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jimbob1603 · 02-01-2005, 06:02 PM

Hi,

Well, if I recall correctly, 1 horsepower equals about 476 watts. Thats a lot of power, month after month. Not to mention the cost of the circulator. I decided aginst this method because of the monthly electric costs.

Don't bother with a $65 'piece of plastic' sump pump from Home Depot. Those things were not constructed for continuous duty. The only good thing here is that you'll be iced in before the warranty runs out; but Home Depot will only play that game for so long.

Another alternative is the dock bubbler; but it has steep up-front costs. It consists of a linear air compressor ($890) and various lengths of vinyl tubing and PVC pipe (cheap$). It is controlled by a thermostat (on at 32, off at 45). Although expensive up front, it only consumes about 125 watts. The compressor is specifically designed to provide high volume, low pressure air 24x7x52; and is user servicable.

In conclusion, done properly, any method is going to be expensive and/or a pain in the butt. 'If you wanna play, you gotta pay!'. Any method has its pros & cons ...... I use a dock bubbler; and would do it again if the need ever arose.
Jim

02-01-2005, 06:02 PM	#2
jimbob1603 Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Expensive Ice Hi, Well, if I recall correctly, 1 horsepower equals about 476 watts. Thats a lot of power, month after month. Not to mention the cost of the circulator. I decided aginst this method because of the monthly electric costs. Don't bother with a $65 'piece of plastic' sump pump from Home Depot. Those things were not constructed for continuous duty. The only good thing here is that you'll be iced in before the warranty runs out; but Home Depot will only play that game for so long. Another alternative is the dock bubbler; but it has steep up-front costs. It consists of a linear air compressor ($890) and various lengths of vinyl tubing and PVC pipe (cheap$). It is controlled by a thermostat (on at 32, off at 45). Although expensive up front, it only consumes about 125 watts. The compressor is specifically designed to provide high volume, low pressure air 24x7x52; and is user servicable. In conclusion, done properly, any method is going to be expensive and/or a pain in the butt. 'If you wanna play, you gotta pay!'. Any method has its pros & cons ...... I use a dock bubbler; and would do it again if the need ever arose. Jim Last edited by jimbob1603; 02-01-2005 at 06:10 PM.