Posted 2010-04-18 9:14 PM (#119001) Subject: solar water tanks
Member
Posts: 44 Location: Pineville Missouri
Yes I know this is spring time but after paying electric bills this winter; we are planning ahead for next winter. Question is, has any one used the solar water trough that is for sale in Horse.com? Here is the link: http://www.horse.com/item/Solar-Powered-Water-Trough/BSA40/ Open for options!!!!
Posted 2010-04-19 5:55 AM (#119006 - in reply to #119001) Subject: RE: solar water tanks
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Iowa
You still have to haul water to it. That will bite in freezing temps and blowing snow. I'm afraid you'll have a frozen garden hose too. Check your local farm store, I'll bet you can buy a nice automatic waterer for a few bucks more with a heater already in it. I'd rather pay the electric bill myself.
Posted 2010-04-20 2:16 PM (#119076 - in reply to #119001) Subject: RE: solar water tanks
Location: KY
Several years ago I read an article about digging a hole, putting gravel in then putting the water tank on top of the gravel somewhat in the hole. We are going to try this near the barn (and near the location of the water hydrant) and hopefully it will help with the water next winter. Has anyone tried this method?
Posted 2010-05-02 5:29 PM (#119625 - in reply to #119001) Subject: RE: solar water tanks
Member
Posts: 20
Location: Midland, MI
Living in MI, winter water is an issue. Being in MO you will not have as much below freezing temps. But when we had a tank heater, our electric bill jumped over $100 a month! I now use heated buckets. It is a bit more trouble to keep them filled, but even with two plugged in all winter long, the electric bill only jumps maybe $20 a month.
I heard a couple people here in MI say the water will still freeze in the solar tanks when the temps drop to below zero. Hopefully it won't get THAt cold in Missouri!
They use no electricity and keep you water from freezing by only dispensing as the horse drinks. The valve is 5 feet in the ground and below the frost line. The horses learn to wait the 1-2 seconds for the bowl to fill up.
solar water tanks
