Damage will result if element comes on when tank is dry in a water heater. I live in a community where the water is constantly being shut off and the element burns out. Is there a type off blow back valve that can be installed to prevent the tank from going dry.

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Originally Posted by BUZZARDBOYLE

Damage will result if element comes on when tank is dry IN A WATER HEATER. i LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE THE WATER IS CONSTANTLY BEING SHUT OFF AND THE ELEMENT BURNS OUT. IS THERE A TYPE OFF BLOW BACK VALVE THAT CAN BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT THE TANK FROM GOING DRY.

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... looking into a low water pressure cutoff switch that can be used to shut off power to the hot water heater when the water pressure drops. These are commonly used with water pumps in homes with wells but might be adapted to your situation. They require a manual reset after tripping.

ThANKS FOR THE LOW PREASURE... IDEA... maybe there is a water heater made with such I will look into it... I am now replacing the heater element... I,m paralyzed in the legs so this is a task... crawling around... but I believe you are on the right track... thanks so much for your help

A simple check valve or back flow preventer should work. You must instal an expansion tank between the heater and valve. The low pressure switch should work too, and maybe be easier and cheaper to install.

I have to contact the manufacture, there is a red,maybe a reset button on the electrical component of the waterheater. BUT, LISTEN to this, no hot water all last night, tank was full, went to drain and noticed the hose warm, how did it repair itself... very strange... the was full 5 or 6 hours no hot... I NOT CRAZY... BUT JUST TOOK A NICE WARM SHOWER... GO FIGURE

Some electrical devices including better motors, have overloads. They are a switch mounting in the windings that opens when too hot, and closes when it cools off. Your water heater may have one too.

With your ongoing problems, you really need the low water cutoff or check valve.

It Is A Trailor... would You Know If They... ie The Low Water Or Check Valves Are Made In Plastic Pipe This Would Certainly Make The This Preventitive Trouble Shouting Much Easier

I am not sure if check valves are available in PVC or not. They must have an expansion tank too. They could be easily installed in PVC piping with a couple of male pipe adapters.

A low water cut off would be even easier. Cut the pipe and cement in a PVC tee. Add a threaded adapter to fit the low pressure cut off switch.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BUZZARDBOYLE

Damage will result if element comes on when tank is dry IN A WATER HEATER. i LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE THE WATER IS CONSTANTLY BEING SHUT OFF AND THE ELEMENT BURNS OUT. IS THERE A TYPE OFF BLOW BACK VALVE THAT CAN BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT THE TANK FROM GOING DRY? ** LISTEN to this, no hot water all last night, tank was full, went to drain and noticed the hose warm, how did it repair itself..........very strange.......the was full 5 or 6 hours no hot..................I NOT CRAZY.............BUT JUST TOOK A NICE WARM SHOWER...........GO FIGURE.

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Your heater siphons back into the main as the men open it up to work on it and the water drains out.
This can be avoided one of two ways.
(1) Install a backflow preventer at the meter--or--
(2) Install a check valve on the cold water supply to the heater.
Be advised that if you install either of these that you will also have to install a expansion tank on the cold water supply.

As for your heater turning on by itself, that can be explained by the overload function of the top thermostat. When the temperature gets too hot or there's a overload the top thermostat cuts the power off.
This can be reset by one of two methods.
(1) push the red reset button--or--
(2) in your case it waits until things cool off and it resets itself

Good luck, Tom