Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to connect more than one ThermoBar to the same transformer?

The short answer is no.

ThermoBar’s transformers are dimensioned to support one ThermoBar of a certain size and with a certain capacity, with power. If more than one trough is connected, the transformer may not be able to cope. There is a sizable risk that the transformer will overheat and its built-in safety fuse will blow. The transformer will then need to be replaced.

 

If you have this need, for example in stables with many water troughs, an electrician can help you install a stronger transformer that you can connect more than one ThermoBar to.

Which troughs can I connect a float valve to?
You can connect a Rojo float valve to the three largest troughs – ThermoBar 80 DP, ThermoBar 130 and ThermoBar 250. You can also connect a float valve to ThermoBar 65 ECO. For this trough, you connect the float valve yourself, following step-by-step instructions supplied by ThermoBar.
How much does the power cost to heat a Thermobar?
For approximately 24 hours of electricity use, according to Jämtkraft 2019:
A 60-watt ThermoBar costs approx. SEK 1.43/24 hr.
A 75-watt ThermoBar costs approx. SEK 1.56/24 hr.
A 90-watt ThermoBar costs approx. SEK 2.16/24 hr.
A 150-watt ThermoBar costs approx. SEK 3.60/24 hr.
A 220-watt ThermoBar costs approx. SEK 5.30/24 hr.
Is it possible to repair a ThermoBar after the three-year guarantee has expired?
Yes, as long as there isn’t damage to the plastic on the inside of the trough. ThermoBar 65 ECO can be easily repaired at home right from day one, it is so simple it is easier than sending the trough to us. All reserve parts are available in our webshop.
How are ThermoBar troughs different from the others on the market?

All ThermoBar troughs have a three-year guarantee, they are made from food-grade plastic and have documentation from our suppliers guaranteeing that no chemicals can leech into the water.
ThermoBar’s troughs are CE certified and made in Sweden.
They are equipped with a thermostat, which means lower energy consumption. The water is kept at the correct temperature – neither too cold nor too warm for the animal’s stomach.
The foil heater is situated in the base of the trough where it has the best effect, rather than in the walls.
The light diode lets you know that the electrical current is reaching the trough.
ThermoBar 65 ECO can easily be repaired at home and all reserve parts are available in the webshop.
You can connect a Rojo float valve to the three largest troughs – ThermoBar 80 DP, ThermoBar 130 and ThermoBar 250. You can also connect a float valve to ThermoBar 65 ECO. For this trough, you connect the float valve yourself, following step-by-step instructions supplied by ThermoBar.
ThermoBar has a large number of models to choose between – suitable for inside box stalls, outside enclosures, and come both with and without automatic refilling systems.
ThermoBar’s concept has been tried and tested for 13 years now and is sold throughout Europe.
ThermoBar works closely together with leading Swedish and international veterinarians, who research the areas of horses and their water consumption.

What do I do if my horse kicks the ThermoBar?

The trough is made from polyethylene, a strong plastic that works well in cold temperatures, but it will last longer if it’s treated kindly by your horses. If your horse is known to kick its water bucket, build a protective fence in front of the trough.

Will the trough’s plastic release any chemicals?

No. Polyethylene, which is the plastic that ThermoBars are made from, is a food-grade plastic and one of the most commonly used plastics to package and serve food and drinks.

How cold can it get before the water in my ThermoBar will freeze?

Our test pilot Mats Berg has tested all our ThermoBars in Nikkaluokta, one of the coldest places in Sweden. Mats tested ThermoBar 80 (90 watt) and ThermoBar 250 (220 watt) and reported temperatures down to -43°C without any ice forming on the surface of the water. ThermoBar 30 (50 watt), ThermoBar 40 (60 watt) and ThermoBar 130 (220 watt) can all handle the same temperatures.
ThermoBar 65 ECO (75 watt) will remain ice-free down to approx. -30°C, while ThermoBar 130 (150 watt) and ThermoBar 250 (150 watt) will remain ice-free down to approx. -25°C.

What happens if the water in a ThermoBar freezes?
If, for example, the power is off for a longer period of time and a thick layer of ice forms, it can take some time for it to melt again once power is reconnected. The best thing to do is to lift out the ice and refill the trough. The plastic is strong and won’t crack or be otherwise affected if ice forms.
Can the water get so warm that the horses will burn themselves?

No. The foil heater in the ThermoBar can only heat the water to a certain temperature. In all ThermoBars, a thermostat will turn the heating device off when the water reaches a temperature of 15-20°C.

How long can the 230-volt cable be?

You can use an extension cord of several hundred metres from a regular power socket. The current in the cable is under 1 amp, so the voltage drop is very small. The most important thing is to make sure that the connections between the cords are water proofed.

Can I use an extension cord for the 24-volt cable?

Don’t use an extension cord together with the cable, but you can replace the cable with a longer one. You need to remove the shorter 24-volt cable and mount a new, longer cable between the trough and the transformer. If you do this, it is important that you check the voltage drop. Read more about this in the product information in our webshop for each ThermoBar to see how long the low-voltage cables can be for each model.

Isn’t it just as good for horses to eat snow as it is for them to drink water?
No, snow cannot replace a horse’s drinking water. A horse will have to eat an enormous amount of snow to get just one litre of water from it. Many horses like to eat a little snow, however, even when they have access to water.
What is the best temperature for a horse’s drinking water?
An American study found that ponies drink more water during the winter if they are offered warm water than if they only have access to cold water. Another aspect is that horses get cold if they drink large amounts of cold water, which means they use more energy (and need more feed) to stay warm.
What happens if the trough is left on without water in it?
The thermostat that regulates the heating system is located in the middle of the bottom of the trough. If it is cold and the trough is empty, the thermostat will switch the heating system on because of the cold air temperature and heat up the trough unnecessarily. As long as the trough is empty there is nothing to worry about, but it is important that nothing but water is ever put in a ThermoBar. NEVER put hay, plastic or any other material in the trough. NEVER use the trough to heat up feed!
Battery-powered – is this an option?
We have tested battery-powered ThermoBars but the answer is that it is too difficult and expensive. For example, a small ThermoBar 40 (60 watt) needs two sets of series connected, rechargeable batteries. One set recharges while the other powers the ThermoBar, and batteries need to be rotated every day. The batteries need to be of excellent quality so they function in cold temperatures and can be recharged many times. The price for the charger, batteries and transport is approx. SEK 12,000, and each set of batteries weights about 60 kilograms.

In situations where electricity isn’t available, we recommend using a ThermoBar 80 ISO. This is one of our troughs without a heating system, but it is so well insulated that it will stay ice free for twice as long as a regular trough. ThermoBar 250 ISO has the same insulation but a larger volume.