Did I ruin my water heater, please help!

[NErunner]

Hi all!

I'm new to the forum and RVing. I recently purchased a Prime Tracer 24DBS camper and went on my first trip with my family. All went well considering it was our first one, we loved it. Fast forwarding 2 weeks, as we prepare for our next trip, I discovered the battery is drained, not sure how it happened since it has been parked in my driveway since we came back. Then, I just realized I did not turn off the electric switch for the water heater after I left the camping 2 weeks ago. Now I wonder if the heater was working on battery without the water connection after I left the camping (hence the drained battery) and its heating element has burned (due to no water connection). Should I prepare for cold showers in my next trip next weekend or these heaters are like house heaters that don't burn if if shut the main water valve?

Thanks in advance!

[NErunner]

NErunner wrote:

Bobbo wrote:

NErunner wrote:
As for the battery, it has a date of May 2020 stamped on it, so when I bought the camper it was already 3 months old, probably standard? Anyway, I wonder if I should contact the dealer and complain that it's been draining all the time and try to get a new one using the warranty?

Batteries are usually excluded from warranty. They are considered consumables. Even if the warranty covers it, I doubt that they will replace it if it still tests as good, just because you ran it down. You would need to prove it was because of another manufacturer's defect that it was drained.

NErunner wrote:
Also there's a red light right at the front of the trailer frame just behind where the battery housing is located, it's always on when I have the power connected, anybody has any idea of what it indicates?

We need to see where the light is. My TT has a red light on the power cord that tells me if I have power from the pedestal.

Thanks, I'll see if I can take a picture of the red light and post here later.

I can't figure out how to post a picture 😞

[NErunner]

campigloo wrote:
My trailer battery is not connected to the house charger so I spent 15 bucks at academy for a littlesolar trickle charger. It works great as long as you can get sun on it. It store it in the propane tank storage cover and it’s always connected to the battery.

Good idea, thanks!

[campigloo]

My trailer battery is not connected to the house charger so I spent 15 bucks at academy for a littlesolar trickle charger. It works great as long as you can get sun on it. It store it in the propane tank storage cover and it’s always connected to the battery.

[NErunner]

Bobbo wrote:

NErunner wrote:
As for the battery, it has a date of May 2020 stamped on it, so when I bought the camper it was already 3 months old, probably standard? Anyway, I wonder if I should contact the dealer and complain that it's been draining all the time and try to get a new one using the warranty?

Batteries are usually excluded from warranty. They are considered consumables. Even if the warranty covers it, I doubt that they will replace it if it still tests as good, just because you ran it down. You would need to prove it was because of another manufacturer's defect that it was drained.

NErunner wrote:
Also there's a red light right at the front of the trailer frame just behind where the battery housing is located, it's always on when I have the power connected, anybody has any idea of what it indicates?

We need to see where the light is. My TT has a red light on the power cord that tells me if I have power from the pedestal.

Thanks, I'll see if I can take a picture of the red light and post here later.

[NErunner]

spoon059 wrote:
Every 2-3 weeks you should be fine. I never drain from the water heater itself, because its easy to foul the threads on the nylon nut.

Are you Arlington, VA or TX?

Neither :), I'm in MA

[lane_hog]

wnjj wrote:
I would not suggest doing either of those unless you have a guaranteed way to remember it's disconnected.

Well, since most of us have a power tongue jack, it would be really obvious when you can't hook up your tow vehicle...

[Bobbo]

NErunner wrote:
As for the battery, it has a date of May 2020 stamped on it, so when I bought the camper it was already 3 months old, probably standard? Anyway, I wonder if I should contact the dealer and complain that it's been draining all the time and try to get a new one using the warranty?

Batteries are usually excluded from warranty. They are considered consumables. Even if the warranty covers it, I doubt that they will replace it if it still tests as good, just because you ran it down. You would need to prove it was because of another manufacturer's defect that it was drained.

NErunner wrote:
Also there's a red light right at the front of the trailer frame just behind where the battery housing is located, it's always on when I have the power connected, anybody has any idea of what it indicates?

We need to see where the light is. My TT has a red light on the power cord that tells me if I have power from the pedestal.

[spoon059]

Every 2-3 weeks you should be fine. I never drain from the water heater itself, because its easy to foul the threads on the nylon nut.

Are you Arlington, VA or TX?

[NErunner]

spoon059 wrote:
I'd recommend draining your water heater between trips, especially if you are going longer time periods between trips. I don't drain at the water heater, I simply open my low point drains and "burp" the water heater at the pressure bypass switch. It helps keep the pressure bypass switch from junking up with sediment/corrosion.

I open the low points and open the faucets in the bathroom to break the vacuum. All that water drains out the low point on the drive home. 8 years ago we got water from a campground that was likely from a well. Wife got really sick while pregnant and we took the summer off from camping. That water sat stagnant all summer long and stunk to high heaven when we finally got back to camping that fall. Took a couple flushes with bleach and baking powder to get that sulfur stink out of the hot water tank.

Thanks, we plan to camp every 2-3 weeks spring to fall, so maybe we should be ok not draining the water heater between trips? I guess the winterization takes care of that issue for the off season?

[spoon059]

I'd recommend draining your water heater between trips, especially if you are going longer time periods between trips. I don't drain at the water heater, I simply open my low point drains and "burp" the water heater at the pressure bypass switch. It helps keep the pressure bypass switch from junking up with sediment/corrosion.

I open the low points and open the faucets in the bathroom to break the vacuum. All that water drains out the low point on the drive home. 8 years ago we got water from a campground that was likely from a well. Wife got really sick while pregnant and we took the summer off from camping. That water sat stagnant all summer long and stunk to high heaven when we finally got back to camping that fall. Took a couple flushes with bleach and baking powder to get that sulfur stink out of the hot water tank.

[NErunner]

Hi all, thanks again for all help, really appreciate it. I connected my house power to it and tested the water heater, it's working perfect! I'm relieved.

As for the battery, it has a date of May 2020 stamped on it, so when I bought the camper it was already 3 months old, probably standard? Anyway, I wonder if I should contact the dealer and complain that it's been draining all the time and try to get a new one using the warranty?

Also there's a red light right at the front of the trailer frame just behind where the battery housing is located, it's always on when I have the power connected, anybody has any idea of what it indicates?

[CharlesinGA]

LP gas detectors are most commonly 12vdc powered hot off the battery. Many CO detectors are AA or 9v battery powered, but not all.

Charles

[rexlion]

The dealer was full of it. There are enough little power drains on a TT to completely drain a battery in just a couple of weeks. Your battery is now permanently impaired (the amount of charge it will hold has been reduced). It might continue to give you enough juice for lights, fan, water pump, etc. for a day or two of dry camping, but it might not. If you prefer to camp with electric hookup, it'll be okay for that. Leaving it plugged into shore power or a small solar panel while in storage is generally considered to be the best way to go, but some folks do disconnect (and sometimes even remove) the battery entirely and it will then keep its charge for a couple months (but temperature is a factor, and also dirt on the battery top can transfer a trickle discharge).

[Campinfan]

Also make sure the Television antenna booster is off. It is normally near one of the tv's and it is a small button. Mine has a very small green light when on.

[GrandpaKip]

Make a check list for breaking camp.