How and Why to replace the Anode rod of a Water Heater

[robinsonsauto]

great video very informative. thank you for sharing

[spelunkerd]

@robinsonsauto

And likewise, I always find your automotive channel worth a look.

Dave

[outdoorsman310]

interesting i didnt even know water heaters had these it seems similar to the zinc pieces in boats and outboard engines

[spelunkerd]

@outdoorsman310 And likewise, I didn't know about the zinc anodes on boats until I took this on as a little project. I find that interface between science, engineering, and every day life to be fascinating. Thanks for watching!

[Turbo231]

Wow, that was a very neat video. I had no idea those rods even existed in a water heater.

[Jafromobile]

I was considering picking up a Zinc block from a marine supply store, they're shelf items... but I was going to try out using it as a sacrificial anode for my steel bodied/iron block cars.  I've heard it's possible to apply this techniques to cars to prevent them from rusting, FWIH, you have to put the zinc block in an insulated box and make 1 electrical contact to the zinc, and attach the other contacts to the metal parts you want to save.

Sound plausible?

[spelunkerd]

@Jafromobile Having watched many of your videos, I'm not surprised to see a thoughtful comment. I have seen examples of electrolytic reactions in cars, but there must be some reason that manufacturers don't use them routinely. Maybe it's the lack of continuous exposure to water. Reviewing this topic, I wonder if there was a reason that almost all modern manufactures use a negative battery ground, which could theoretically inhibit rust on the chassis.....

[DJDevon3]

Always love watching your videos they are very educational. Thanks for another great video.

[spelunkerd]

@DJDevon3 Thank you. And likewise, your automotive repair videos are always worth a look.

Dave

[DJDevon3]

@spelunkerd haha worth a look if you want a good laugh. i'd hardly call my videos automotive repair. more like attempted repairs. i do have some good knowledge but my execution leaves a lot to be desired. your videos are highly educational coming from experience. mine are 1st timer stuff from a 1st timer perspective which usually doesn't end too well. :P

[spelunkerd]

@DJDevon3 You're too hard on yourself. Thanks again for participating here.

Dave

[briansmobile1]

What a fun and well prepared lesson that was! Chemistry is such a valuable tool when applied to problems like this. Thanks for teaching me!

[spelunkerd]

@briansmobile1 It's very kind of you to say that, Brian. I've always had fun in science lab, but it's a greater challenge to rouse that kind of interest in others. So your remark is especially helpful for me to know that I hit the mark.

dave

[Oldsmob455]

Very insightful video. Good job but now I'm paranoid about my water heater. lol

[spelunkerd]

@Oldsmob455 I appreciate your comment, and I really like watching your auto repair videos as well. Last month I posted a companion video on how to change out the dip tube on a water heater.

Reviewing all of this gave me added understanding of the science behind this common household appliance. I think it's cool, in a nerdy kinda way, ha ha.

[TheFred1952]

boats and ships also have sacrificial anods too mostly on the prop shafts but some also on the hulls

[spelunkerd]

@TheFred1952 I found that fact to be very interesting -- I believe those are mostly aluminum. Aluminum has fallen out of favour for drinking water anodes, because of the observation of aluminum deposits in the brains of Alzheimer patients. That fact is of course not proof of causality, but I'm just as happy to be drinking trace amounts of magnesium rather than aluminum.

Fred, thanks for you comment!

Dave

[TheFred1952]

@spelunkerd it is zinc on the ships and boats

[spelunkerd]

@TheFred1952 That's good info, thanks Fred. Here in Alberta we are land-locked, but the next time I'm on a boat I'll look for it.

Dave