RV Maintenance - changing out the Anode Rod step by step

This whole post is about changing out the old anode rod in The Palms' hot water heater tank.  Pretty exciting stuff!  I checked various places to make sure I did it all correctly, so now I have the steps here in one post for next year.  :)

Last Tuesday I changed out my hot water heater's anode rod.  I had checked it early September 2013 and it looked pretty good so I left it in place, but I knew I should check it again in a few months.  It's now almost four months later, and I was glad I checked it.  It has deteriorated quite a bit since September.

I went through all the steps I did in September, except this time I put a new rod in.  I always have my water off unless I'm using it, so I didn't have to turn it off, but I did double check the switch.  I also never heat water unless I need it, so there was no hot water to worry about.  All I did to start was turn on all the taps so there was no water in the lines.

Suburban hot water heater:

Old rusty head of the anode rod below - it's normal for the head of the anode rod to be rusty after a year of use. 

Using my special 1 1/16 wrench to remove the anode rod:

I used the closed end first, from the side, and then came at it from the top.

There isn't much room to maneuver and I use both ends of the wrench to get things started, so next I used the open end and got it a little looser from the side.

Then I used the open end from the top.

Little by little, using both ends of the wrench switching from the side to the top, it started really loosening, and finally I was able to unscrew the last part by hand and take out the anode rod.  I was really curious about how much more would have worn away in the last four months, and there was a definite difference.

As soon as the rod was out, the water in the hot water heater tank came flowing out, and with it some residue from the inside of the tank.

My tank holds 6 gallons, and here it is on the desert floor.

The water flows out until the tank is empty.

I have the tool that attaches to a hose that can be used to REALLY flush out the tank.  It shoots water into the tank, and you wiggle it around to hit all the sides, top and bottom, dislodging anything that's attached to the walls.  You're supposed to do that for 15 minutes.  Since I don't have a water spigot here in the site, I didn't do that this time.  The water coming out was pretty clear, so while there was still water flowing, I decided to get my small bottle brush and wiggle IT around and pull it back to bring out additional debris, and it seemed to work well.  More while flakes came out with the water.

Wow, look at that huge piece!

Then I got the new anode rod ready.  I wrapped some plumbing tape around the threads and brought it outside.

Here it is, ready to install.

And in it goes - perfect!

Unfortunately I couldn't get it to start screwing in, so I got out a little wire brush to clean away some of the rust inside the opening.

The brush didn't fit inside the opening, but the little bit at the top worked well to clean around the threads in the front.

I used a water filled catsup squeeze bottle and shot some clean water onto the threads.

Meanwhile, I gave myself this badge for thinking of the wire brush and catsup bottle to flush out the rust:

So then I tried again, and it still wouldn't start threading.  Oh yeah, I remembered then - When Ron changed the first one for me, he said to put the tape on the outside half of the threads, otherwise it won't screw in. So I took the tape off the inside threads . . .

. . . and it worked.  I couldn't get the entire head of the rod screwed in, though, I think there is just too much rust inside for the threads to go any further, but it looks like this is going to work.  I'm going to have to find something to clean away more of the rusted threads, but it looks like this will work.

Looking good:

Then I turned on the water switch inside The Palms, and turned off the  kitchen and bathroom faucets.  When the water heater seemed full, I checked for leaks, and there were a few drops, less than in September, though, so I put a small piece of paper towel under the rod so I could monitor it and make sure it is only a little and will stop.  When I checked later, there were no leaks.

I turned on the taps in the kitchen and bathroom.  Some air in the lines came sputtering out, and then a good stream of water started flowing.

Below are the three anode rods we've used so far in The Palms.  The top one was removed on October 4, 2012 by Ron, the RV Master Tech who checked out The Palms when we were at Bluewater Lake State Park in NM.  We thought it was the original rod.

Here's the anode rod for my model Suburban hot water heater in it's package.  I already have a link to Amazon.com on the right side of my blog if you need to order one.  Check your user's guide, though, and make sure you get the right model number for your Suburban HWH.

That's a good job done - for another year.  If your hot water heater uses anode rods, make sure you check it every year.  The first rod was changed out on October 4, 2012 and lasted 15 months, so I think checking them once a year is about right for the places I've been and the water I've used in my tanks from those places.  Note to calendar - Check Anode Rod every January.  :)

NOTE:  After reading Andy Baird's comment (thanks Andy) - and please read his comment on this post about the tape on the threads - I thought I'd better repeat this warning and not just leave a link to the first time I had my anode rode changed out in October 2012: 

There are two kinds of RV water heaters, Atwood and Suburban.  I have a Suburban and this kind uses the anode rods that wear away instead of the inside of the tank wearing away.  I need to check mine at least every six months.  The Atwood water heaters don't use these, and although Atwood makes anode rods for their tanks, according to Ron, they shouldn't be used.  They are not needed and will eventually cause problems with the Atwood tanks.

This is confirmed by info posted on the RVing message boards; Tech Talk.  A question was asked about using an anode rod in an Atwood water heater:

"The principal behind the sacrificial anode is that it attracts the charged water particles which cause rust.  Those particles then corrode the anode instead of the walls and seams of the water heater, thereby extending the life of the water heater. Atwood tanks are aluminum and should not need an anode rod. Suburban's are not and do need the rod. Talk to Atwood. I recall the the new tanks are aluminum and do not need an anode. It also may void your warranty. Check with Atwood."

If you're still reading, you love this stuff as much as I do.  LOL   Thanks for reading to the end.

Welcome to our newest Follower, Jan Mains! Jan and her husband, Bill, live in Casa Grande, AZ in a Stick and Bricks house, and travel part time in their RV, a Montana.  This year they stayed in Pilot Knob, Parker and Quartzsite, and in her last post about this season, she said this was the perfect year, and I couldn't agree more.  Jan, I've enjoyed the posts I've read in your blog, and plan to go back further to catch up a little more.  It looks really interesting!  I'm happy you are following along with me and Katie, Jan.   Welcome Aboard!.

From me and Katie, have a great Saturday, everybody!  I hope your team wins tomorrow!   :)

More RVer/Blog friend visits

Since we've moved across the road to La Posa North, Katie and I had visits from three of our favorite people - I'm going to miss this place where so many of our friends are.  It's funny, I don't even think of them as RVers or Bloggers any more.  They've become just friends now, and that's "a good thing."  (I'm channeling Martha.)

First Hazel and the two Big Dogs, her Greyhounds, Fleur and Power, have been by a few times.  The first time just to visit - with the dogs, and on Monday Hazel came back without the dogs and we went into town to do laundry and have lunch.  Yesterday we went to Parker for lunch and a Wal-Mart run.  She is still across the road in La Posa South camping with the Dingbats. 

Her dogs are perfectly behaved and always a pleasure to have around, whether we all sit inside The Palms, or outside in the shade.  I see Hazel so much, I seldom think of getting the camera out, and I forgot to get pictures again.  The photo below was taken on another day, but Hazel and Fleur and Power and the desert all still look the same.  :)  Check the link here to see Hazel and her beautiful dogs.

Then Denise came over for a visit on Tuesday afternoon. We always get together at least a couple of times.  We were camped in the same area early in the season and saw each other frequently then.  We're both in different LTVAs now, she likes to move around like I do.

Denise knows just about everyone it seems and rides her Harley to visit.  I always watch for her when I know she's coming so I can get photos.  :)  It's always kind of exciting to watch her roar up on that monster bike - she's so graceful riding it.

Geez, her bike looks bigger than my house!

She gave me some good information about tire monitors and I'm looking forward to her post when she gets hers in the mail and installs them. I might get the same ones next year when I'm in Quartzsite.  We sat in the yard and talked and talked and talked.

Denise wanted to get up on my roof and take a 360 degree video of the desert around us.  While we were up there she took a look at my tilting arms for the solar panels.  She's got some hardware that she doesn't use anymore that will make it easier for me to bring the panels up and down, and said she'd come by again to drop them off.  Thanks, Denise, I appreciate it!  We cleaned the dust off the panels while we were there - they were really dirty!  Then Denise roared off to the fresh water area to fill up her water bottles.  She didn't have Bennie with her because of the box of large empty bottles on the back of the bike. 

Nancy McKenna came by on Wednesday - she's camping with the Lazy Daze group right now, across the road from where Katie and I are camped and she walked over for a visit. 

We first met Nancy here - gosh, that was a great FREE campground!  Remember when Katie got bitten by the ferocious RED ANTS?  Nancy really helped me out that day.  Of course, I also got large critters in the engine compartment while we were there and left soon afterward to overnight a few nights at Wal-Mart - but still, beautiful campground.  And did I mention FREE? 
 

We had a great visit.  The weather was really nice so we sat outside and got caught up on each others lives since we last met.  And of course, Katie was a total pest - she still LOVES Nancy and kept trying to lick her face.  Nancy, you're such a good sport - looking at the photo above makes me laugh.  Katie is going to get that kiss in if it kills her!  :)

I'm going to make myself some homemade hand/body cream and have been looking for some essential oils - and asked Nancy if she new anything about them.  I want Lavender and Orange, and it just so happens she has some Orange that she doesn't need anymore - and she's going to bring it over on Friday for me.  Thanks, Nancy!  I'll have all my ingredients on board to make my cream.  Can't wait to see how it turns out.  Thanks for visiting - I look forward to seeing you again soon.  :)

By the way, remember the lump that Katie had on her ankle?  Just thought I'd let you know it finally went down, and it's gone.  It's been gone for a while, so I don't think I have to worry about it. 

WELCOME to our two new Followers:

First, Audrey the Redbone.  Audrey is actually a dog, and her mom (who I assume is really our newest follower) has a blog about Audrey called Audrey the Redbone, a Dog with Cancer, which is about her 5-year-old Redbone Coonhound. The author is a very good writer, this is what she said in the first post, "I will share what is happening with our dog and if you are ever faced with these decisions, perhaps you will gain insight into what it involves."   If you decide to click on the link, go back to the very first post - it gave me goose bumps and I had tears in my eyes.  In the most recent post, the writer shares that Audrey is now in remission, which is a reason to rejoice, for sure. Thanks for following along with us - Welcome Aboard to you and Audrey - Katie sends kisses.  :)

Welcome also to Denis and Sandy Leterndre!  Their blog is HAPPY TRAILS, and according to her profile, they started traveling full-time in 2007 (WOW) in their 2006 Triple E Commander 38' motor coach, and they are loving it!   They've been to most of the states and it looks like about half of Canada.  Even though theirs is an RV blog, the current post has a recipe for kale, and I'm on the verge of getting some. I LOVE veggies, but have never had kale, so I'm going to try her recipe - thanks Sandy!  And thank you for following our blog, me and Katie appreciate it - Welcome Aboard!!  :)

Super windy today and it looks like a lot of cloudy days in the forecast with temps somewhere in the 60s.  We've been here for the perfect weather, and now it's almost time to head south.

We're going into town to have the two rear tires checked before we get on the road to Hot Springs LTVA.   I want to make sure that huge rock that was stuck between the two tires didn't do any damage.  I'm not expecting any damage, but want to make sure.  This is definitely a better safe than sorry situation.  Keep your fingers cross for me.  We do not want to buy two new tires!!!  I'll let you know what happens.

Really pretty skies at sunset last night:

From me and Katie, have a GREAT Thursday everyone!   :)

Wordless Wednesday - Creative naps

This mom is super creative, and this baby is a REALLY sound sleeper!

The Mom, Sioin Queenie Liao, is a free-lance artist living in California.  She has three sons, and these photos are of her youngest, Wengenn.  Check out her site, Wengenn in Wonderland, for more info and photos. 

From me and Katie, have a Wonderful Wordless Wednesday, everyone!  :)

Modeling the new sweatshirt jacket :)

I've been asked for a photo of me wearing my new sweatshirt jacket, so when Debbie and Gayle came over for a visit, I asked Debbie to take a couple of pictures.

Here's the jacket.  I really love it.  It's so pretty, I think, and more colorful than my normal attire, and it's really comfortable.  I'm happy I left my "frugal" home the day I found it.  :) 

Before I stood up, Debbie said she liked the "Katie sitting in my lap" pose and wanted to snap that first.  So we stayed there for a quick pic before taking the jacket photo.  I seldom post photos of myself, in fact I seldom have photos of me, but I liked the Katie and me part, so I thought I'd post it, too.

Here we are, "The Palms Girls."

Yesterday morning I looked out the window, and there was a big balloon getting ready to take off right on the other side of the wash.  Talk about colorful! 

I remember a few of you posting about going up in a balloon, but it's something I've never done.

This has been the best, most fun of my three visits to Quartzsite.  I was able to visit with lots of people I already knew, I met a bunch of new people I really like, the weather was perfect, I was able to visit The Big Tent Event this year and stroll through all the small vendor booths and make some purchases that were either needed or fun.   It's been a really good Quartzsite season.  I can't believe I'll be here almost four months by the time I leave for Hot Springs or Pilot Knob.  I've never stayed in one area this long before.  The time just flew by. 

We're leaving next week and looking forward to our next adventures.  :)

From me and Katie, have a great day everybody!  :)

A visit from Gayle and Debbie and a gift for Katie!

This morning Gayle and Debbie stopped by for a visit, and it was so nice to see them. Sorry I missed you, Jim, but I understand.  I wouldn't have wanted to have to sit through hours in the laundromat, either.  :)

Debbie and I had already seen each other a little bit ago, but this is the first time I've seen Gayle since Rockhound State Park in NM last year.

It was really good to see them both again today! We sat outside in the sun, it was a perfect morning, but the sun got warm and chairs were moved into the shade.
 

Unfortunately that's when I took most of my photos, and Gayle was really in the full shade in her photos with Katie.  The photo below was so cute of both Gayle and Katie, I lightened it as much as I could and cropped out the super bright parts.  I loved just their faces.  Really sweet picture. Katie is loving her new antler and isn't letting it go.

And here's Katie giving Debbie kisses - sorry about that Deb!  I think Katie's thanking you for her gift.

Debbie brought Katie the end of an antler for her to chew on.  Debbie's dogs, Elliott and Rupert, love antlers, but when one is small enough to fit entirely in Rupert's mouth, Debbie is afraid he'll try to swallow it.  So she brought the latest small end over to Katie to try.  They are very expensive to buy and I didn't want to invest in something I didn't know Katie would like.

Well guess what?  She likes it!

Thank you , Debbie!  I love my new antler!  And thanks to Elliott and Rupert, too,  for chewing down the edges and then sharing with me.  :)

WELCOME to our newest Follower, Peggy!  I don't see any information about you, Peggy, so I can't let people know about your blog, etc., if you have one.  Let me know if you do, and I'll pass it along.  Thank you for following along with me and Katie, we really appreciate it - Welcome Aboard to You!  :) 

We've had some overcast, but warm, days lately, but today looks like a winner and the rest of the week is forecast to be bright and sunny with temps in the mid-70s.  Thursday is shown to be 80 degrees.  Wow.  That'll be nice.

I'm making my list of all the things I want to do this week while we're still here in Quartzsite - laundry, top off propane, dump tanks, top off fresh water tank, get the tires checked that had the rock wedged between them, change the anode rod, get Dollar Store ice cream bars, and finally call Brian to un-tilt my solar panels for the first time (and I'll learn how).  I'm sure it isn't difficult, but he mentioned something about loosening the outside nuts, but not too much.  If they slip off, when I loosen the inside nuts the weight of the panels will topple them over the edge of the roof onto the ground.  That's not an experience I want to post about.  LOL   So I am going to call him the first time they are un-tilted and climb up on the roof to watch and make sure I can do it correctly by myself. 

Can you tell I'm getting hitch-itch?  I have to be in San Diego on February 10 and want to either stay at Hot Springs for a while on the way or check out Pilot Knob (I haven't been there yet) and stay there for a week or so before the mountain drive to San Diego.

That's my least favorite drive - El Centro to San Diego County.  It's only a 2 1/2 hour drive, but for some reason driving through those mountains is a problem for me.  The first time I drove it was at the fastest posted speeds on my way to the emergency room for surgery that night.  Boy, that drive seemed to take forever, but I was driving from Quartzsite, which made it longer.  And then remember last year when I was coming back from San Diego in those high winds and ended up with tendonitis in both hands?  My right thumb, which was the last part of my hands to heal, finally started bending on August 1 - five and a half months later. No wonder I don't like that drive.  :(

This year I'm going to drive 55 MPH or less and try to enjoy all the beautiful mountains and vistas along the way.  Maybe I'll stop at a good place along the way and rest or have lunch.  I'm going to try to get some good memories imprinted on my brain this time so I won't dread that drive so much.


From me and Katie, have a great Sunday, everyone!  :)