Wisconsin | Kylidge McNally - 10/12/2025 15:39
Would be hauling water to it. 450 gals to last a few days for 6 bulls. A 120v thermostat is easy to find but I have yet to find one for a 12V system
A bubbler pump is not going to do much for you, maybe a couple weeks more? 120V thermostat will work fine, you're not looking to UL this are you? (you're not)
I'd approach it the other way, though, if you want solar, put the money into some used/surplus panels and run them directly to a submerged heating element, sized for the panels, we can help with that. The battery will go dead and freeze. The panels are durable, unless the bulls smash them, and the system won't damage anything without the battery and controls. Even if you use a bubbler, hook it direct to the panel and let it run when the sun's out.
An insulated tank works nice for this, but kind of a hassle to insulate a 500 gallon tank. A chest freezer works good, even better if you could teach the bulls to open the lid and close it after themselves. Half joking, there are pasture pumps that cattle operate, maybe one of those on top of a buried tank would be easier? |
12V solar water heater/thermostat/bubbler
