Water Heater Issue

[jbzwart713]

So I accidentally turned on my gas water heater without having the water turned on. It took probably less than 10 minutes to realize what I had done. By the time I realized it and turned the water heater off, the heater was extremely hot. I turned it off, turned the water on and filled the water heater tank with water. I waited a while and tried the gas heater again.....nothing, it will not even make the ticking sound when it is trying to light. The electric water heater still works.

Did I fry my gas water heater? Any ideas/advice are welcome.

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by jbzwart713

The electric water heater still works.

Did I fry my gas water heater? Any ideas/advice are welcome.

There is only "one" HW heater that is heated either by propane, electricity or both - you don't have a gas WH and a separate electric WH.

You may have "fried" some of the propane parts/components and may have also damaged the tank lining. If the tank lining was damaged, you may have noticed water dripping out at some point. The water may be dripping onto the tank's insulated wrapping and onto the floor and may not be easily noticed.

Might be worthwhile taking your unit into an RV service facility and get them to check out your tank.

[jbzwart713]

Update - Called one RV place (Brambilla's) and they said "It's totally shot, bring it in and we will replace the water heater at a price of $500, plus labor." Hung up and called another RV place (AC Nelson). The tech walked me through resetting the unit, which worked. She lit right up. Waited a few minutes, hot water out of the sink. Looked under the back bunks where the tank is held, no leaks.......crisis averted.

Thanks to the tech at AC Nelson in Shakopee, MN for being so helpful.

[JRTJH]

It's great that it is working again, but keep a "watchful eye" (not a "paranoid eye") on the back side of your HWH. If it overheated significantly, you could have cracked the porcelain liner. That may (probably will) lead to faster tank failure. If you notice water "pooling" in the front and it's not coming from the relief valve or if you notice damp spots behind the water heater, get someone to check it closely. But, as long as "things are dry" and "your in hot water", smile and keep camping.....

[jbzwart713]

Will do, Thanks John!