Hive heater

[WelshPaul]

Seen this on eBay, any one had any experience?

Look at this on eBay:

12 pcs NEW electric heaters for hives Beekeeping Equipment + to 15 kg of honey

Item 320960048829

 

[drstitson]

presumably similar to those used by finman.

 

[domino]

I'd imagine bees in the UK can pretty much survive any of our winters, I wouldn't use one.

 

[user 6228]

Seen this on eBay, any one had any experience?

Look at this on eBay:

12 pcs NEW electric heaters for hives Beekeeping Equipment + to 15 kg of honey


i dont why these are used anywhere ... you can easily make a hive that the bees don't even need to cluster until the outside temp goes below -25C.

 

[oliver90owner]

A bit over eight quid delivered in the UK? A better deal than many available here, if you think you are in to that sort of thing. Might turn out to be 110volts, so check up first if you are thinking of buying.

A better bet might be this seller in Honiton: epay item 290772723528

 

[For want of a better word]

A bit over eight quid delivered in the UK? A better deal than many available here, if you think you are in to that sort of thing. Might turn out to be 110volts, so check up first if you are thinking of buying.

A better bet might be this seller in Honiton: epay item 290772723528

Fleabuy ad says 12v...... may be necessary for them imported types of bee
used to Mediterranean climates

 

[PBee]

i dont why these are used anywhere ... you can easily make a hive that the bees don't even need to cluster until the outside temp goes below -25C.

Any specifications and how do you think it would affect wintering and spring development?

 

[Nic Rhodes]

Power seems high to me for UK, if you used them (another debate there) then I suspect only a fraction of this might be needed.

 

[region2]

Loads of them:
R2

 

[drstitson]

"may be necessary for them imported types of bee
used to Mediterranean climates"

my ligustica were perfectly happy under 2m of snow earlier this year.

no need for heaters and OMFs OPEN.

 

[user 6228]

Any specifications and how do you think it would affect wintering and spring development?

see the thread DIY poly

How it will effect the bees? they should get on fine since its a lot closer (thermally) to the environment they evolved for (average tree nest dimensions T. Seeley & Morse 1975. unpublished comparative hive thermal performance data D.Mitchell) than conventional hives

 

[drstitson]

i can see why finman uses them BUT he has to get his bees built up ready for a 5 minute summer after a prolonged winter.

 

[REDWOOD]

There are lots of heaters that are built into a car that could be used, heated mirrors and seats are 2 that can be picked up from a scrap yard. the mirror heating element can be removed from the back quite easaly, I don't know the output rating and have never used one but worth a thought in conjunction with a wind or sun generator

 

[Ely]

Am I the only one flinching at how much the electricity bill would be each month?

 

[Nic Rhodes]

At 12W per heater max this is not expensive on the electricity costs even in the UK!

 

[oliver90owner]

At 12W per heater max this is not expensive on the electricity costs even in the UK!


Less than 30p a week per hive - if they were on all the time! On an external thermostat, set at 'minus a bit' Celsius would cut the consumption by a large margin for most times in the UK winter. Internal stats would increase the initial equipment cost considerably for non-DIYers, I would think.

Considered trying it but never have. Pikeys would likely pinch the battery if in a remote situation!

 

[Nic Rhodes]

reality would be pennies a week depending on when / if it was needed at all. 12w is on the cook scale rather than the warm one!

 

[justme]

I've seen that ad, been on there a long time. Seller has a thermostat controller which he promotes to use with them, about £29. I kind of thought that as its damp not cold that kills them why bother? Surely added heat would mean unnecessary brooding throughout the winter and more stores required? (Not talking about use in really cold places).
Please correct me if wrong.

 

[Finman]

320960048829

70 US dollars. What it is used for? Warming honey?
Not at least hives.

Hive heater is 15 $

 

[drstitson]

finman - the listing seems to be for 12 heaters.