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Odor from the hot water system
Many water supplies contain sufficient amounts of sulfur to produce an odor, often called
"sulfur water." Sulfur water can be caused by a chemical action or by bacteria. Generally,
sulfur water is not harmful, only unpleasant to smell. Refer to the water heater manufacturer's
owner's manual for details on eliminating the odor from sulfur water. Odor from sulfur
water is not a service problem.
Do not replace anode rod or any other component with an accessory part that
is not authorized by the water heater manufacturer, such as an "add-on electric
heating element. Such items are not approved to be installed and could create
an unsafe condition and will void all warranties
Anode rod protection
The tank in the water heater is protected by a magnesium or aluminum anode to prolong the
life of the tank by absorbing the corrosive action of hot water. Under normal use, the anode
rod will deteriorate and because of this, the water heater manufacturer recommends the
anode rod be replaced yearly. Water with high levels of iron and/or sulfate will increase the
rate of deterioration; therefore, more frequent replacements may be required.
If an anode rod is mostly eaten away, replace it with a new one.
manufacturer recommends replacement of the anode rod when consumption or weight loss
is greater than 75 percent.
Operating the water heater without the proper anode rod protection will decrease
life and will void the tank manufacturer's warranty on the tank. To extend the anode life,
drain the water from the water heater tank whenever the RV is not being used. Avoid any
extended time of non-use with water in the tank.
To prevent a water leak when replacing the anode rod, a pipe thread sealant approved for
potable water (such as Teflon Tape) must be applied to the threads of the anode rod. Proper
application of a thread sealant will not interfere with the anode's
High altitude deration
Operation of the water heater at high altitudes may require derating. If the water heater is
not properly derated, lack of sufficient oxygen for combustion may produce improper burner
operation. Pilot outage caused by burner lift-off or sooting from a yellow burner may occur,
indicating the possibility of carbon monoxide.
100
The water heater
Anode rod replacement chart
tank
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