Forum Discussion

jaycoman89's avatar
jaycoman89
Explorer
Feb 16, 2021

popping/clicking noise from hot water heater?

I haven't used the camper in quite a while as there has just been a lot going on lately and haven't had the chance. It sits in a campground plugged into city power. I keep the breakers on but the hot water switch turned off. I also turned the water off and ran all the water out of the pipes in early December to make sure water didn't sit and freeze. Today I had someone check in on the place for me and they sent me a video of a clicking/popping noise from the hot water heater. He said it didn't make that noise for very long. I want to say i've heard that noise in there before but it's been so long I can't remember.

Q: Is the breaker switch for the HWH on?
A: Yes

Q: Is the electrical switch for the HWH on?
A: No
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Feb 16, 2021
    You should consider hiring a mobile technician to examine the issue since you are not close by.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Feb 16, 2021
    So he turned on the water heater without water in it? Possibly burned out the element and the noise stopped. That's my guess.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Feb 17, 2021
    If the element did not burn out (from no water), that is just the noise that metal makes while it is heating (expanding) or cooling (contracting).
  • jaycoman89's avatar
    jaycoman89
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2021
    theoldwizard1 wrote:
    If the element did not burn out (from no water), that is just the noise that metal makes while it is heating (expanding) or cooling (contracting).


    I was under the impression the element was only at risk if the HWH was turned on with no water?
  • jaycoman89's avatar
    jaycoman89
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2021
    Lynnmor wrote:
    So he turned on the water heater without water in it? Possibly burned out the element and the noise stopped. That's my guess.


    No nothing was ever turned on.
  • Guy_Roan's avatar
    Guy_Roan
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2021
    Ask him to go back and check again to see if the switch is turned off.
    All it takes is for the switch to be ON for a second or two with no water and the element will burn out and that is the noise he would have heard
    I am guessing like a few others have said that the element is burned out

    Guy
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2021
    I walked past a whole row of new water heaters at Home Depot. All were empty and not turned on, none were clicking. :W
  • jaycoman89's avatar
    jaycoman89
    Explorer
    Feb 17, 2021
    Guy Roan wrote:
    Ask him to go back and check again to see if the switch is turned off.
    All it takes is for the switch to be off for a second or two with no water and the element will burn out and that is the noise he would have heard
    I am guessing like a few others have said that the element is burned out

    Guy


    All it takes is for the switch to be off for a second or two with no water and the element will burn out

    did you mean "all it takes is for the switch to be 'on' for a second or two with no water and the element will burn out?"

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