dbbls wrote:
If it is an Atwood heater it may not have been damaged. The electric elements they use will not burn out if there is no water in the tank, however, I am not sure how long they will last without water. Try it on electric only and if it heats, you are OK.
suburban water heaters shouldn't burn the electric element out either - thats the job of the Hi-Limit / EOC fuse. The EOC / Hi-Limit fuse should "pop" & prevent failure of the electric heating element.
there is also a Hi-Limit / EOC fuse for the gas side too - to prevent over heating when no water is present in the tank.
