Need to power 125 Watt "chicken water heater" - complete rookie with solar

[gmanInPA]

One could bury a tank too I suppose - or do like the French of old and build a hot bed and place the water tank in there. It's a problem that has no solution that is something that could be easily packaged or implemented - then again, that is what draws many to homesteading in the first place.

[Sunking]

foxriverrat -The best means I've seen for doing this yet was to surround a tank or tote full of water with a huge mound of fresh wood chips. Over the winter, they'll compost (to a point) and keep your water from freezing. Anything exposed outside the pile won't be warm, but it might allow you to keep warm(er) water near chickens (or other livestock).

Smart man.

Throw in some hay and chicken manure will add some more heat, and speed up the process. In spring sell the compost and let the kids earn the money.

[gmanInPA]

because you said:
How many chickens is that?

LOL... home-raised chickens are expensive-enough as it is. We call them 'million dollar eggs' at our house... sure do taste good tho!

[Sunking]

to help me understand. why wouldn't this 150 watt kit work? ($280) thanks again.

because you said:

To run a 125 watt water heater, 24/7

125 watts x 24 hours is 3000 Watt Hours. Assuming you live in TX where you can get 3 to 4 Sun Hours in Winter would take:

Panel Wattage = 1500 watts. Will 150 watt panel work? No it takes about $3000 of panels
24 volt Battery = 625 AH. That battery cost $3000 and weighs 800 pounds.
24 Volt 60 Amp Charge Controller = $600.
24 volt 200 watt Inverter. = $100.

Do you live in TX with excellent Winter Sun Shine? If you did, you would not need to heat the water. That means you likely need more than 1500 watt solar pane and mo money.

Do yourself a favor. Run a line and pay the power company 30-cents per day to run the heater. That $3000 battery you get to replace in a few years at higher cost. How many chickens is that?

One thing for sure, your competition does not use solar. If he did, he could not compete and go out of biz.

[gmanInPA]

foxriverrat - boy, if that were easily done, you'd have countless homesteaders very pleased. I've often told me family, "if I could invent something to keep the chicken waterers from freezing, that did not require electricity, and could be packaged, I'd be a millionaire". You can do it with solar technically, but the amount of heat needed to de-ice/warm water is significant, therefore, the solar (or really battery) power needs are huge. Add to that bad news, the fact that when you need such a solution the most, is when there is the least amount of sun available.

The best means I've seen for doing this yet was to surround a tank or tote full of water with a huge mound of fresh wood chips. Over the winter, they'll compost (to a point) and keep your water from freezing. Anything exposed outside the pile won't be warm, but it might allow you to keep warm(er) water near chickens (or other livestock).

We've found the best solution so far to be.... teenagers

[SunEagle]

to help me understand. why wouldn't this 150 watt kit work? ($280) thanks again.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Sol...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Because that kit does not include any batteries which is needed to run that 125 watt heater when the sun isn't strong enough to provide enough power. The cost of the batteries and charge controller ends up being a big part of a solar / battery system.

[adoublee]

Don't believe everything you hear on the internet.

[foxriverrat]

to help me understand. why wouldn't this 150 watt kit work? ($280) thanks again.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Sol...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[foxriverrat]

oh my god man! wow. I thought one of those harbor freight kits might do the job for a little chicken water heater. dang. thanks for letting me know though. Guess I have to run electric from my house! I live in Northern Illinois by the way, but I guess it doesn't matter at this point

[Wy_White_Wolf]

Have about $10K to $20k burning a hole in your pocket? That's the range this would fall into using solar. We also need you location to run any kind of an accurate estimation. You're looking at using 3000WH a day (125W * 24H). That is not a small load for off-grid.

WWW

[foxriverrat]

Hi all!, I need to power the water heater for my chickens. I could run electric to the coop or put a solar panel/kit on the coop which is what I'm leaning towards. Only thing is, I know nothing about electrical work or solar. If you could be so kind as to me guide me.

To run a 125 watt water heater, 24/7 what sort of solar panel kit do I need? How big of panels? How big of batteries to store energy for cloudy days? How do I wire my solar kit to accept a normal (USA) outlet plug? Thank you!!!