Is a 200 watt bird bath heater safe to use in plastic bucket waterer?

[SteveE]

I'm choosing between winter watering systems reliable to zero F, which won't happen often but often enough. I happen to have an unused 200 watt bird bath water heater (API Model WPU300). It has a built in 40F shut off themostat.

QUESTION.... Is 200 watt too much for a plastic bucket/cooler setup? The instructions don't say anything about materials for the reservoir, but being meant for bird baths the manufacturer might have just assumed one is using concrete, pottery, etc.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Yes you can use that heater in a plastic bucket.

 

[RoosterML]

I'm choosing between winter watering systems reliable to zero F, which won't happen often but often enough. I happen to have an unused 200 watt bird bath water heater (API Model WPU300). It has a built in 40F shut off themostat.

QUESTION.... Is 200 watt too much for a plastic bucket/cooler setup? The instructions don't say anything about materials for the reservoir, but being meant for bird baths the manufacturer might have just assumed one is using concrete, pottery, etc.

That’s a lot of juice to use to keep water thawed. If it’s for bird baths I suspect it’s fine for plastic also. Maybe email manufacturer if possible.

 

[Cebarmlds]

My DH uses a 1500 w bucket heater to heat water for work, it'll boil the water but doesnt harm the plastic bucket. So a 200 watt is not a problem.