Need help with off grid chicken coop......

[scotty16]

I have a small farm in Hanover County Va that has no electricity. Eventually we will build a house but not until the kids are grown or can drive. I have a pole barn and a well with a hand pump out there and that is about it. When I called the power company they quoted me about $40,000.00 to bring power to the barn. If it was a house it would be less based on the use of power.

All that being said, last Easter I let my kids talk me into getting chickens. Now we have a coop and just started getting eggs. My concern is come winter the chickens are going to freeze or at least their water will freeze. Most folks just put a 60 watt bulb in the coop and that keeps things warm enough to not freeze.

So-What are my options for a solar powered system that will keep a 60 watt bulb going 24/7 in a chicken coop. I have plenty of open field to set panels in so they could soak up all the sunlight available in the winter. I wouldn't mind being able to turn on a few other lights in the barn too for short periods as well.

If money was no object, which it is, what would the experts recommend?

Thanks!
Scotty

[russ]

Chicken soup?

[Sunking]

You have to decide if it is worth it or not, but it would take:

700 watt Solar Panel array
60 Amp MPPT Charge Controller
600 AH 12 Volt Battery
200 to 400 Watt Inverter

Expected cost for the listed materials around $2,700 plus misc material and labor.

[Mike90250]

At least for running an incandescent light for heat, you can use a cheap mod-sine inverter.

[scotty16]

Suggestions?????

Well can anyone think of any way to keep water from freezing without electricity from a power company. Perhaps the 60 watt bulb is not the answer. What about a small 12 volt heater placed under the water pan? I have seen the little heaters that plug into a cigarette lighter? If I keep it inside the coop it will be protected from the wind. $2700.00 to keep a 60 watt bulb burning is steep!

What about a wind/solar combo? It's always windy at the farm? I dont want to give up on trying to make this work, but it is starting to look like chicken soup........

Thanks for your time!

Scotty

[Sunking]

What about a small 12 volt heater placed under the water pan? I have seen the little heaters that plug into a cigarette lighter?

What wattage? if it is say 60 watts or more you gain nothing.

What about a wind/solar combo? It's always windy at the farm? I dont want to give up on trying to make this work, but it is starting to look like chicken soup........

Unless you have gail force winds 24 x 7 x 365, wind is useless. and requires a very tall tower to elevate it up.

How far is this chicken coop from the house where there is electric power?

[john p]

I think if the power co is wanting $40,000 to bring power to the barn its a damn long way from any house or anything that is connected to the grid..

Why the inverter ?whats wrong with 12v bulbs?/ 60w is 60w and no inverter loss