Solar lighting

[DonnaScott]

I'm not very good and figuring things out apparently after electrocuting myself about 10 times on the water warmer. I had it plugged into an outdoor plug and extension cord. Went badly.

Could you recommend a cheap but good purchase for solar panel electric in the coop with anything I would need...lighting and heater use even during the day.

Winter is drawing in quick and I hate the guinea hen waters.

 

[southwind00]

I'm not very good and figuring things out apparently after electrocuting myself about 10 times on the water warmer. I had it plugged into an outdoor plug and extension cord. Went badly.

Could you recommend a cheap but good purchase for solar panel electric in the coop with anything I would need...lighting and heater use even during the day.

Winter is drawing in quick and I hate the guinea hen waters

I only use solar for my auto doors on the coop and lighting. To use solar for water heating in the winter you would need a few big(8d) batteries and large solar panels to feed them when the sun is shining. Your in NJ , like NY it may not shine for days at a time but regardless heaters draw so much when it is really cold out it is not cost effective. Large batteries are $250 and up. Your best bet is to invest in a good extension cord to power your heater. Mark where it is and maybe use some plastic electric fence stakes to hold it up if being on the ground creates hazards.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078KPF2Y7/?tag=backy-20

 

[R2elk]

I'm not very good and figuring things out apparently after electrocuting myself about 10 times on the water warmer. I had it plugged into an outdoor plug and extension cord. Went badly.

Could you recommend a cheap but good purchase for solar panel electric in the coop with anything I would need...lighting and heater use even during the day.

Winter is drawing in quick and I hate the guinea hen waters.

Maybe not what you want but this is how I deal with water and freezing temperatures. With your temperatures, using this system should prevent the water from ever freezing. It does not require the use of electricity.

Alternate method to prevent water freezing.

 

[Sydney65]

It's been awhile since this post - re the heater, we installed an outdoor outlet that has both a flashing light -useless- and a buzzer -excellent - that goes off if it trips
.(useless vs. Excellent-tiny flashing light easy to miss. Loud buzzer-you notice).
That way we know before the water freezes. We also put shields (clear box) over the electrical outlet AND where the cords connect, then hung it so it's not lying on ground
I have a small coop, so for lighting, just got some solar hanging light bulbs. I tossed the small solar panels on coop roof. It only took one time failing to install back up battery-operated led lights. - It was roughly an $8 investment for 2, look like light switchs, puts out a powerful light. I haven't had to use them since, but they're there.

 

[Sydney65]

I should note, my "cover" over the power cord connections- i didn't buy. I used a clean, dry plastic bottle (soda, water, etc). I drilled a hole in the cap & cut a slit long ways on one side of bottle. Those bungee cords with balls on one end? I threaded one into cap, ball on the inside & put it back on bottle.I tucked the cord connections inside, & using an S hook, hung it up off of the ground.