Submerged deicer….watts and plastic approved?

[Lulu-vt]

trying to fine tune my winter water method like everyone else! How many watts would I need to keep a 5 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples deiced in say 5°?
I know there are so many factors. That there’s no way to know exactly. But I’m wondering if a bird bath deicer of 60watts would work? I’d rather not use more electricity than I need to. I’ve also seen 250 and 500 watts.

Also, my waterer is a 5 gallon plastic bucket with lid. Can you use electric deicers in plastic?

I can insulate from the outside above the nipples. Not sure if that would help.


I travel sometimes so I’m looking for a method to make sure my chickens have water when I’m gone.

 

[aart]

I’m wondering if a bird bath deicer of 60watts would work?

Should work, I use a 50W aquarium heater.
It's in a plastic vessel tho protected against touching the sides.
You'd have to check with the birdbath manufacturer to see if it's safe touching plastic.

 

[TooCheep]

Yes. There are a number of options available. Look for one that is thermostatically controlled, so it will turn on and off to keep the water thawed and not stay on constantly. Also, it should say that it is plastic bucket safe.

Here is an example: Not a specific recommendation.
https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Products-Ultimate-Deicer-Float/dp/B002QXN1EQ

Edit: And yes, I recommend insulating your bucket. It will keep it from losing so much heat and end up costing less in electricity.

 

[Al Gerhart]

It doesn't take much energy to raise the temperature of water just ten degrees. In your case, to keep water at a certain temperature. Lets do a guesstimate or WAG.

Five gallons of water coming out of the tap at 40 degrees, assuming a very cold ground temperature and a deep frost line, bringing the five gallons up 10 degrees using a 250 watt heater would take 122 watt hours, done in around 30 to 35 minutes. Don't think 122 wh hours is high, you buy it in thousand watt hour increments.

Your power is likely around 20 to 23 cents per kwh, figure a 250 watt heater, one quarter of a Kwh per hour or roughly 5 cents per hour if it ran all the time but you have a thermostat so the cost will be a fraction of that. Figure 2 cents assuming you have something to block the wind and some light insulation. So running full tilt a buck twenty a day but more like a quarter to thirty cents a day.

That would cover some really super low temperatures. I'd guess more like ten cents per day with some water heater insulation cut to fit around it and keeping it just above freezing.

With a thermostat I would doubt that even if it touched the side of a plastic water bucket it would do any damage. The water will soak away the heat and the immersion heater might be running three to four minutes at a time tops in very cold temperatures.