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Bucket Heater ---Cheap --( Built By You) ---EVEN A CAVEMAN CAN DO IT

Discussion in 'Skulls and Skeletons' started by Bugz 2 Bonz, Feb 24, 2009.

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  1. Feb 24, 2009 #1
    Bugz 2 Bonz

    Bugz 2 Bonz Skull Cleaning / Central Ohio

    789
    3
    Columbus Ohio
    I've been reading alot of posts about bucket heater this and bucket heater that. Here is my set-up on a test bucket. excuse the tie wraps and Litter Bucket. This set-up will cost you less than $50 , and about 30 minutes of your time. Cut about 1ft off female end of extension cord , wire both black wires to thermostat , crimp whites together then crimp greens together. Then fasten thermostat to side of bucket or container ( epoxy, tie wraps or other) below water level . This is very important , the thermostat will not shut-off if it is above the water level. Place bucket heater in container then plug into GfCI outlet. You will have to play with thermostat to get your desired temp since location and bucket materials can effect true inside temp.
    Bucket Heater from Tractor Supply (stainless steel ) No rust after 6 months in water . $30
    110v Lower Thermostat for hot water heater $ 8.57 Home Depot
    15' extension cord 14gauge $ 7.97 '' ''

    You can also use a Heating element used in hot water heaters. about $ 10.00 .
     
  3. Feb 24, 2009 #2
    Colonel

    Colonel Missouri River Rat

    2,306
    1
    Glasgow, Missouri
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    Finally...


    I like that setup and I already have the cord and the thermostat. That heater looks a lot better with the shield over it. I wouldn't be afraid to use that.
     

  5. Feb 24, 2009 #3
    Bugz 2 Bonz

    Bugz 2 Bonz Skull Cleaning / Central Ohio

    789
    3
    Columbus Ohio
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    This one is over 6 months old (no rust and no burnt skulls)
     
  6. Feb 24, 2009 #4
    MR.Ed

    MR.Ed New Member

    486
    1
    Waterloo,NY
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    See that is what I was talking about before. To even have that shield on it to protect the skulls is a big plus. I like the looks of that set up the best.
     
  7. Feb 24, 2009 #5
    Diamond S

    Diamond S New Member

    128
    0
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    How hot will it get ??

    What is the max gallons of water it will heat ??

    The thermostat works from outside the bucket, correct ??

    Thanks, in advance...
     
  8. Feb 24, 2009 #6
    MR.Ed

    MR.Ed New Member

    486
    1
    Waterloo,NY
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    Also do you still use a bubbler with this setup?
     
  9. Feb 24, 2009 #7
    Bugz 2 Bonz

    Bugz 2 Bonz Skull Cleaning / Central Ohio

    789
    3
    Columbus Ohio
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    I have heated a 50 gallon drum take about 2 hrs to get up to 125 from 55 . If your looking for something hotter you can go with a 240v thermostat and 3500w heating element for hot water tanks. Like the one I use for Horn removal. It takes about 1 hr to go from 70 to 195 degrees . The element was $12 and the 240 thermostat was $15 Here are the pics of my horn removal tank. No bubbles in my set-up.
     
  10. Feb 24, 2009 #8
    RDMARTIN53

    RDMARTIN53 Active Member

    3,399
    14
    NW MONTANA
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    Bones, Nice set-up.
    On the yellow bucket the exposed contacts....no pets or small children around right?? Guess you could fabricate a cover. My luck I would bump against it with a wet jeans or something. Needs a cover and a better way to secure it TO the bucket. Electrical Inspector would bust you on that one ;D
     
  11. Feb 24, 2009 #9
    Colonel

    Colonel Missouri River Rat

    2,306
    1
    Glasgow, Missouri
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    A good coating of silicone would work fine.
     
    fadetoblack72 likes this.
  12. Feb 24, 2009 #10
    RDMARTIN53

    RDMARTIN53 Active Member

    3,399
    14
    NW MONTANA
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    the heat resistant type..right?? ;D
     
    fadetoblack72 likes this.
  13. Feb 24, 2009 #11
    Colonel

    Colonel Missouri River Rat

    2,306
    1
    Glasgow, Missouri
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    I would suggest Ultra Copper Silicone gasket material. It is rated for use as a gasket on exhaust headers.

    http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_makers/auto_Permatex_Ultra_Copper_Maximum_Temperature_RTV_Silicone_Gasket_Maker.htm

    Holds up on my 68 327sbc anyways... :p
     
  14. Feb 24, 2009 #12
    Bugz 2 Bonz

    Bugz 2 Bonz Skull Cleaning / Central Ohio

    789
    3
    Columbus Ohio
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    this was a test set-up. I have a 4 x 4 extension ring and cover on my degreasing tank set-up. You can pick one up at home depot in the electrical isle. It has knockouts for your wires to to be fastened with c-500 connectors. You can remove cover to access thermostat dial.
     
  15. Feb 24, 2009 #13
    Colonel

    Colonel Missouri River Rat

    2,306
    1
    Glasgow, Missouri
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)


    Or you can just do that... lol
     
  16. Feb 24, 2009 #14
    Eric R.

    Eric R. New Member

    92
    0
    S.W. Michigan
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    I like your idea, simple and effective! RD, you'll only bump up against the live contacts once! ;D
     
  17. Feb 24, 2009 #15
    Sea Wolf

    Sea Wolf Well-Known Member

    13,747
    1,889
    Taxachusetts
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    Bugz .. can you show a closeup of your thermostat wired? Would be a better visual reference so I don't fry something when I give this a shot. :) With my luck, my cord will have white, brown, black and blue wires. :)
     
  18. Feb 24, 2009 #16
    RDMARTIN53

    RDMARTIN53 Active Member

    3,399
    14
    NW MONTANA
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    Yea...I usually say something really loud and offensive......then laugh at myself for being so stupid. ;D
     
  19. Feb 24, 2009 #17
    Bugz 2 Bonz

    Bugz 2 Bonz Skull Cleaning / Central Ohio

    789
    3
    Columbus Ohio
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    Here ya go. ZAAAAAAAAP :eek: Its so easy a caveman can do it.
     
  20. Feb 24, 2009 #18
    Uncle Harley

    Uncle Harley New Member

    8,691
    2
    Illinois
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    White should always be nutral. Green or bare will always be your ground. Black, brown, red, purple doesn't matter the colored wire is the hot one and is the one you want on the thermostat. the other are merely getting re-connected because they were cut If you were carefull you could cut the black only for the thermostat.
     
  21. Feb 24, 2009 #19
    Bugz 2 Bonz

    Bugz 2 Bonz Skull Cleaning / Central Ohio

    789
    3
    Columbus Ohio
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    Yea I thought of not cutting the neutral and ground , but the plug wouldn't fit through the connector in the extension ring. It was like putting a square peg in a round hole. LOL
     
  22. Feb 24, 2009 #20
    Matt_S

    Matt_S New Member

    382
    0
    Illinois
    Re: Bucket Heater Cheap ( Built By You)

    This is great. I knew this could be done easily some how. Thanks and ton.
     
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