Idiot Alert!!!

[Not so Big Al]

While my wife and I off camping this fall I committed the cardinal sin of hotwater tank abuse. I ran the propane without water in the tank. Let this be a lesson to all newbies, just because water comes out of the hot water tank doesn't mean there is water in the tank, better you should go out and and check the pressure relief valve to make sure. Check the bypass valves too. The electric side of our tank served us well for the rest of the trip but I'm wondering what damage might have been done to the propane side.

Your Humbly AL

[Loren & Cathy]

Al, I wouldn't be so quick as to call yourself an idiot. We have all made mistakes that bit in the pocket book. And sometimes the tuition can get kind of high. But by sharing on this forum, you have probably saved a lot of other of us newbies to be from grief. I have been taking notes on a lot of this for our upcoming build. Loren

[BCnomad]

I will def have to pay attention at my orientation.

And checklist by front door.

[PGDriver]

Al

Try the propane setting, chances are everything is OK.
Don't ask how I know...

Cheers Doug

[gbaglo]

Before freaking out, try the reset button on the hot water.
I think its the button on the right, or just press both of them.
It worked for my buddy who turned on his water heater with no water.
Located outside where the anode and relief valve are.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Not so Big Al

While my wife and I off camping this fall I committed the cardinal sin of hotwater tank abuse. I ran the propane without water in the tank. Let this be a lesson to all newbies, just because water comes out of the hot water tank doesn't mean there is water in the tank, better you should go out and and check the pressure relief valve to make sure. Check the bypass valves too. The electric side of our tank served us well for the rest of the trip but I'm wondering what damage might have been done to the propane side.

Your Humbly AL

Hi: Not so Big Al... I'm right there with you... only I did it with the electric side. Burnt the element through. $16.50 + labour!!! WHEW!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[tractors1]

Propane doesn't burn hot enough to cause any metal damage. You should be fine - I've never had a barbecue grill melt.

[Not so Big Al]

We did try resetting the the tank but no dice. We are holding out hope that if the electrical side works fine the propane should be easily repairable.

[Not so Big Al]

You guys are all an inspiration.

[Brian B-P]

If it still holds water - and apparently it does - I doubt it's dead. It's the tank, rather than the burner, which is at risk when run dry.

If that was the worst thing I had ever done, I would be very happy.

[Fox hunt]

When you turn on the hot water tap doesn't the tank fill?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

When you turn on the hot water tap doesn't the tank fill?

Hi: Fox hunt... Only when the bypass valves aren't bypassing, and only then if the air is out of the tank. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[LeonW]

Like Alf, I burned out the electrical side when I plugged in the trailer before there was water in the hot water tank. Only I wasn't sure how to fix it, so it cost me about $100.00 to have it fixed.

Here's my question. Since I drained the hot water thank this year, and blew out all the water lines (well, except for the line between the fresh water thank and the pump -- it got too cold by the time I heard the story about water remaining in that line). Is there any reason why I couldn't turn the hot water tank bypass valves back to their original position in the fall after I am done winterizing the trailer? that way there would be less chance of forgetting it in the spring.

[cpaharley2008]

The bypass is only useful if you are going to pump antifreeze and you want to bypass the 6 gallon water heater, so if you are not performing that ritual, then there is no reason to keep it bypassed.

[Brian B-P]

I wouldn't simply ignore the bypass, since I wouldn't want to leave that short bypass line full of water over winter, but if the freshwater lines don't have antifreeze in them and everything is drained, I agree that there's no need to leave it in a bypassed configuration.