Recommended Anode Rod For RV Water Heater Based On Material

Updated 07/11/2020 | Published 03/21/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Camco RV Water Heater Anode Rod - Magnesium - 1/2" Diameter x 9-1/2" Long

(55)

$31.02

Camco RV Water Heater Anode Rod - Aluminum - 3/4" Diameter x 9-1/2" Long

(307)

$16.01

Question:

When choosing an anode rod for an rv water heater, does aluminum or magnesium work better?

asked by: Jesse G

Helpful Expert Reply:

Both metals help to protect your tank. There are only a few people that have a preference and it is normally based on aluminium being lower on the Galvanic Scale than magnesium so it produces less driving current between the anode and cathode (tank). They believe that this means aluminum doesn't do as good a job protecting the tank sides as well as magneisum. You will find that plumbers will use either one on home or RV systems.

My recommendation is to go with the mangesium anode like # CAM11593 over the aluminum anode like # CAM11563 only based on that Galvanic Scale.

expert reply by: Jason S

Dennis H.

7/7/2020

If u choose a magnesium anode how do u fight off the rotten egg (sulfer) smell that it may give off?....ty

Chris R.

7/11/2020

There are a few things you can do to relive your senses of this smell. Flushing the water heater with some hydrogen peroxide or household vinegar tends to help a lot. Another option is using a flushing wand like # A01-0184VP and flushing the tank with fresh water about once a year.