Behlen 54150178 - Manual (Page 4)

Hooking Up the Electric Heater
Your drinker is supplied with
a 250 watt, 120 volt AC
submersible heater. It is
designed to be plugged
into a standard 120 volt
outlet. It is
thermostatically
controlled so it only
operates when
there is a demand
for heat. It is
recommended that
you remove the
heater from the
water during warm weather; this reduces the
amount of buildup of dirt and algae on the
heater.
We recommend that an outlet be installed inside
the base of the drinker with 120 volts of AC
power that is grounded and should have a
Ground Fault Circuit Interruption (GFCI) device.
The components for the outlet and GFCI can be
purchased locally and the installation should be
done by a qualified electrician using components
and methods that meet local codes.
The heater is placed in the basin; molded
protrusions in the basin keep the heater in
position. The cord from the heater is dropped
through the opening alongside the riser pipe.
Take care that the placement of the heater and its
power cable do not interfere with the function of
the float assembly on the valve. The heater is
then plugged into the outlet inside the base. See
illustration 7 below for details.
In most cases when an Earth Tube is
used to supply ground heat to the riser
pipe and valve, the submersible heater is
all that is needed to keep everything frost
free. However, if an Earth Tube was not
used or if the weather conditions are
severe, it maybe necessary to use heat
tape or heat cables (purchased locally) to
keep the riser pipe and valve open. Refer
to the manufacturer’s recommendation
for the heat tape or cable for proper
insulation.
Do not turn on the power until after the
water connections have been made and
tested to assure that there are no leaks.
N0TE: The use of the riser pipe as the
grounding rod is not recommended. This
is due to the extensive use of plastic pipe
on the farmsteads and the unknown
grounding properties of the existing pipe
on the site.
WARNING: Compliance with the national
electric code (CSA in Canada) and local
electrical codes must be made and
maintained when installing the drinker.
Failure to comply and maintain the
drinker to code could result in loss of
livestock, severe personal injury, or even
death.
F-20653 2-24-09
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Illustration 7 - Installing External Heater