Water Heater probe

[Kalohe]

Bought this GD XPLOR 221RB in October 2020, its a 2021 model. Only been camping 4 times and this water heater thing(?) is breaking up ... I removed it to make sure all the water was out and this is what I found ... I'm sure this isn't normal. SO I will guess a replacement is in order. Any suggestions as to what causes this and will I need to be replacing this every couple months ?? Also do you think this is something rv dealers carry or will I need something special from GD ??? Thanks for your input here ...
Wayne

[Jkwilson]

Anode rod. What you see is perfectly normal. It corrodes to protect the tank. That one is practically new.

[Kalohe]

Wow ... so how long do they last ?? and are the particles that come off building up in the tank and need to be removed somehow ??

[Jkwilson]

Wow ... so how long do they last ?? and are the particles that come off building up in the tank and need to be removed somehow ??

How long they last depends on how often you use the RV and the water conditions. You’ll just have to see. Anything formed when the rod reacts with the water will either be dissolved or drain out when you empty the tank.

It will eventually look like a meat skewer, though it should be changed before that happens.

check out http://bryantrv.com/images/anode.jpg

[Kalohe]

Thanks for the help ... I think a spare will go in the box ...

[boyscout]

Thanks for the help ... I think a spare will go in the box ...

I'm a boy scout who likes to be prepared for anything but I don't carry a spare. They're usually easily found wherever RV parts are sold.

I winterize each year so I get an annual chance to look at the anode rod and judge if I will need another when I de-winterize. Our OEM rod had supported about ten-eleven months of living and I replaced it despite that it almost certainly would have gone through another six months or more.

[Yoda]

Bought this GD XPLOR 221RB in October 2020, its a 2021 model. Only been camping 4 times and this water heater thing(?) is breaking up ... I removed it to make sure all the water was out and this is what I found ... I'm sure this isn't normal. SO I will guess a replacement is in order. Any suggestions as to what causes this and will I need to be replacing this every couple months ?? Also do you think this is something rv dealers carry or will I need something special from GD ??? Thanks for your input here ...
Wayne

My last one made it 12 -15 years (previous unit)( one or two trips a year) and I drained the water heater after every trip. No need of a spare as boyscout mentioned. It really depends on the water conditions your in. I cant remember if it is hard water that accelerates it more of Soft water. Can vary a lot.
Hope this helps
Keith