My dad uses drop-in tank heaters for his critters in the winter. Right now he's got a variety he's picked up here and there. But they all seem to have problems eventually. Oftentimes when one quits, I can dry it out inside, test it and it'll work again. Sometimes we put it back in service and it'll work for days or weeks or months, you never know. They just seem to quit intermittently after awhile. It's annoying not being able to count on them.

I know there's plenty of folks on here who use them. Have you found any brands to be better than others? Any tips for keeping them working longer?

I use a 500W unit by Farm Innovators in the auto-waterer for my horses and have exactly the same problem. After some number of thermal cycles the insulation cracks, water gets in and it shorts and trips the GFCI. About 2 years of service is typical. The GFCI receptacle has a LED nightlight in the other socket so I can check it from the house. A spare sits on a shelf in the barn because it's just a matter of time.

I've had the same issues with them , dried them out and had them work again.

I get about 2 to 3 years out of the 1500 watt sinking type.
I got some 1000 watt ones from a lady on marketplace FB but they aren't all that just a little to weak for our winters.

Good for spring and fall to lower the electric bill some

TTT for more recommendations

I have used them all from tractor supply. The last one I got was aluminum Sinking tank Deicer H-419 it’s was $50 bucks but has been working the last 3 months nonstop! I got the 2 year replacement plan so if it burn out I get a new one no questions asked. Before I got this one I using the $30 ones and they wouldn’t last. I’m heating a 50 gallon tanks and that H-419 has been good. It has a turn off so if it does not need to be on it will turn it’s self off. I have seen my power bill go down a few bucks too.

Good info Deerkills

Thanks guys

Use a 250 watt most all winter and throw in a second when its real cold . Works good here .just went through a cold snap and it was a little much but we managed

I never could justify the electricity cost of heating water (power is fairly expensive here). I'm looking out the window watching cows lick snow right now. Plenty of soft snow here throughout the winter. Not sure I'd recommend it for lactating animals, and I don't know about horses. I know that's not an option for everyone, but our cattle do fine and we haven't heated water for 8 years. Other farmers think we're crazy, but I've gotten used to that. We don't have a barn either :-)

I've had decent luck building a box around the tanks with 6 inches of insulation. You get a thin layer of ice but critters bust thru it easy. Then when the really cold part of winter hits I throw in a 1500 watt tank heater and it doesnt seem to work as hard keeping water open. .

Good information.

Ive had good luck with the drain plug atyle in our rubbermaid tanks . Keeps the critters from messing with them