So I have these buckets: http://www.doversaddlery.com/20-quart-heated-flatback-bucket/p/X1-2806/?eid=X18A00U1000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=MerchantAdv&zmam=1460880&zmas=1&zmac=114&zmap=0002806206000X1-2806&mkwid=ffd0Lvug&pcrid=68930205007&pdv=c&gclid=CJ23yovI_8ICFeXm7AodlGEAVA. Our horses are stabled only at night during the winter, so 12 hours a day. I thought that perhaps putting the buckets on a timer would not only save electricity, but also prevent possible overheating of them (though they do have a thermostat) and perhaps make them last longer not being used as much. Thoughts???
My barn has them. We just unplug them during the day when horses are out. The barn is generally warm enough that the buckets only get a little bit of ice during the day. This week might be different though!
I looked into this idea at one point for a stock tank heater, which is a different animal (I learned). There’s something about the size of the timer needing to correspond to the size of the electrical thing you’re plugging into it. I learned there are timers for things like mega Christmas lights, and hot tubs, and other things that draw a lot, so you can theoretically put your stock tank on a plug in timer if you think the amount you save will be greater than the cost of the timer itself! Heated buckets draw a LOT less than a stock tank heater, obviously, so you might not need the mega timer but probably would need something better than the little guys you use at home. Unplugging the buckets in the morning and plugging them back in at night might be just as easy in the long run…
You will not be saving any real money. The thermostat in these buckets only turn the heaters on when temps reach freezing. They are very safe and last for years. The real safety concern is the barn wiring and correct installation of buckets and cords. Don’t make extra work if there is nothing to gain.
Thanks all for the input. We tested the buckets well above freezing and they all heated up very quickly. So that bothers my I guess. When would they have kicked off? Perhaps it takes time for the thermostat to kick in and shut the heater off? I’ll check the buckets the next time it is well above freezing to ensure they are indeed not heating up. I’m just not sure how much trust I have in them. Unfortunately the location we have the plug is difficult to get to so I am trying to avoid unplugging each one daily. I have found heavy duty, grounded, outdoor use timers at $13.00 each which I consider reasonable. Maybe unwarranted however?
A block heater timer would probably be sufficient with the bonus that they are not that expensive and they are meant to sit out in arctic temps while doing their job.
I used to empty my stall buckets and unplug them during the day while my horses were out then refill and plug back in when I brought them in for the night - we have found that all it did was make more work for me, did not seem to save any real noticeable amount of money. (Note this might be different in a climate where the day temps are very different than the night temps.)
I do cover the buckets during the day when there are no horses in the barn. We cut out Styrofoam insulation board into a shape that fits nicely on top of each bucket. It makes me feel like I am saving some electricity.
If the outlets are all on one circuit breaker, you could just flip the breaker during the day time and then flip it back on in the evenings.
I don’t have heated buckets inside but I do have a heated tank outside on its own circuit so I just flip the circuit off when needed.
A word about timers tho—I once had timers on lights in the house and discovered they weren’t working and never went on at all. I wouldn’t want to take that chance on it happening and having frozen buckets.
OP I admit, I didn’t click your link on your ‘particular’ heated buckets. But…I will tell you, I bought 3 heated buckets. I thought it ‘important’ to test, and know if they ‘worked’. So, when I plugged them in, initially? they ‘worked’ as in : I could feel them warm slightly on the sides mid way. Ok…so, then, I’d plug that one in, and later? I found the sides cold. Ok…I went for the second one. Same : repeat. Yup. at first? the warming. later: didn’t feel it. What I realized? or at least came to believe…is these ‘warm’ at initial, and find the temp via thermostat, and then ‘set’. So, if you add one later? that second one will ‘initially’ heat, while the first feels ‘like its not working’ (but if you check it 4 hrs. later in freezing temps, you’ll find its working fine!) Its difficult to explain, but point was: you do NOT need a timer. they have an ‘internal’ one…
I wouldn’t bother with the timer… more of a pain in the butt dealing with frozen solid buckets come nightfall, unless you want to empty them all out and then it’s just as much bother to unplug.
I have those buckets. The part in the description that says it helps encourage horses to drink in cold weather is true, at least at my farm. One mare in particular is prone to mild colic symptoms related to low water intake.
The buckets cycle on and off. They really do keep the water at a nice temperature. It isn’t just about preventing ice in the buckets. If you turn them off and on you would lose that benefit unless you filled your buckets with warm water.
I’ve used them for at least 15 years, they’re very safe. You’re not going to save anything significant from using a timer. After the initial heat-up the thermostat will keep them on only when necessary. Do save your receipts if you still have them, I had a run of three that only worked for one year and could have exchanged them had I kept the receipt. I ended up just cutting the cord off and using for a feed bucket.
we have our stock tank heaters on timers, but for buckets in the barn, I doubt there would be enough of a electrical draw in most instances to warrant a timer. but hey, that’s your call. 
I read something recently that horses drink better when the water is closer to room temp vs just barely over freezing. That alone would leave me not bothered that they’re still on when temps are up…
Thanks all for the info, figured I was over-thinking it. When I checked them yesterday, they weren’t warm to the touch but water was not frozen. So I think I worried too soon. The horses certainly seem to be enjoying them, and we love not having to deal with ice in the buckets.
[QUOTE=equislover;7942766]
…Unfortunately the location we have the plug is difficult to get to so I am trying to avoid unplugging each one daily. I have found heavy duty, grounded, outdoor use timers at $13.00 each which I consider reasonable. Maybe unwarranted however?[/QUOTE]
If you loose electricity - won’t that screw up the timer? Something to verify.
