Anyone Tried This Solution For Cold Weather Water?

[AtholCoop]

http://hoofinitnorth.com/poultryh2oheater.htm

I bought a couple of the heaters yesterday at my local parts store and plan on trying this, with a small change. I'm just going to glue them directly to the bottom of my founts and skip the oil pan bit. Mostly because my founts hang VS sit on a stand.

Naturally we just went from -6 to +40 so NOW I don't really need to worry about freezing water, but winter isn't over just yet.

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Two years ago I first saw these pad heaters (they were 32W) offered for sale on EBAy. I have looked eversince to find some that small or as small as the 75W unit you found.

I thought then that this would be a great product to use to heat poultry water vessels.

I really like the idea of attaching them to the oil pan (or some other such like) better than to the bottom of the water like you are contemplating. But I would consider adding some reflective radiant insulation to the pan. And why not a cookie tin? These pads should work better/longer than a light bulb in that application.

It seems like the place you bought the heater is somewhat regional. None of them here in the midwest that I can find. Is there a manufacturer name on the products so we could look for it at NAPA, Advance Auto, etc?

Thanks for your help.

 

[sben451]

I was reading this thread because I am interested in making some type of heater for my chicken waterers. These type of heaters are available on Amazon.com. Not sure about the exact size (watts) that would be needed.

 

[AtholCoop]

I was unable to find a 75watt version anywhere. I did find a 100 watt version that I figure is close enough.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/FIV0/24100B.oap?keyword=oil+pan+heater

 

[TC_BokBok]

Here is my solution that I posted up on my blog. It has not failed me yet using a 2gal. water bucket and nipple watering system.

http://tcbokbok.blogspot.com/2010/12/frozen-water-problem-solved.html

 

[pluckinaround]

here is what we did this winter... it only got as low as 16degree but it kept the water from freezing. I have a 5 gal (?) metal waterer. it sits at the entrance of the house that has an attached (all wired in) open area of the coop . It is right next to the wire wall. I took the fabric cover off of a heating pad and placed the vinyl covered pad under the waterer. I keep it on low and check it twice a day. no more frozen water and because it goes out and the chickens can't get to teh cord they don't mess with it and the waterer coversd the apd so they can't mess with it either...

 

[unionwirewoman]

Quote:
That's a good idea in theory , but I would never contemplate doing it . The heating pads have wires running through them and are not designed to have 24/7 weight on them . You will create hot spots in the insulation on the wires running through that pad , and it will only be a matter of time before it shorts out , creates a fire , or electrocutes your chickens . I don't mean to sound rude , but it's JMO .

 

[AtholCoop]

I played with these oil pan heaters a bunch this weekend and learned one thing. They get WICKED hot. Since my water heater outlets are already thermostatically controlled these things won't be on 100% of the time but when they are on I need some way to control heat output . So I'm going to wire them in with a dimmer switch between the thermostat, and the outlet. Means that they will trigger on when interior coop temps fall below freezing, but I don't have to worry about turning my coop into a steam bath.

 

[AtholCoop]

Quote:
I've tried the nipple waterers, and in fact had every intention of just dropping a dog water heater into a 5 gallon bucket, but since my waterers hang that means that I have to leave the lid on to keep the top of the bucket from deforming. Taking the @#)$(*@#)$(* lid off with gloves on is a royal pain in the butt. My other complaint is that with the nipple on the bottom of the bucket I have no way of setting the bucket down when I fill it. Dunno 'bout you but standing there holding a 5 gallon bucket, and managing the end of a hose is kind of a pain for me, and all but impossible for my wife.

 

[Scottingitup]

I've been thinking about trying a 9"x9" seed warming mat, only 17 watts.