100305721 A.O. Smith Product Preservers™ Powered Anode Rod System

We had a water filter and softener installed in our home a month ago to filter out chlorine and soften our water. It works too. No more hard water or chlorine smell. 2 weeks later, we started smelling a rotten egg odor coming from the hot water. Called the softener company and they recommended I replace my anode (from magnesium) to an aluminum one, a powered one, or install a “bleeder tube” to bypass the filter (which defeats the purpose). I went to one of the big box stores in town and picked up an aluminum anode and installed it. Seemed to work okay, but the thought of aluminum oxide in my water (as the anode does it’s job) sounded nasty. We went away for a long weekend and when we came back, so did the smell. Immediately ordered the powered anode rod. Shipment came quick and was well packaged. The installation was extremely easy to do. Only thing that would have made it easier is if the color wire leads were labeled on the controller. It is on the instructions, so there wasn’t a question as to which plugged where, but a sticker or letter would have been nice. It mounts to the top of the unit, which for an electric unit was very uncomplicated. You need to be a bit more aware of mounting location you have a gas unit. There is no noise or any kind of notice telling you it is working with the exception of led lights on top of my unit, which is at 7’. I can see it if I hold my phone camera up above the WH. I guess I will be holding my phone up in the air every month or two to make sure it still works. This device appears to be doing its job (3 days in and no smell). I will change the post if things change. I would certainly recommend this product with what I know now.

Within 24 hours took the sulfer smell out of the water through out the house. Very easy to install, 10 minutes tops

We have an 2 year old water heater and when we go away for a few weeks or longer the water stinks so bad it makes me nauseous. We have to turn the taps on for a half hour until the water no longer smells but unfortunately the whole house stinks. It takes a few days to air out and was very frustrating. I wrote to the company and they recommended this unit which they manufacture. Its an active vs passive Anode. The old Anode was a bear to get out and our plumber, who is built like Mr Universe, really struggled to get it out. This works like a charm and the water no longer smells at all. Just make sure you have an outlet nearby

Had a 3 year old water heater with city water, recently installed water softener 3 weeks ago, which apparently causes the anode to corrode quicker, so decided this would be a better long term solution for tank integrity. Surprisingly the factory anode was already heavily corroded in only 3 years, so due for replacement. If you're a noob to water heaters like me, the installation is not difficult, just follow the instructions. The factory anode in mine was buried a few inches in polyurethane foam, under the plastic cap on top, so had to dig that foam out with a screw driver. Then had to cut the cpvc overflow tube because the idiot who installed it, did it right over where the anode is, but that was an easy cut and reconnect later. Once you find the anode, then you use a socket wrench and unscrew it, takes some muscle, if it's in really tight you can use an air impact wrench with a small burst to loosen it first. Once its out, take a wire brush and clean the inside tank threads, then you just screw it back in with socket wrench, use deep socket so you dont bend the electric prongs on top of power anode, you dont use tape or dope because it comes with it on. The module screws on the top of the water heater and yes you can do that, as the top cover is not where water is. This anode has 2 prongs, you can connect the wire to either one. Connection of the other wires is self explanatory in the instructions, may need extension cord if no outlet nearby. Time will tell whether it's worth it, i suppose the test will be how long the water heater last from a leak perspective, because anodes prevent water from deteriorating the tank itself, but the process isn't difficult if you follow the instructions, and have the tools plus no need to replace the anode, so in long run ultimately cheaper.

I really like the monitor system . if it looses connection then a alarm will sound . so you will know to fix it if it fails. other systems on the market don have this feature . I removed the the worn out anode rod/hot water outlet combo . and installed a 3 1/2 galvanized pipe with t fitting and a 90 degree adapter to reconnect the line to my hot water circulatory pump . drained the derbies out of the hot water tank from the anode rod de-solving . refilled the tank and switched it on after 1 hour no more smell!!!!!!

Install was easy per the provided instructions. Save the breaker bar with extension and just use an impact driver or wrench to break the original anode loose like the instructions say. The provided wires to connect the anode, casing ground, and control unit together seems too short to get things laid out nicely, but maybe they have to keep the lengths short due to the low power range the anode operates at? The part that made me decide on this unit vs a competitor is that it is an AO Smith product, and its warranty paperwork clearly calls out that it does not void the warranty of water heaters in the AO Smith family of brands (including State water heaters, such as mine).

Great product that gets rid of that terrible sulfur smell. The nice thing is that the old anode was 50 inches long and I only had 40 inches of clearance. I pulled up the old rod and cut it for removal. This rod is only 20 inches long so installation was easy. Short of draining the tank, disconnecting the water lines, and laying the tank on it’s side, there was no way to install a new conventional rod.

I have a A.O.Smith 50 gal. gas heater installed a year ago. A water softener is also installed in my system. The hardest part is removing the original anode (impact wrench time). The new anode is about half the length of the original and the power supply is only about 4 ft. (12v@150ma). It also has a 1 year warranty. I’m not sure if the original warranty to the heater would be a problem as it does state it doesn’t cover any modifications. I’m hoping that due to the same manufacturer of both items, that this won’t be a problem. The original anode started to create an odor and probably was accelerated by the water softener. I have city water but it’s not the best. Even instead 2 whole house water filters (1 before the softener and 1 on the output). Here’s hoping this will make a difference!

Thanks, but wish they were sold in Canada so we didn't have to import.