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09-13-2020, 03:29 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 3
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Water Heater Fire
Hello Everyone,
We are seasonal campers at a Campground in Michigan. We have always used the electrical system to heat our water heater. The Switch outside is set to "On". The Switch inside the RV is always set to "Off". We have never used the inside switch for the propane system. We have barely turned on the propane in the RV all season do to using it from Memorial day to Labor day weekend and it has always been hot outside. Well this weekend we were cleaning out the 5th wheel for the season and turned on the propane for the furnace use only. Switch is still "Off" inside the 5th wheel for the water heater. Some how the water heater gas system ignited even though the switch was off.....is that normal for that to happen? In the picture, you can see one wire melted and the black fuse box is melted. Is this a electrical fire or gas fire? Doesn't look like anything on the bottom burned up.
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09-13-2020, 03:39 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbaldridge76
Hello Everyone,
We are seasonal campers at a Campground in Michigan. We have always used the electrical system to heat our water heater. The Switch outside is set to "On". The Switch inside the RV is always set to "Off". We have never used the inside switch for the propane system. We have barely turned on the propane in the RV all season do to using it from Memorial day to Labor day weekend and it has always been hot outside. Well this weekend we were cleaning out the 5th wheel for the season and turned on the propane for the furnace use only. Switch is still "Off" inside the 5th wheel for the water heater. Some how the water heater gas system ignited even though the switch was off.....is that normal for that to happen? In the picture, you can see one wire melted and the black fuse box is melted. Is this a electrical fire or gas fire? Doesn't look like anything on the bottom burned up.
Attachment 239075 |
From what I see I would say electrical. Peel back the rubber cover and you'll probably find the source. Burned wiring/connectors will be the giveaway. If it was gas the damage will be only on outside as it appears the rubber is enough intact to have kept fire out of wiring space.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change  )
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09-13-2020, 04:05 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 3
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I agree, to me it looks electrical. The metal reflective part to the left of the tube isn't scorched at all and the rubber piece on the bottom isn't scorched either. Thanks for answering BTW
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09-18-2020, 07:37 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Savannah
Posts: 792
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Is it possible the water heater tank was empty when this occurred? If so the element normally burns out with no indication on the outside. Curios mind.....
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Kirk
2017 Forester 3051S
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09-18-2020, 07:42 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,525
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Not enough information or enough photo.
I believe it could just have been a gas burner blow back. I once had a WH light and for what ever reason it didn't draw the flame up the tube but back fired out into the outer area. Luckily I was listening and shut it down when it sounded much louder than normal. I did nothing but try it again and it never happened again on that rig. We had it at least a couple more years and used it many more times.
We're all guessing. I'd like to see what's behind the cover as well but I'm guessing a burner blow back.
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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09-18-2020, 08:12 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,587
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OP hasn’t logged on in a while.
Last Activity: 09-13-2020 06:06 PM
__________________
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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09-18-2020, 08:13 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,053
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From what I see in the picture, it looks like there may have been a burner tube/air shutter fire. There are several things that can cause this, but some of the most common things are, the flow of gas is somehow restricted between the air shutter and the burner. The burner will ignite first, but the lack of flow will allow the flame to follow the gas inside of the burner tube back to the air shutter where it will burn. The same thing can happen if the orifice becomes slightly obstructed or if the gas pressure is too low.
Bruce
__________________
2016 Rockwood Windjammer 3029W Diamond Edition
2015 Chevy 3500HD LTZ 6.0 Crew Cab 4x4 Long Bed 4.10:1 SRW
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09-18-2020, 04:54 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nomad297
From what I see in the picture, it looks like there may have been a burner tube/air shutter fire. There are several things that can cause this, but some of the most common things are, the flow of gas is somehow restricted between the air shutter and the burner. The burner will ignite first, but the lack of flow will allow the flame to follow the gas inside of the burner tube back to the air shutter where it will burn. The same thing can happen if the orifice becomes slightly obstructed or if the gas pressure is too low.
Bruce
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Look closely at the picture and you'll see no sign of fire damage on burner side of baffle.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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