Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Hey folks,
I've got heat tape but am real leary of using it. System available here that just circulates heated water instead of using the cable (pictures). Costs 1k+ bucks and just takes care of drinkers. Just had a brainstorm that I think will serve the same purpose plus, and save a bunch of money. Hoping someone can tell me if it'll work or not. The store bought one:
Pump/heater:
the plan:
I was thinking of putting a 5 gal or so water heater (<100 bucks) in place of the mega buck system, setting it to the frost free mode (or a few degrees above freezing) and just using the same drinker schematic and a small circulator pump (on a frost switch). At the same time, I could plumb in a faucet to give me a source of hot water if needed (I know I'd have to turn the temp up).
The room I would put it in usually don't freeze but has a small heater on a frost switch just in case.
I think, if it will work, that the water heater/circulation pump, won't use any (or much) more power than the heat tape and will be safer with the benefit of serving a double purpose....
I have everything on hand except the heater.
Am I an idiot????
Dave
I've got heat tape but am real leary of using it. System available here that just circulates heated water instead of using the cable (pictures). Costs 1k+ bucks and just takes care of drinkers. Just had a brainstorm that I think will serve the same purpose plus, and save a bunch of money. Hoping someone can tell me if it'll work or not. The store bought one:
Pump/heater:
the plan:
I was thinking of putting a 5 gal or so water heater (<100 bucks) in place of the mega buck system, setting it to the frost free mode (or a few degrees above freezing) and just using the same drinker schematic and a small circulator pump (on a frost switch). At the same time, I could plumb in a faucet to give me a source of hot water if needed (I know I'd have to turn the temp up).
The room I would put it in usually don't freeze but has a small heater on a frost switch just in case.
I think, if it will work, that the water heater/circulation pump, won't use any (or much) more power than the heat tape and will be safer with the benefit of serving a double purpose....
I have everything on hand except the heater.
Am I an idiot????
Dave