Stock Tank Heaters During Winter Months

[@adamphillips1001]

Thank you so much!!! You've helped me tremendously!!

[@NoBite2]

Quick question regarding grounding a drain plug heater. I now have a grounding rod near my tank. Would you recommend a solid copper wire for grounding purposes?

[@ShermanT.Potter]

Grounding "should" be done with the same metals throughout the grounding system to lessen corrosion. For my underground water line fed waterers, I drive an 8 ft. copper clad ground rod into the ground below the tile riser, and use a bronze/whatever it is ground clamp on it, attaching a 4 gauge copper wire, and then grounding to the grounding screw of the waterer. Or if the ground attachment point is stripped, bend it around the metal float chamber and keep it submerged. Animals will feel less than 1 volt, sometimes you have an excellent installation and you still get a tiny voltage that needs to be grounded. I never have a problem with voltage on the waterers anymore. I used to have issues with "stray voltage" even with 5 gallon plastic buckets with a built in heater at the base, it never even contacted the water and there was a voltage. In a pinch, I ran a piece of galvanized electric fence wire from inside the bucket into the manure pack (it was on concrete so that was my only ground), and that took care of the problem. Just make sure the wire ALWAYS has contact with the water, or a metal surface if the waterer is metal. Use a voltmeter checking from the water to a grounded surface away from the waterer to confirm you have almost no /almost no voltage. I think below .5 volts you would be okay, but be sure to watch the livestock when they drink.

[@SenoraGuetzko]

Thanks for making this video. Very informational.

[@laurenbritton]

Thank you! I was going to go with the bigger one. Now I won't :-)

[@laurenbritton]

Annnnnd, I will make sure to ground it.

[@DoubleKMustangs]

thank you

[@carolsydney6905]

Someone posted this on a FB horse group. Good info, thanks. I'm from the Flathead but moved to the Swan when Kal got too big and busy. Have three horses here and loving life. You mentioned a temp of 15 below. Sounds like a nice warm day in January. LOL Have a great time out there in Kila.