I bought two of these and as soon as the temp hit 25 degrees both are freezing up! Does the water level have to stay low in the bowl to work?
1874495
I have also purchased 2 of these at different times and they work no matter if water level is low or full.
1874496
My never freezing up. But when it gets frozen over the top with hard snow. When I break the snow and ice off. The water is not frozen.
1874497
Thats not good. It should not matter how much water is in there sounds like they are broken. Mine broke midway through the second winter I had it.
1874498
No. I have one and the temp gets to 25 below zero and it still works properly. I suggest that you return the item.
836694
I've not taken the temp of the heated water. I don't know what birds can tolerate but none of them seem to have a problem. We've had maybe a total of 10 days below freezing this winter and a few of those had lows in the teens. That's really cold for us. Because I have a shallow bird bath, I didn't give a second thought to adding water ever day. Evaporation due to the heater? Maybe a luttle bit.
46914
I assume it must be an internal thermostat that kicks on when temperatures are below freezing. I used the Allied Plastic Heated Pet Bowl for water this past winter. We had the coldest winter we have had in over 25 years, and the water never froze once. I've already put the bowl out this year. The water is always cool and never gets hot, and the outside cats love having fresh unfrozen water! I would highly recommend this product.
2088124
It's just supposed to keep a circle of non-frozen water around the heater. Only when the temp really drops (like 20 degrees F or lower) do I sometimes see some "foam/bubbles" right around the heater in the non-frozen water. Should not get "warm" as you say. What's nice is that this heater only works to thaw the ice when the weather says it needs to and shuts off when it's not needed.
862660
I've never had this style freeze; The heating element heats the area under the water pan and keeps the space under the pan warm. You would need to go below your freeze line and install a good tube....should work.
1902696
Never had a problem when the temp. was below 30degs.Lost my last one while ducking hunting, temp was around 30, water temp was cold, ice on surface in areas. I did not dive in after it, ordered another one.
1956307
First check the electrical outlet with a light or a tester and see if you have power there . Did you have some water in the bowl ? There is thermostatic stop if there is no water so the plastic does not melt . It's only a 60 watt element to keep the water warm . If you have a problem let me know .
1620341
Yep, the heat may be shut off (via a switch in the back) thereby just giving room-temp water. The cold water has a stat / adjustment nob. I've simply left it at the factory setting...cold but not too cold for me...
209724
the bowl is an (aluminum?) bucket. It gets very cold...well below zero F.There is likely a thin glaze of freeze but nothing that i ever saw as a nuisance
620758
They are not supposed to "cool" the water. They will keep water cold (I add ice cubes) for a good 20 hours. Contigo says there is a lifetime warranty on them. Maybe you have a faulty one??? Contact Amazon if that's where you bought it.
506579
I live in Milwaukee and the temps dropped to - 20 last winter and any water in the pipe freezes. It can freeze solid if enough water is in the pipe.
46911
I found the following explanation in an FAQ on the Miller Manufacturing Company (makers of the bowl) website:Q: Water freezes at 32°F. Why does the deicer turn on in the 40° range and not in the mid 30s?A: As water cools it get denser and sinks to the bottom of the tank, but once the temperature drops below 40°F, water actually gets lighter and remains at the surface. Thus, the surface can get colder and start freezing even though the water just a few inches below the surface is still at 40°. Therefore, to make sure the deicer protects the tank, all deicers are set to turn on above 40°F. I found the following explanation in an FAQ on the Miller Manufacturing Company (makers of the bowl) website:Q: Water freezes at 32°F. Why does the deicer turn on in the 40° range and not in the mid 30s?A: As water cools it get denser and sinks to the bottom of the tank, but once the temperature drops below 40°F, water actually gets lighter and remains at the surface. Thus, the surface can get colder and start freezing even though the water just a few inches below the surface is still at 40°. Therefore, to make sure the deicer protects the tank, all deicers are set... » Read More I found the following explanation in an FAQ on the Miller Manufacturing Company (makers of the bowl) website:Q: Water freezes at 32°F. Why does the deicer turn on in the 40° range and not in the mid 30s?A: As water cools it get denser and sinks to the bottom of the tank, but once the temperature drops below 40°F, water actually gets lighter and remains at the surface. Thus, the surface can get colder and start freezing even though the water just a few inches below the surface is still at 40°. Therefore, to make sure the deicer protects the tank, all deicers are set to turn on above 40°F. « Show Less
1640078
These have an internal thermostat which turns the heater on when the temp drops to near freezing, once it warms up enough the thermostat shuts the heater off. This should have no problem keeping 20 gallons from freezing and my water in freezing temps doesn't get above 40-50 degrees. The internal thermostat keeps from heating the water too much.
862659
I had some trouble when it was -20F. the heater that comes with the unit is adjustable. It gets very warm/ hot when you turn it all the way hot. The water still freezes over some on the top.
2080261
Hello, when it's really cold you need to start with completely thawed water, and mine will still freeze up to a few inches from the heater but the birds still get the little bit of water that they need. If you have colder weather than me you may need a more powerful heater? Hope that helps. Elizabeth
358794
The heater just keeps it so it won't freeze. It does not make the water hot. I think it stays about 32 degrees.
2088121
The unit only keeps the small opening in the center ice free, not around the outer part of the unit. Did you put in water or on top of ice? It will not melt ice, in fact once the temperature gets to about 5 degrees for any length of time, the hole will freeze up.