Water Heater - Add an Anode ? ? ?

[Maybe A Dancer]

Replaced the 27 year old factory water heater last year with (all that was available at the time) an aluminum tank.

It has no provision of an anode, however I've heard that it's prudent to remove the drain valve and replace it with plumbing that would support an anode of what type I have no idea.

Comments appreciated !

BEST !

RWS

 

[mrsrobinson]

I've been told to drain it a few times year to help with corrosion.

I've also wondered why our raw water AC/Heat units do not have anodes.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

More infdo I should have posted.

It's a KUUMA 20 gallon unit with an aluminum case and cladded aluminum tank.

It also has a heat exchanger currently running off my stbd motor

I'm in FL and won't need to drain the tank in winter. Replacing the drain assembly with some plumbing for the anode is not a hardship.

Wondering is maybe I should fashion a TEE and have a drain as well if needed.

Now, ALUMINUM tank + MAGNESIUM anode, should the plumbing be brass, or bronze or galvanized???

I'm guessing GALVANIZED

Photo is below.

BEST !

RWS

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Anyone ?

 

[ttmott]

A couple of years ago we had a great discussion on the anodes. Look it up.
I believe the Kuma water heaters have anodes and they are a part of the drain valve.

 

[bfernald0]

You remove the drain valve and replace it with and anode

 

[hughespat57]

I went from a failed 6gal to Kumma 11 gal 240v about 5 years ago.
I removed the plastic drain and used an anode with a brass plug.
Been working well so far, cleaned up the anode this year.

If you want to keep the drain I would stick with brass and not introduce another metal like iron.
The plugs are usually brass and the temperature relief is already brass.

 

[radscoot]

Here they are,

Anode Rod

Heater

www.camco.net

You can find them on Amazon also.