Dometic water heater, doesn't use an anode rod?

[ham fam]

We recently bought a new 2021 Crossroads Zinger Camper. It came with a Dometic Water Heater. I reached out to the manufacturer, about anode rods. Finding one that fits is difficult. The manufacturer explains they don't suggest using one, and that using it could cause issues. They claim the tank is made of aluminum and therefore an anode rod isn't necessary. But I thought the whole point of an anode rod is to be a sacrificial rod so the tank doesn't deteriorate? So by not having one would be a bad thing right?

 

[xxxapache]

It's true, a Dometic aluminum tank doesn't use or need a rod. They don't rust. My TT is a 1995 with a aluminum Atwood WH. It's still going strong. No anode.

 

[kitphantom]

That's the way the Dometic is designed. The Suburban one we have used the anode rod.

 

[bondebond]

All of above are correct. You need an anode rod to prevent rust in a steel tank. Suburban uses steel tanks. Dometic uses aluminum. You only need a plastic drain plug and not an anode rod. I'm so glad I don't have a Suburban tank in the current unit! No bits of crud to have to wash out of the bottom of the tank.

 

[Snow]

Atwood water heaters use a plastic drain plug as well.

 

[GalsofEscape]

FYI Atwood is now sold under the Dometic name (as of 2017 per the Dometic website)

 

[ham fam]

Thanks for the info guys.