Rheem Hot Water Heater

[slayed]

Hello All!
This is my first post here, expect many to come! I am beginning to prepare for winter at a RV campground. I am taking care of a couple of RV's and some cabins.

My first project was to put a 3/4" water tap onto the water line of a cabin so that it could easily be drained with air pressure.

As I was waiting for the PVC sealant to dry I had the water turned off, electricity turned off and hot water heater drained. "Someone else" came to the park and turned the electricity on before turning the water on. Now the water is coming out fine, but is not coming out hot.

My question is... Did having the electricity on with an empty hot water heater cause a failure? I am imagining the heating element burning out or something similar. I am asking here for some discussion because I will not be able to check the cabin out until Sunday.

Thank You All!

[johnnparry55]

MDKMDK wrote:
"hot water heater"???
Why would anyone want to heat water that's already hot?

Boiling water must have! Thats why keep rheem phone number to solve any issues with your hot water Heater.

[Lwiddis]

"Someone else" came to the park and turned the electricity on before turning the water on."

With help like that you're in for a long winter.

[agesilaus]

Actually from the thermodynamics viewpoint that is not true.

[pasusan]

slayed wrote:

MDKMDK wrote:
"hot water heater"???
Why would anyone want to heat water that's already hot?

You can always go hotter!

Great comeback! :B

[slayed]

MDKMDK wrote:
"hot water heater"???
Why would anyone want to heat water that's already hot?

You can always go hotter!

[slayed]

Thanks for the info guys. Today I will switch out a known working element into the water heater that isnt working to see if it is indeed the heating element. I saw them available at home depot for $10. Not bad.

[Old-Biscuit]

MDKMDK wrote:
"hot water heater"???
Why would anyone want to heat water that's already hot?

T-stat closes for reheat at 110*F
Technically that IS hot water....


To make it hotter.....Simple

[MDKMDK]

"hot water heater"???
Why would anyone want to heat water that's already hot?

[Old-Biscuit]

Your title states RHEEM water heater so I take it this is a small residential water heater in one of the cabins...

YES....
Electric elements must be submerged in water when energized or they WILL burnt out.
Water absorbs the heat generated and w/o water the element overheats
Only takes a few minutes

It is possible that the t-stat tripped.....so remove portective cover and check the t-stat (s/b right nexrt to element)
If tripped reset and try heating water.
Not heating....then need to drain water heater again and replace the element.

[wildtoad]

Only takes a few minutes to burn out an element with no water in the heater.

[agesilaus]

Yes it could burn out the element. They are fairly easy to replace tho.