Solar heated base for chicken waterer

[Rangergord]

Except that the panel puts out 100 watts on a bright summer day pointed directly at the sun. In the cold dark winter less than 30 watts at 12V. Inverters require 10 times that much power to make 120V. I would suggest taking your questions to the experts on one of the solar power forums like DIYSolar.com before you spend any money.

 

[AntiqueB]

Car batteries can't fully discharge, either. Even the marine batteries shouldn't be allowed to fall below around 50%. Unless you want to spend money on specialty batteries, the least draw is what you're looking for.

A thermostat switch can be invaluable: turn off the heat at 2.5°C, turn it on at 1°C. To try to keep a waterer heated continuously on a shoestring system will not work.

 

[Rangergord]

Car batteries can't fully discharge, either. Even the marine batteries shouldn't be allowed to fall below around 50%. Unless you want to spend money on specialty batteries, the least draw is what you're looking for.

A thermostat switch can be invaluable: turn off the heat at 2.5°C, turn it on at 1°C. To try to keep a waterer heated continuously on a shoestring system will not work.

Absolutely correct. Panels, Batteries and Inverters are not very straightforward devices. Each of them have areas of strength, combined with weaknesses that will get you when you least expect it. Hence be careful about spending money before you understand what’s at stake. There is a lot of politicized, magical thinking about solar power and batteries that is simply incorrect.

 

[Rangergord]

Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are now less expensive than good deep cycle lead acid batteries. They need compatible solar charge controllers that cost more than the $10 ones offered in many kits. They can be discharged completely up to 4000 cycles so one LFP battery can replace two lead acid batteries and have 10 times the lifespan.

 

[BDutch]

Cloudy days, and night time puts it into no service stage.

You get less electricity on cloudy days from a solar panel. If the sun is shining behind the clouds and no buildings block the invisible sunbeam, you still get electricity during the day.

 

[smithoffgrid]

Hello everyone!

I found this thread looking to see if anyone else has attempted this. I’ve seen a lot of questions about using solar to heat chicken water but I haven’t seen anyone try it out.

Last week I set up a 190 watt solar panel and wired it directly to a 48V DC (1500w rated) electric heating element and it actually worked super well.

Our water freezes solid overnight but with a little sun it’s mostly thawed by noon, and another hour after that I’ve seen it get pretty warm. Definitely varies given the amount of sun but even on a mixed overcast day it’s been able to melt most of the ice.

Today I got a 15 gallon water container I’m going to try it out on next. The bucket I used for my test was kinda small so I’m curious to see how it performs with a much larger volume of water.

Here’s a video I made of that first test:

 

[Maiahr]

Hi.. I just posted a comment in the other thread. I shop from aliexpress and there are different heaters there. Buy a 12v heater, no need for inverter. I have clocks on my heaters, and they only heat the waterers and the feeders during the day when chicken are awake. So I don't need a battery either. I don't recommend submersible heater as the shop guy told me it is dangerous to leave it unattended as there always MUST be water in the waterer.
I haven't read all the responses here so apologies if the above has already been discussed.
Well, I am going to dig out snow now so I can reach the chicken coop. 50cm of snow here...

 

[Maiahr]

@smithoffgrid very interesting. I am not an expert, so help me understand - the solar panel produces 12V, right? You heater is 48V?

 

[smithoffgrid]

@Maiahr The solar panel actually produces about 20V. The 48V rating for the heating element is more of a max voltage recommendation. No issues at all if you're below that.

The main thing that determines if the heating element will work with a specific solar panel is the element's resistance. Which you can measure with a multimeter or calculate using ohms law.

It's a pretty simple setup though if you wanted to build it out yourself. I included links to all the specific parts I used in the description of the video.

 

[BDutch]

Our water freezes solid overnight but with a little sun it’s mostly thawed by noon,

Do you bring fresh water in the morning and rely on the solar panel during the day?

Our neighbour has a battery with solar panel that can be charged by the sun and (overnight) on electricity too to give it s boost if needed. They use is for an electric fence. But I reckon it can be used to warm water too.

I searched on the internet what such a set costs but could only find a smaller one for € 45.- for lights and mobile charger.
https://www.conrad.nl/nl/p/easymaxx...k-op-zonne-energie-18-w-4500-mah-3222051.html

I wonder if this would work a small water heater. My water heater has the same socket as the lights in the picture.