Little Steppers

Guest · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject: Heaters for water troughs

Any ideas on the best water trough heaters? Or maybe it's not the heaters and I need someone who knows how to use them LOL

I have three of them. The one gets the water too hot, I figure it must run up the electric bill since it never shuts off. Plus it evaporates the water and gets empty too fast. Another one I have shuts off when it's not cold enough, but I guess adding apple cider vinegar may not be good because it turned the heater and water to rust. And the biggest problem I'm having is more than two will keep blowing the fuse

With the two heat lamps also going for / incase new babies are born, I'm afraid the fuse will blow in the night when I'm sleeping and babies would freeze.

I think I remember in Wisconsin winters using the smaller electric water pales. They didn't seem to run the electric bill up and I think they didn't freeze but not sure.

Guest · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:38 pm Post subject:

We use three five gallon pails w/electrical cords attacted and some we use the red heater with the wire/ shield around the heater so it can't touch the bottom and sides of the plastic half barrels. If it is throwing a breaker it must be shorting out some place. If the heater is warming the water too much get a timer and regulate how much time to use it.
Yes the apple cider is more then likely rusting the elements and metal on the heaters.
Hope I helped some.

Guest · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:13 am Post subject:

I think I like the idea of the 5 gallon pails with cords. We don't get below freezing very long so maybe those would work. I've tried some of that kind before, some kept the water from freezing and some didn't. I think I could still use the cider with those without rust.

Never thought about the rust before I added the cider.

Hubby needs to add more electric. I think all outside outlets on the house are all on the same fuse thingy. He'll have to fix that OR I'll be bringing them in
Thanks Pat!

pyrgirl · I am a gonner Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 1559

Hey Joyce, I just bought a new water heater. The first one was rusting alot and I didn't want it to stop working in the middle of a freezing night.
I got the new one at TSC. It cost a little more but works better. It is cast aluminum and the cage is painted so it doesn't rust. It heats better than the cheap other one that I had. You have to buy the cage separately and put it together, but it was worth it.
Hope you figure out a good solution.
I'm trying to find a way to keep my hoses from freezing!!

Guest · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

Thanks Patty, I will check it out. I don't remember needing them this often before, but I for sure need more of them this year ( more goats)
Two more to pick up plus babies due anyday. Wish we had built the new barn instead of having a bathroom

Priorities you know!