very short lives if the water is highly mineralised [bore water etc]

In those situations, either check every 6months or change to an Aluminium  anode.

PeterQ

aussie_paul wrote:

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Checking the anode has been on my to do list since a thread or two made me aware of what can happen.

I was working on a couple of jobs in the van and decided to have a look at the HWS anode. After finding a suitable tool I removed the anode with these results. Yuck!!! I will need to flush out and replace anode..

Aussie Paul. 

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 I reckon you've had a good run from that anode LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjEPy21nIrQ

I made a flushing wand as shown in the link. Did a good job of flushing all the muck out.

Cheers

Jeff

 Hi all ,the you tube video in Sharke,s post was interesting if only for the winterising option the fellow in the video had on his RV .Never seen any on the vans I have looked at ,all I can do when replacing my anode is flush the tank out with my homemade wand .Has anyone out there got a winterising thingo on there hot water tank ,and also can they be installed in a existing system.

cruisaderhilton wrote:

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 Hi all ,the you tube video in Sharke,s post was interesting if only for the winterising option the fellow in the video had on his RV .Never seen any on the vans I have looked at ,all I can do when replacing my anode is flush the tank out with my homemade wand .Has anyone out there got a winterising thingo on there hot water tank ,and also can they be installed in a existing system.

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 Hi  

I doubt that you will find any in Aus

It in itself could hardly be called a winterizing system 

All It does is neutralise  the residue that may be in the tank or on the tank walls

The only winterising is leaving the tank full of water with the POWER still on to stop it freezing

 I could not find a tube spanner anywhere on the net or at any hardware shops to fit my hot water element on the caravan so I made one myself out of 2" gal pipe 6 sided to fit the element , 8" long with hole in the end to take a bit of 6mm bar.