wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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Any RV store will have the Atwood nylon drain plug.
I would NOT replace a brass with steel (MUCH harder metal) plug.
And, I don't know about this 1-5 scale, but if you are interested in galvanic corrosion, look at a real galvanic chart such as this one (first one when Googling "galvanic chart": http://www.corrosionist.com/galvanic_corrosion_chart.htm
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
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Rvpapa
Alberta , Can.
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Joined: 08/07/2002
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Skipnchar wrote "I've never replaced mine just for the heck of it but I always carried a spare with me."
I think that is the reason to always have a spare on hand, if you have it you won't need it. But like Amex never leave home without it.
Also a small stick of plumbers putty is very useful and a lot of times better than teflon tape.
Art.
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mobeewan
Hampton, Va
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Joined: 01/03/2007
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siresfam wrote:Thanks for the info. I didn't even think of galvanic corrosion. I found the following on the fastenal website. On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being bad. Brass aluminum contact is rated a 3. Aluminum to galvanized steel or zinc is 1 or 2 depending on which is considered the base vs fastener. Assuming that the aluminum is the base ie housing and the fastener is galvanized steel the rating is 1. I am unable to find a nylon plug locally. I did find a galvanized steel plug so when I move and the water is cool, i will replace the brass with galvanized and when I get home, order several nylon ones. Thanks to all who took the time to comment.
It's not like your tank is going to melt. The brass will be okay for short term. The steel is harder and could wear the aluminum threads more swapping one metal plug for another. As a substitute for the Atwood plug you could look for the grey plastic acetal plugs in the hardware stores. Look for Qest brand. Available at Ace, True Value & True Temper.
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Dutch_12078
Great Sacandaga Lake, NY
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Joined: 10/07/2008
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I use an ordinary CPVC plug available at nearly any hardware or home improvement store for about 50 cents. Instead of using teflon tape, I slip an O-ring over the plug that makes a very snug seal to the port shoulder.
Dutch
1995 Coachmen Catalina 322QBXL
F53 chassis, 460 V8, TST TPMS
Quadra Bigfoot EZ Levelers
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
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kneal44
EAST CENTRAL TEXAS
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Joined: 01/24/2008
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i had a rough time removing my nylon plug... i reinstalled and used teflon tape for easier removal the next time . i tighten enough so no leaking...
when u play in the sand .... you can get stuck
9-24-08 corpus christi padre island texas. wrecker had to haul me out!
'92 dp 5.9 cummins 190 hp....8mpg yuck!
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haddy1
Chesterfield, MO
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Joined: 11/19/2009
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siresfam,
I think that you are reading something wrong. The last thing that you want in that tank is a steel plug. I had to use one in an emergency for two days and it had already started to corrode. You will notice that your relief valve is a brass alloy, so that is definitely a better choice.
2003 Winnebago Journey DL
2007 Jeep Wrangler Toad
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sbishop
Eagle Rock, CA
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Joined: 08/09/2001
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Okay I have an Atwood WH, it is 22 years old and until this last fall I don't think the plug has ever been removed. We had a leak and I let a shop in Elkhart look at it and the tech removed the plug without a problem and when he finished his work he reinstalled the same plug. A day or so later I found out he had really screwed up my by pass system and I removed the plug and when I was finished repairing my plumbing I put in a new plug. No problem there. While I was working on the by pass I looked at the WH and saw that the fittings attached to the inlet and outlet of the heater were, OMG, brass. Still no problem. As far as I can tell the brass PTV is okay, no signs of corrosion. Still no problem. I will admit that we use the WH sparingly but there is no sign of corrosion at the three places where brass is in direct contact with the tank, there is no smell from the WH and there is no build up in the tank. And finally I can't find anywhere in the manual in the MoHo or on line that warns about not using brass fittings in a Atwood WH or to replace the drain plug often. FYI, I have been in the building trades of and on since 1954 and I was a licensed general contractor until I retired so I have some experience in tending for and trouble shooting both electric and gas WHs.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson
David Bishop
1990 Bounder 27D
1995 Suzuki Sidekick 4X4
Stowmaster 5000
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BillyW
North ID
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For the record, I've found those nylon plugs on the shelf in multiple hardware and big box stores. It's in the plumming section, not an RV section.
'97 F150 4X4
'04 Pioneer 18T6
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Thunder Mountain
Buena Vista, Colorado
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Joined: 02/09/2005
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Been there done that this year on our MH. Should have replaced that nylon piece of******when we bought the rig. Brass and teflon tape are good.
2007 HR Endeavor 40'PDQ
2011 Wrangler Unlimited
4 Cats
3 Dogs
2 Arctic Cats
1 Bottle of Jack Daniels
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John&Joey
Some Location
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Joined: 05/20/2007
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Just wondering, for those that never take the plug out, how do you clean out the HW tank. I am always amazed at the amount of "junk" that comes out of my tank when I flush it.
Just had a neighbor replace his 6 year old Surburn HW tank due to pin holes. Always replaced the anode in it, just never flushed it.
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