Left empty H2O Heater on while empty

Thanks everyone for the info.
It turns out the propane side of the water heater still works. Will check out the r&r procedures for the electric element.

Re & re the element. Then stop using the HWH on electric and it won't happen again! Propane has a faster recovery anyway.

I have our element switched off at the tank so it can never be accidentally turned on if the tank is dry. Electric & propane can be used together to heat the water faster but have never found a need to do that.

bdpreece wrote:
Electric heating elements last about 30 seconds if on with no water.

30 seconds is conservative. More like 2 seconds. Far as on propane op, the over temp has been tripped. You need to reset it and depending on model, you may have to replace it.

I did a similar thing a year ago. I forgot to un-bypass the water heater. I flipped on the electric with no water. Still on by-pass (water tank empty), of course it was cold water from the faucet.

Thinking there was a potential electric problem, I flipped it to gas. Fired right up, but soon went out. Still only cold water (still in by-pass).

Then I realized what I did. Flipped by-pass off and filled the tank. Repeated with electric. Too late, the electric element was burned out. Then tried gas. Didn't fire. No hot water at all.

We limped through that week-end trip and found some creative ways to get alternative hot water to take a shower (another story).

When we returned home, I took it to my dealer repair shop. They analyzed it. I burned up the thermostat and the electric heating element. And separated about $150 in a repair bill from my bill fold.

Hard lesson learned. After years and years of winterizing and de-winterizing, one would think I'd never miss this step.

Bottom line, if you ran your water heater empty on electric, your heating element is burned out. If you ran on gas, it's possible something else is burned out too.

Need instruction on how to take a warm shower with no water heater (from your camper shower). I can do that for you!

rowekmr wrote:
As the title says I dewinterized the TT and forgot (rushed) left the hot water heater on thinking it will take time to warm the water. Water still wasn't hot after 30 min so left it on gas mode then wasn't able to get back for a few days.

I figured I still had the bypass on when it was still cold so I turned the heater off and waited awhile to fill it with water but didn't turn it back on yet. Do you think I cause any damage? It was one electric heat for awhile then gas heat for a few days. Do they have safety cut off just for this reason?

So what is 'awhile'?

Suburban uses a steel GLASS-LINED tank....introducing cold water into a HOT tank can cause the glass-lining to crack/fracture

Atwood uses an aluminum tank.....introducing cold water into a HOT tank can cause metal fatigue

Electric element has to be submerged in water otherwise it will burn out......yours would be suspect

Propane will heat long enough to cause both normal temp t-stat and HIGH temp t-stat to OPEN and shutdown the propane
It should NOT have refired due to Hi temp T-stat tripping.


If a 'few days' went by then WH Tank should have been cold and adding water would not been an issue


Brand/Model of WH??????

rowekmr wrote:
As the title says I dewinterized the TT and forgot (rushed) left the hot water heater on thinking it will take time to warm the water. Water still wasn't hot after 30 min so left it on gas mode then wasn't able to get back for a few days.

I figured I still had the bypass on when it was still cold so I turned the heater off and waited awhile to fill it with water but didn't turn it back on yet. Do you think I cause any damage? It was one electric heat for awhile then gas heat for a few days. Do they have safety cut off just for this reason?

Yes, there are high limit thermostats on RV water heaters. I would inspect carefully if there are any leaks at fittings or valves. If you can operate a hot water side valve (sink?) and the water continues to flow, you can see if the tank is full and if leaks are present.

Your electric element, if so equipped, won't work for long without submersion. The propane burner should light and function well. Inspect it when you first fire it up.

Good luck with the heater.

Electric heating elements last about 30 seconds if on with no water.

Most likey burnt out electric element, they go fast when not submerged in water. Gas should have turned off when it went over temp, should be reset download the manual for your HW model for troubleshooting.