If the bird bath has no water in it will it damage the heater?
594511
I beleive it is thermastically controlled and will turn itself off when there is no water. Temperature (<32 degrees) and moisture need to be present for device to function.
594512
I think the heater is thermostatically controlled and would turn off. I just purchased one but will add water as required to keep the level above the heater due to evaporation or bird drinking.
594513
I beleive it is thermastically controlled and will turn itself off when there is no water. Temperature (&lt;32 degrees) and moisture need to be present for device to function.
2254680
I have not checked water temp, but it heats to above freezing in my large rubber tub bird bath (probably about 20 gal) no matter how low the air temp has been.
1064619
No. It's a light, not a heater. It looks like there are heated perches available. Maybe that would help.....
492541
I am not sure. I have my birdbath close to the house and check it out the kitchen window a lot. I keep water in it all the time. I have not had any problems so far. I would unplug it if I left for a long period of time just in case. Mine gets filled about every other day. My friend has one and she has never complained about any problems either. She has used hers for years. If she had any problems she would have told me for sure.
1422235
It really depends more on the heater than the bath. Many will work with this one. This is a pretty sturdy bath, but you will want to ensure that the heater or deicer you are using is safe for all types of birdbaths. Also, you'll want to know the size of bath your heater will work with. The bowl on this bath is about 19 inches in diameter and around 3 inches deep (these are not mass produced, so the dimensions will vary from piece to piece).
595813
You may use the bath year-round. The manufacturer suggests purchasing a birdbath de-icer; just make sure the de-icer can withstand the temperatures in your area. If you are not able to keep your water from freezing during the winter, you may remove the basin and invert it over the pedestal or take the whole bath indoors. Your main concern is to prevent the water from freezing.
2014364
Yes, it shuts off at 35 degrees. Mine ran for weeks at a time with this freezing weather and I didn't notice any increase in my electric bill.I now know not to use the heater in a concrete birdbath so I ordered a metal birdbath for next winter. I had surgery and couldn't monitor the amount of water in it so it basically ran dry for a few days. Make sure there is water in it at all times.I hope this answers your question.
2058392
Yes, I've had this bird bath heater for 2 years and it works great; I use an heavy duty outdoor extension cord (25')
600718
Yes, the heater is controlled thermostatically. Here's what it says on the manufacturer's site: "Guaranteed to provide your birds with water down to -20 degrees F. Has a 60 watt thermostatically controlled and insulated heating element enclosed and sealed." (http://www.songbirdessentials.com/store.php?prodID=44707&title;=Heated_Bird_Bath_itemno_SE509) Hope this helps!
757640
The instructions warn you not to let it run dry. I can only assume that it will damage the heater if you do.
2235226
can't really answer that- depends on how much water, surface area, etc, since that's the physics of heat loss and gain. My sense is that it adds at least 20-30 degrees F to the ambient temperature of the water in a typical bird bath.
417471
Yes, just don't plug in the unit until it is completely submerged. If the heating unit is heated out of water, it will burn out.
1829262
It needs to be entirely submerged (except for the power chord). The instructions warn about letting the water get below the heating element which can cause damage.
554583
I believe it is thermostatically operated. The thermostat is probably in the heater unit and would be sensing the water temperature. I have in mind it shuts off when the water temperature rises above about 40 degrees, although I'm not sure. It has no way of sensing whether there is ice on the surface or not. It can only sense temperature. It works very well by the way. I use it in a bird bath. On very cold days, around 10 degrees, ice does form in an outer circle, but it keeps a circle of water on the surface above the unit ice free. The birds appreciate it, I'm sure. I don't recall the wattage but it only takes uses a few cents a day of electricity. I believe it is thermostatically operated. The thermostat is probably in the heater unit and would be sensing the water temperature. I have in mind it shuts off when the water temperature rises above about 40 degrees, although I'm not sure. It has no way of sensing whether there is ice on the surface or not. It can only sense temperature. It works very well by the way. I use it in a bird bath. On very cold days, around 10 degrees, ice does form in an outer circle, but it keeps a circle of water on the surface above the unit ice free. The birds appreciate it, I'm sure. I don't recall the... » Read More I believe it is thermostatically operated. The thermostat is probably in the heater unit and would be sensing the water temperature. I have in mind it shuts off when the water temperature rises above about 40 degrees, although I'm not sure. It has no way of sensing whether there is ice on the surface or not. It can only sense temperature. It works very well by the way. I use it in a bird bath. On very cold days, around 10 degrees, ice does form in an outer circle, but it keeps a circle of water on the surface above the unit ice free. The birds appreciate it, I'm sure. I don't recall the wattage but it only takes uses a few cents a day of electricity. « Show Less
380427
We have a concrete bird bath so ours floats. If the wind is blowing, it will blow it around, and if on the edge, you will lose all your water. We had to tie our solarrific to a concrete frog in the bird bath so it would not float around. The water has to be at least 3-4 inches deep.
1518576
Hi, honestly Ive always heard that a stone birdbath is ok outside as long as there is no water in it that may freeze, thereby possibly cracking the bowl. SI think this birdbath is too beautiful to chance it,and if it needs to be empty anyway,why risk it. We brought ours in and stored it for winter. We'll put it out in the next few days. Enjoy!
1909569
yes, I have Lovebirds it is very shallow so not recommended...my birds have never used it to bath. They drink from it throughout the day I remove it every afternoon before evening.