Frozen Side Mounted Horizontal Nipples - How to keep them from Freezing?

[hillbillyreefer]

You need a bigger heater. I’d go thermostatically controlled 500w, that should solve your problem right down to -40F.

 

[PingoBags]

You might beable to just add some insulation around the bucket to hold heat better.
If you have a small submersible water pump or a small air pump for a fish tank, you can try adding one of them to help circulate the water. Still water freezes faster.

Mine uses 100 watt ceramic heat emitter bulb, 5 gallon plastic bucket. It also runs through 1/2" and 1" pvc pipe.
Here's my last logs. It wasn't super cold last night but was in the teens. No ice on the nipples or in the bucket.
Insulation to help hold the heat and circulated water.

2017-12-16 17:52 / Water Temp 8.0C / Coop Temp -4.94C / Is heat on True
2017-12-16 18:42 / Water Temp 10.0C / Coop Temp -5.5C / Is heat on False

2017-12-17 00:24 / Water Temp 8.0C / Coop Temp -8.31C / Is heat on True
2017-12-17 01:17 / Water Temp 10.0C / Coop Temp -8.13C / Is heat on False

2017-12-17 06:30 / Water Temp 8.0C / Coop Temp -8.06C / Is heat on True
2017-12-17 07:21 / Water Temp 10.0C / Coop Temp -7.81C / Is heat on False

 

[JMotuzick]

Latestarter is a better writer then me! My set up is the same! Works great like we both said a bit of freeze up every couple days. 250w heater at tsc!

 

[jreardon1918]

We have had some sort of cold in Southeast Mass last night this morning. The temp was 16F over night. Still that temp as the sun finally hits the coop. We have a 5 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples. Use a 250 watt heater from tractor supply. no ice. in the bucket and the nipples are working fine. This is the submersible heater we use. The water is cool to the touch. This is a link to the heater. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farm-innovators-ice-chaser-multi-use-utility-deicer.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us
You've already been given good advice, I also like @aart 's setup and @R2elk has a wonderful article out there.

ETA: I do trust Premier 1 so your link is probably doable as well.

 

[aart]

Hmmm.....I'm also wondering if the unit is defective....and what your location is.
I remember reading about this unit last year,
and asking to see a pic of inside,
sides are not insulated?

I use a 50W aquarium heater in my setup, good to -12F so far...
....and only costs $2-3 a month(data collected for 3 months with Kil-A-Watt device)

 

[Terri126]

well shoot ! Been wanting one of these as they sound the easiest to use. Guess not. Thanks for posting . Maybe if its setting on something different ? cement stays cold..

 

[Terri126]

Yes, Don't waste your money. This is the second one. The first one died after about 2 months and then they sent me a new one last year. Didn't get to use it until now. And now this one is not working. I also noticed it's no longer available on Amazon or their website. Looks like a new design now. I'm hoping to call them and ask if they will just replace it with a different model and I'll just pay the difference in cost. Maybe, as some are suggesting, a higher wattage item.

 

[Latestarter]

You need a bigger heater. I’d go thermostatically controlled 500w, that should solve your problem right down to -40F.

Kinda like hunting with a howitzer... It'll get the job done but maybe a bit overkill...

 

[Terri126]

OK, so here's an update. After reading many of the suggestions here, and I sincerely appreciate and thank all of you!! In my research, I have found a new item that Farm Innovators came out with. I called and they said it works specifically for what I want to do. I also e-maild ChickenNipples.com (makers of the horizontal nipples) and they too suggested this item. It is only 150 Watt, but every company I called said that should be more than enough for a 5 gallon bucket only half full. Here's the link if anyone is interested :https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I57ZFEU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping this will work. It is supposed to arrive by Thursday, but now we will be in the 40's and 50's here for the next week...UGH. So I will check back and let you know how it works when we have some freezing weather again.

Thanks again!!!