Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: D Coates on August 12, 2014, 03:31:34 PM

Title: Replacement for light bulbs as a honey box heat source?
Post by: D Coates on August 12, 2014, 03:31:34 PM
I've got a retired chest freezer with 3 light bulbs and a digital thermostat that work as my honey warmer box.  The standard 75 watt bulbs are becoming hard to come by.  Before they become impossible to get I'd like to switch to a different but reliable warmer in there.  What are others using as their heat source as a replacement for cheap light bulbs?
Title: Re: Replacement for light bulbs as a honey box heat source?
Post by: Robo on August 12, 2014, 08:40:19 PM
A little more expensive, but should last a lot longer.

www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Ceramic-Infrared-Emitter/dp/B001F9CV7K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407886760&sr=8-2&keywords=ceramic+bulb (http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Ceramic-Infrared-Emitter/dp/B001F9CV7K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407886760&sr=8-2&keywords=ceramic+bulb)
Title: Re: Replacement for light bulbs as a honey box heat source?
Post by: kingd on August 12, 2014, 09:52:17 PM
Quote from: Robo on August 12, 2014, 08:40:19 PM
A little more expensive, but should last a lot longer.

www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Ceramic-Infrared-Emitter/dp/B001F9CV7K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407886760&sr=8-2&keywords=ceramic+bulb (http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Ceramic-Infrared-Emitter/dp/B001F9CV7K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407886760&sr=8-2&keywords=ceramic+bulb)
I have used those and they last years.
Title: Re: Replacement for light bulbs as a honey box heat source?
Post by: Michael Bush on August 13, 2014, 07:46:37 AM
I just stocked up on the incandescent light bulbs... it's wonderful to live in a free country...
Title: Re: Replacement for light bulbs as a honey box heat source?
Post by: BeeMaster2 on August 13, 2014, 01:08:01 PM
I use a single 150 watt bulb with the thermostat from a hot water heater placed in the honey heater. It is connected in series with the light bulb. you can set it to any temp you want and walk away and not worry about it over heating. If you need one, keep an eye out for a water heater that is out at the street, open the 2 covers in front and cut the wires and slip them out from under the metal holder. cover the exposed wires with electrical tape. Works great. It also saves electric because once the honey is up to temperature. is mostly stays off and your honey is not over heated. Set it to 104 degrees F.
Jim
Title: Re: Replacement for light bulbs as a honey box heat source?
Post by: Better.to.Bee.than.not on August 13, 2014, 02:56:31 PM
I really do not see the issue or difficulty with producing heat. a variably resister (IE a dimer switch) electricity and a heating element from a stove, or old electric blanket, heating pad or just a wire for that matter produces heat in proportion to its resistance and power applied. you can set the dial to whatever you want, and it isn't like it is that hard to find people throwing many of these things out to get them for free.
Title: Re: Replacement for light bulbs as a honey box heat source?
Post by: BeeMaster2 on August 14, 2014, 12:56:44 PM
Quote from: Better.to.Bee.than.not on August 13, 2014, 02:56:31 PM
I really do not see the issue or difficulty with producing heat. a variably resister (IE a dimer switch) electricity and a heating element from a stove, or old electric blanket, heating pad or just a wire for that matter produces heat in proportion to its resistance and power applied. you can set the dial to whatever you want, and it isn't like it is that hard to find people throwing many of these things out to get them for free.

Not a bad idea. I like that.
If you add the hot water heater thermostat you will keep it from over heating the honey.
Jim