Cookie Tin water heater...

[poochgrmr]

This has probably been addressed but I'd like some input so I don't have to search...How do you feel about the homemade cookie tin water heater which you can set plastic or metal waterers on. Have any of you made one? I live in NH and it gets pretty darn cold up this way. Also, my husband is very safety minded. thanks....

 

[JackE]

I made one, it works great. I've used it for the last two winters with no problems. I use a 40W bulb in it. I believe it is safer than the Chinese made warmers you can buy in TractorSupply, for a fraction of the cost. I built it for under $5, vs almost $50 for the T/S warmer.
Jack

 

[GISA farms]

I love the idea of the cookie tin water heater but have a few questions before I build one for our chickens and one for our bunnies.

Does the tin get hot to the touch or just warm enough to keep the water from freezing. I would hate to burn fingers or have a bunny burn its nose.

Do I install the bulb so it touches the top of the tin or just in the middle somewhere?

What kind of light bulb kit is that? Christmas? Could I find it at Menards?

Thanks for any help you can give me.
Stacy

 

[JackE]

I use a standard run of the mill 40W bulb. The cookie tin gets warm to the touch, not hot at all. I used a rubber coated light fixture from Lowes, To wire it I used some scrap electric wire, with a plug from my garage. You could use an old extension cord, that would probably be easier. I made a bracket for the light fixture out of a piece of scrap sheet metal. The fixture/bulb is centered in the cookie tin and attached with pop rivets. The bulb is mounted so it does not touch the cookie tin.
Jack

 

[GISA farms]

Thank you!!

 

[swimmer]

Is it safe to put a plastice waterer on top of?

 

[swimmer]

Also, any luck with a thermo cube?. Trying to figure out a way to have this turn on when the temp goes below 34.

 

[Rhoise]

I've also seen one where you just get a cheap work light from the depot or lowe's and stuff it inside cord hole cut with tin snips and folded down duct taped for sharp edge guard looked easy and holds bulb off bottom of tin.

 

[chickachee]

Also, any luck with a thermo cube?. Trying to figure out a way to have this turn on when the temp goes below 34.

The Thermo Cube I have turns ON at 35 degrees F and OFF at 45 degrees F. The water shouldn't freeze at 35, so it should be fine. Works great for me. I'm in Minnesota.

 

[WinterLadyAK]

What is the coldest temperature any of you have seen? Will the tins keep water unfrozen down to -10F? -20F? I'm guessing not, but haven't been able to find any posts about it.