Stock Tank De-icer

[steff bugielski]

Can any of you answer a few questions on this? I have a rubber stock tank. Purchased one of those sinking tank de-icers with the cage for the rubber tank. In the instructions it says to run the power cord thru a galvunized pipe. Can you tell me why? Is it because they do not want it exposed to the elements, animals chewing or what?
My tank is right up against the fence, right next to the barn. I was going to put the cord thru the fence and into the barn window. The outlet is right there.
Temps will once again be below 0 here tomorrow and I really hate hauling buckets of hot water just to thaw out the water tank.
thanks
steff

[circlevranch]

Its because they don't want the animals chewing on the exposed electrical cord. They're also considering the safety of the animal too.

[nehimama]

Probably to prevent chewing on the cord? That's my best guess.

NeHi

[goatkid]

I'm sure it is to prevent chewing on the cord. I use the heaters without running the cords through a pipe. I set it up so the goats can't pull the cord, where it is connected to an extension cord into the water. The water containers are right next to the fence and I leave as little cord as possible in the pen area. I have not had any problems thus far and I've been doing it for 7 years.