For some unknown reason, I flipped on the switch for my winterized water heater while I was preparing our Roadtrek for our trip south and walked out of the van. When I came back, I noticed the switch in the on position with no indicator light showing. I immediately turned it off, and seeing the light was labelled 'reset', I tried to push it, slide it, whatever, to remedy- with no results. I next checked the fuses, which seemed fine.Next I referred to the manual.The first safety warning notes it is IMPERATIVE that the water heater be filled or may result in damage.Does anyone know what I may be looking at for repairs? Mine is a Suburban SW6D seriesThanks in advance

Hi neighbour, welcome.When there’s no liquid in the heater the element quickly overheats and burns out. I’d be surprised if anything else would happen, the element overheats VERY quickly. It’s possible the heat could affect other components if there’s plastic or something close by, unfortunately there’s no way to tell if it’s still water tight without pressurizing it. If you have a small compressor you could try putting 35 psi to it and see if it holds pressure or leaks down.

JaxDad wrote:When there’s no liquid in the heater the element quickly overheats and burns out. I’d be surprised if anything else would happen, the element overheats VERY quickly.The OP said he has an SW6D, in which case it has no electric heating element, otherwise it would be an SW6DE. If it is in fact the latter then yes, he's destroyed the electric heating element which would therefore need to be replaced.

JaxDad wrote:When there’s no liquid in the heater the element quickly overheats and burns out. I’d be surprised if anything else would happen, the element overheats VERY quickly.SoundGuy wrote:The OP said he has an SW6D, in which case it has no electric heating element, otherwise it would be an SW6DE. If it is in fact the latter then yes, he's destroyed the electric heating element which would therefore need to be replaced.And if, indeed, the propane burner came on, it could very easily melt the bottom out of the aluminum tank.It is indeed imperative that the water heater be full of water when you turn it on. This is not an "oh, gee, sorry about that" kind of error to make.

Should be no element on the D only model, and if the propane was turned off, no start up of propane flame to heat WH, then no damage. If WH did light on propane, no water, than damage could occur, depending how quickly it was shut off.Jerry

Thanks all for your responses. I suppose my departure date will be delayed until this is resolved ;(

Oops! Water Heater Issues | Good Sam Community

craig_evans
Explorer
Jan 13, 2018
Thanks all for your responses. I suppose my departure date will be delayed until this is resolved ;(
MFL
Nomad II
Jan 13, 2018
Should be no element on the D only model, and if the propane was turned off, no start up of propane flame to heat WH, then no damage. If WH did light on propane, no water, than damage could occur, depending how quickly it was shut off.

Jerry
naturist
Nomad
Jan 13, 2018
JaxDad wrote:
When there’s no liquid in the heater the element quickly overheats and burns out. I’d be surprised if anything else would happen, the element overheats VERY quickly.

SoundGuy wrote:
The OP said he has an SW6D, in which case it has no electric heating element, otherwise it would be an SW6DE. If it is in fact the latter then yes, he's destroyed the electric heating element which would therefore need to be replaced.

And if, indeed, the propane burner came on, it could very easily melt the bottom out of the aluminum tank.

It is indeed imperative that the water heater be full of water when you turn it on. This is not an "oh, gee, sorry about that" kind of error to make.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jan 13, 2018
JaxDad wrote:
When there’s no liquid in the heater the element quickly overheats and burns out. I’d be surprised if anything else would happen, the element overheats VERY quickly.

The OP said he has an SW6D, in which case it has no electric heating element, otherwise it would be an SW6DE. If it is in fact the latter then yes, he's destroyed the electric heating element which would therefore need to be replaced.
JaxDad
Explorer III
Jan 13, 2018
Hi neighbour, welcome.

When there’s no liquid in the heater the element quickly overheats and burns out. I’d be surprised if anything else would happen, the element overheats VERY quickly.

It’s possible the heat could affect other components if there’s plastic or something close by, unfortunately there’s no way to tell if it’s still water tight without pressurizing it. If you have a small compressor you could try putting 35 psi to it and see if it holds pressure or leaks down.

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