Hot water heater is it toast?

[Bushman512000]

Well I have a problem some how the hot water heater was turned on no water in it and no gas to it the switch was on for gas about 4 hours...Did I burn some thing out?The wife found the red light on.As I had just pluged the rig in about 4 hours before so what do You think the damage will be?No gas so tank will not be melted ..No water ..so not on electric that switch off..thank You thank You..I may need it lol I hope not ...what is the out come I have no idea will I have to replace any thing?I think the gas switch was knocked on while We cleaned the trailer but the power was off till to day...Bushman..and thanks for any help You can give..

[B&T]

As you describe it -- then no reason for damage. Appears the only power applied was the 12v for the control circuitry and it worked as it should since you got the red light indicating it tried to start gas and it failed to ignite.

[Bushman512000]

That is good news B&T I was hopeing no burnt board or other thing that I would have to fix.Had the Elect. element burn up few years ago with a forgoten switch left on.This time it was tripped by a mistake maby working in the trailer cleaning and hit it on.Thanks for the reply.Have a great New Years..Bushman

[JRTJH]

Bushman,

It should have tried to start 3 times, then if no ignition, it should have disabled itself and the red light inside should have come on to indicate the failure. If it was working correctly (and there's no reason to believe it wasn't) then you should be OK as long as the electric side was turned off.

Let's hope all is good

John

[SAABDOCTOR]

Bushman As you described it you should be just fine. only if the electric was on would you have bruned out the element!.

[Bushman512000]

Well thanks for all the great replys the toast is not burnt had the wife try it and I was out side and it is still sparking great ...We will have to be carefull around the switch from now on....Happy New Year all...had a lot of snow here last night about 6-8" heavy wet crap Bushman...

[B&T]

Before draining the water heater for cold weather I first turn off the AC breaker on the power panel and leave it off. Just in case someone(myself included) hits that switch by accident before getting water back into the heater

[trucker LOU]

Hey Bushman, I have also turned on the water heater by mistake while cleaning. I instaled a small lite from radio shack to indicate the heater is on.I hope the pic comes out ok--Lou---