Camco Aluminum Anode Rod- Extends the Life of Water Heaters by Attracting Corrosive Elements, Tank Corrosion Protection (11563), Silver

Replaced the drain plug on a dometic water heater with this, no issues. Hopefully this dies to give life to my water heater.....

Definitely protects your water heater from hard water.

Great fit for the RV Atwood heater. Only thing I did not like is the instructions state to only use a small amount of torque to tighten on, so I used my torque wrench and at the recommended level (with Teflon tape) I had a drip. I had to really snug it down to stop the drip. Other than that, works just fine.

This is about the fourth one of these I’ve used. They work great and help preserve your hot water heater.

Anode rods are about as exciting as getting a flu shot. They serve pretty much the same function - preventing big inconveniences and upset. Never leave home without either one.

Because I have had problems with hydrogen sulfide smell in the hot water, I hyperchlorinated my whole system and then, removed my magnesium anode and replaced with this aluminum anode. Magnesium is more reactive than aluminum. My research suggested that I will get less of this bacterial reaction within the heater with aluminum. My wife will be much more apt to smile in the shower with less of the H2S smell. Sure hope that it makes a difference. It is at least worth the try.

Im giving it 4 stars because there is nothing wrong with the rod but it did not fit my Suburban 8 gallon tank. The threads were too long, 3/4 of an inch. Id previously bought a Camco rod that fit my tank, the threads were 1/2 inch long so must have been a different part number. So just make sure you have the right rod. See the picture of the old rod and the 11563 rod.

Difficult to screw in! It wasnt just me, my plumber couldnt insert it all the way either. Maybe the diameter of the screw part is just a little too big? (My 5th wheel is a 2012.) Good enough, though, its not leaking.

I now keep a spare on hand. The first time I checked the water heater anode (never knew about them before) I pulled out a rusty steel rod core. NO anode! Most RV campgrounds do not stock this part (and there are two different sizes) which means you have to try to track down a parts center. Pain! Camco is as good as any other brand out there.

This rod is super short. It replaced a rod that was the length of my entire water heater, about 4 feet. I dont know if this will hold up as well but it went in easy and looks like a fine quality. I will update this review in a year when I replace it.