jonpaw
New Member
Hello all. Thanks in advance for any insights you can provide.
I have a 28 gallon AO Smith lowboy electric hot water heater with side connections, model number E6-30J45DVB 100. It is installed in a crawlspace. There is sufficient headroom to pull the anode rod out vertically, however the 1 1/16 bolt to actually remove the anode rod has been completely rounded off. So I don't see any reasonable way to remove the existing anode rod.
I had planned on replacing with a powered anode rod, and know Corro-Protec has the Bradford-White outlet version, so have questions on whether this is a viable option or not.
1. Am I able to remove the OEM-installed outlet nipple (which are the plastic lined heat-trap ones I believe), or is this actually more than just a nipple (i.e. has a downspout or other on the inside)? Being a side connect, I'm not sure what the internals look like.
2. The powered anode rod is only 12", so even if I can replace the existing nipple with the Corro-Protec Wye fitting, would the new powered anode rod interfere with anything internally? It looks like there is sufficient room for it to be in place if there are no obstructions.
3. If I can't replace the existing outlet nipple, could I simply install the Corro-Protec Wye to it with a 3/4" union or coupling? Externally I have plenty of space, not sure if this would get the powered rod far enough inside to be effective?
Anything else I haven't even thought of yet? Happy to answer any questions or clarify my situation if it helps. I am on well water, and would love to at least attempt improving this rather than just waiting until it eventually corrodes out on me at the most inopportune time
I have a 28 gallon AO Smith lowboy electric hot water heater with side connections, model number E6-30J45DVB 100. It is installed in a crawlspace. There is sufficient headroom to pull the anode rod out vertically, however the 1 1/16 bolt to actually remove the anode rod has been completely rounded off. So I don't see any reasonable way to remove the existing anode rod.
I had planned on replacing with a powered anode rod, and know Corro-Protec has the Bradford-White outlet version, so have questions on whether this is a viable option or not.
1. Am I able to remove the OEM-installed outlet nipple (which are the plastic lined heat-trap ones I believe), or is this actually more than just a nipple (i.e. has a downspout or other on the inside)? Being a side connect, I'm not sure what the internals look like.
2. The powered anode rod is only 12", so even if I can replace the existing nipple with the Corro-Protec Wye fitting, would the new powered anode rod interfere with anything internally? It looks like there is sufficient room for it to be in place if there are no obstructions.
3. If I can't replace the existing outlet nipple, could I simply install the Corro-Protec Wye to it with a 3/4" union or coupling? Externally I have plenty of space, not sure if this would get the powered rod far enough inside to be effective?
Anything else I haven't even thought of yet? Happy to answer any questions or clarify my situation if it helps. I am on well water, and would love to at least attempt improving this rather than just waiting until it eventually corrodes out on me at the most inopportune time