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07-04-2016, 03:35 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 73
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Is it possible I damaged my heating element?
Hi all. Just returned from camping for the weekend. Realized about an hour after I got home I forgot to flip off the electric switch for my hot water heater about an hour after I plugged it in at home. As soon as I realized it, I ran out and turned off the switch, opened up the relief valve and drained out about a SOLO cup full of very hot water. Did I get lucky having that bit of water in there or could I have damaged it? Maybe I won't find out until our next trip. But what I drained was very warm.
Thanks!
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07-04-2016, 03:45 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,502
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Did you drain all of the 6+ gallons of water out of the water heater - through the drain plug/anode at the bottom of the heater? I doubt if you did. I'd say your tank was still full so there's no likelihood of damage. The water you got out of the pressure relief valve is a tiny percentage of water in the heater tank. What kind of heater do you have? Model number?
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2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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07-04-2016, 03:47 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 466
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My understanding I if you had water in it you would be safe. If you opened the pressure relief and got a cup of water then there is more water in the tank. Pull the diode (if you have one) and that would tell you how much water was in the tank. Hopefully more knowledgeable people will pipe in soon.
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2017 Keystone Cougar 28RDB
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07-04-2016, 03:51 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck1032
.... Pull the diode (if you have one) and that would tell you how much water was in the tank....
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Not diode... but anode............ but DON'T PULL IT IF THE WATER'S HOT. It will put you in the ER if it's still under pressure.
EDIT: Never pull an anode rod (or drain plug if an Atwood heater) until the water is cool and the pressure is off.
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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07-04-2016, 04:00 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 73
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It is a Suburban. I did not drain the water through the bottom plug, but before I left the campground I opened all my faucets and drained the freshwater tank. This would not have drained the water in the system (opening all faucets)? Do I need to remove the bottom plug from the heater after each trip to drain the water heater?
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07-04-2016, 04:06 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 466
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Dan
Not diode... but anode............ but DON'T PULL IT IF THE WATER'S HOT. It will put you in the ER if it's still under pressure.
EDIT: Never pull an anode rod (or drain plug if an Atwood heater) until the water is cool and the pressure is off.
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You are correct anode. Sorry if I confused anyone. I defer to Mr. Dan.
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2017 Keystone Cougar 28RDB
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07-04-2016, 04:08 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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I almost never drain ours, and as said above, unless you drained it through the bottom drain (Anode Rod) you didn't drain the water out of the tank and therefore you didn't hurt the element.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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07-04-2016, 04:11 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 4,167
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You're good to go for next trip, no damage done.....
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Fonzie
2011 Rockwood 8319SS with ProPride 3P hitch/GoodYear Marathons/TST TPMS 507
2019 F350 Ruby Red 6.7l diesel 3.31 axle electronic locker
Yamaha 3000iseb generator:Progressive Ind. EMS-HW30C : Eastern Ontario
Nights Camped: 2014 (18) 2015 (18) 2016 (36) 2017 (32) 2018 (42) 2019 (28) 2020 (35)
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07-04-2016, 04:15 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moellerdan
It is a Suburban. I did not drain the water through the bottom plug, but before I left the campground I opened all my faucets and drained the freshwater tank. This would not have drained the water in the system (opening all faucets)? Do I need to remove the bottom plug from the heater after each trip to drain the water heater?
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I drain my water heater once per year - when I winterize. We use ours often enough that I don't feel the need to drain it until winterization. Others drain after each trip... not necessary IMHO.
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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07-04-2016, 04:41 PM
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#10
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Cyber Phrenologist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern Crescent
Posts: 1,806
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moellerdan
Do I need to remove the bottom plug from the heater after each trip to drain the water heater?
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I only drain mine when putting it away for the winter.
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KU4OJ
2008 (or is it 2009?) Rockwood 8280SS - 2022 F-250 7.3L
Lot's of mostly Kenwood radios
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07-04-2016, 04:46 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,266
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If water came out of the pressure relief valve you had water in the tank and should be OK. The valve is near the top of the tank. I put a label on the power cord to remind me to check the WH switch before plugging in
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2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
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Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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07-05-2016, 11:59 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Full timer,,,at Lake Georgetown in central Texas for the winter.
Posts: 442
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the only way your heater element will fry is if it's turned on and exposed to air. And it only take a minute or so to fry it. If it's in water, you've done no harm.
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07-05-2016, 12:06 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,739
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Yes, if you got water coming out from your pressure relief valve at the TOP of your water tank, then it should be full of water still, and the electric heating element at the BOTTOM of the tank is OK since it was still immersed in water.
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2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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07-05-2016, 12:06 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
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In my case I can do a full HW Tank by opening facets and pull the low point drain plugs. This will suck the water out while driving down the road.
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B and B
2022 Venture RV SportTrek STT 302 VRB Travel Trailer
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Louisville 5th Wheel
2015 Heartland Bighorn 5th Wheel
2013 FR Rockwood 8289WS 5th Wheel
2012 FR Rockwood 2703 SS Travel Trailer
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07-05-2016, 12:16 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B and B
In my case I can do a full HW Tank by opening facets and pull the low point drain plugs. This will suck the water out while driving down the road.
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I bet that Motorcyclist love to travel on a Dry road you have just Watered Down! Youroo!!
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07-05-2016, 04:06 PM
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#16
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2007 WildCat 32QBBS
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,349
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo
I bet that Motorcyclist love to travel on a Dry road you have just Watered Down! Youroo!!
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And in New Jersey can get you a summons.
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*Current: 2005 Ford F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.0 diesel 4x4*
*Retired: 1987 F350 Crew Cab Dually 6.9 turbo diesel
2007 Forest River WildCat 32QBBS
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