Starcraft the dreaded 5min suburban hws maintenance

[jazzeddie1234]

Yep, the 5min anode change turned into a 3 hour project as the new anode thread would not bite no matter how many times I tried. Ended up removing the gas jet/ tube and overflow pipe to get a decent look as the replacement is identical to the one that came out and would screw in easily.....ghaaa

Anyway I cleaned the threads in the hws, filed the thread on the new anode, wrapped and re wrapped the tape. Finally tried a shallow socket that would push hard on the end, rotated it in reverse several times....and finally success. At least it got a good clean in the process.

 

[Drover]

I have a wire bottle brush which does a grand job on the threads, did have similar happen once and when I stuck a probe inside and then measured the anode I found it was longer than the tank depth so chopped a bit off to make it fit, I use the thread tape sparingly and just on the top end of thread so it can still get a decent earth, no idea if it really needs it or not, I fitted a rubber washer inside my 27mm socket big enough so it can apply some pressure to the anode and the socket still holds the bolt head in place, works well.

Need to paint the PRV red so I remember to release before I pull out the anode ............................ on the inside HWS door with a Nikko I have 2 columns marked Checked and Replaced, put a date when I did something with it............. basically checked before every trip and replace every 12-18 mths it seems and when I check the tank gets flushed and anode hosed off ....

 

[jazzeddie1234]

The CV has been idle in the drive for 12 months so I clean forgot to check the anode...which was a stub when it came out. I never used to flush the tank but amazed at the junk coming out when I did!

 

[Hitting the road]

Need to paint the PRV red so I remember to release before I pull out the anode ...

I wasn't aware of that the first time I changed the anode, had run the taps to get rid of water, turned off the pump and mains supply... then wore most of the crap that flew out under pressure...lol.
I changed the anode a couple of weeks ago, after releasing the pressure valve, and found the new anode screwed in a whole lot easier than the one I took out, last time I had the same drama as jazzeddie1234 had, this time I was even able to easily wind it in by hand to then finish nipping it up with the socket...go figure.

It wasn't too bad considering it had been in there around 15 months, could have stayed in there a bit longer probably, but, the van hadn't seen many outings with water heater use this past year so that would likely account for it

 

[Drover]

Water quality is the thing, my anodes seem to last longer when Ive spent lots of time out west, something I thought would eat it quickly................ I do leave the tank full when parked up and when I replace the anode I stick the hose in to flush but also connect up the mains and turn it on for an extra flush, just don't want that crap getting into the system and playing havoc with the pump filter ....