Posted on 12/23/2022 10:19:59 PM PST by Paul R.
Yes, but, then the groundwater energy (plus a bit of heat from the pump) cools in the tank overnight and between pump runs. Apparently the resistance element fell behind — I do not recall a combination of wind and low temperatures like this since 2004, and, then we had a very heavy snow blanket to help insulate things. (Plus the heat tape, which is on about an 11’ run of pipe snaking around B4 it enters the house, failed this time.)
The resistance heating element under the tank, to be specific.
You are correct, this is the primary cause. I didn't think CO2 depressed the freezing point much, but it turns out club soda has a freezing point of -10C.
In one coop, I have a heater I built myself, using the steel housing from a gutted 4’ fluorescent light as a reflector, to which is mounted a small industrial quartz heater “block” (element). (The “block” is about .8” tall x 2.3” wide x 12” long with nice 1/4” threaded studs in the back.) The lead out wires are ceramic “beads” insulated. The element is rated at 230 or 240 volts usage: Run at 120v it barely glows, but still puts out a little over 300 watts, IIRC. I can switch in a series 15A diode (way overkill) to drop it to around 125 watts (measured current x rms voltage.) Even at 300+ watts it should last, well, a lot longer than I will! The weak point is probably the thermostat mounted on the side of the coop, but it should last a good while (rated for 1500 watts, is switching 300+ watts.) If I want to improve THAT, the thermostat can control a mercury wetted relay.
I “could” make up a variant of this for the wellhouse, as I have several elements left, and plenty of old / dead ballast fluorescent fixtures to cannibalize.
That’s fairly impressive!
I’ve even seen that effect using municipal water in ice cube trays. ;-)
This happened last evening to a bottle of wine my daughter brought over. She left it in the car for an hour and the cork popped!
The wine was like a slushy! But none of it spilled.
It was a very nice German Reissling.
Thanks to all the physicists and other scientists for all the explanations.
I thought alcohol couldn’t freeze.
But, then, I flunked High School Physics. 🙀
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