Here's an inexpensive way to keep your flock warm on those cold winter nights - a Chromalox Screw Base Unit
You're probably never heard of one. It's a light bulb that produces no light - just heat. These were produced (and still are) as a small heating unit for electrical switchgear cabinets, locker room lockers, and such. They screw in a standard light bulb socket, run on standard US 120-volt electricity, and are available in 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 watt models.
When the temperature drops below 20 degrees F, I put one of these in my coop. I use either a 100 watt (SCB-100) watt or 200 watt (SCB-200) unit - they use the same amount of electricity as a 100 or 200 watt light bulb, but there's no wasted light - it's all heat!
If you look on eBay, you will find New Old Stock units for sale. They typically sell for $50 or more, but that's crazy. I've bought several on eBay for less than $20 including shipping. Deals can be found, especially in the warmer months, but you've got to be patient. Keep looking on eBay, you will find one in the recommended price range.
Here's a 200-watt unit I recently bought for $9.95 + $7 shipping
The porcelain light bulb base is important - these things produce too much heat for a plastic drop light or similar thing. They are readily available at real hardware stores - also at Home Cheapo(R) or Blowes(R) - for $5.
Attach the porcelain outlet base to a steel or plastic octagon outlet box (about $1)
By the time you add some Romex wire, wire nuts, and a plug, you'll have invested $30. Plonk the whole thing in an old tall kitchen pot to keep it away from wood shavings, chickens, etc. The kitchen pot in which your darling wife burned the bejesus out of the pot roast will be free, although some cleanup labor may be required.
The Chromalox Screw Base Units were designed to run for the long haul. 20 years from now, you'll probably be using the same one you bought back in 2017 for a paltry $9.95 Your current chickens will be long gone. Your coop may be long gone. Heck, YOU may be long gone by then. But your Chromalox Screw Base Unit will still be on the job...
Emerson Electric (EMR) is one of the Bluest of the "Blue Chip" stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange. They've been around since 1890. In a world filled with cheap Chinese junk, Emerson still makes quality products designed to last.
Dave Hennessey
You're probably never heard of one. It's a light bulb that produces no light - just heat. These were produced (and still are) as a small heating unit for electrical switchgear cabinets, locker room lockers, and such. They screw in a standard light bulb socket, run on standard US 120-volt electricity, and are available in 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 watt models.
When the temperature drops below 20 degrees F, I put one of these in my coop. I use either a 100 watt (SCB-100) watt or 200 watt (SCB-200) unit - they use the same amount of electricity as a 100 or 200 watt light bulb, but there's no wasted light - it's all heat!
If you look on eBay, you will find New Old Stock units for sale. They typically sell for $50 or more, but that's crazy. I've bought several on eBay for less than $20 including shipping. Deals can be found, especially in the warmer months, but you've got to be patient. Keep looking on eBay, you will find one in the recommended price range.
Here's a 200-watt unit I recently bought for $9.95 + $7 shipping
The porcelain light bulb base is important - these things produce too much heat for a plastic drop light or similar thing. They are readily available at real hardware stores - also at Home Cheapo(R) or Blowes(R) - for $5.
Attach the porcelain outlet base to a steel or plastic octagon outlet box (about $1)
By the time you add some Romex wire, wire nuts, and a plug, you'll have invested $30. Plonk the whole thing in an old tall kitchen pot to keep it away from wood shavings, chickens, etc. The kitchen pot in which your darling wife burned the bejesus out of the pot roast will be free, although some cleanup labor may be required.
The Chromalox Screw Base Units were designed to run for the long haul. 20 years from now, you'll probably be using the same one you bought back in 2017 for a paltry $9.95 Your current chickens will be long gone. Your coop may be long gone. Heck, YOU may be long gone by then. But your Chromalox Screw Base Unit will still be on the job...
Emerson Electric (EMR) is one of the Bluest of the "Blue Chip" stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange. They've been around since 1890. In a world filled with cheap Chinese junk, Emerson still makes quality products designed to last.
Dave Hennessey
