hot water heater running "dry"

[photokit]

So, as we were making up the dinette after a night at camp, we hit the switch to turn the Hot water heater on. I heard the propane, and thought there was a leak at the stove, darn. The heater cycled on maybe 4 times before I found the culprit. What kind of damage have I done? I was thinking that I wouldn't know the answer to that until I de-winterized and filled it, mid april. Thoughts?

 

[jim44646]

Probably no damage. Overheating limit switch kept the tank from overheating that's why it was cycling. Now if the electric heating element was on The element would have burned out.

 

[photokit]

Thanks Jim, I was boon docking so did not have the heater on. Whew.