Beehive Heater

Dear,

You may use a step down isolating Transformer for bulbs, say 220V /190 V, then bulbs will not burn out for years.

- Or else, you may create a heater panel with termostate,

You may use 10W * 3 heaters - 240V, connected in star, with termo state put in bee hive. you will gat constant temp. band width of about 5 to 7 degrees.

You may set thermo state at say 35 deg. , then, you will get temp. band between 35 deg. and 40 deg.

Try using a ceramic heater bulb like they use for reptile tanks. They put off heat but not light and they last a long time. You can pick one up at any good pet supply store.

When selecting any kind of heat source where humans (or animals like bees) are going to potentially be in proximity, you have to consider what's called the "watt density" in order to maintain a margin of safety to the touch. So although a resistor will put out the same amount of heat as a "heater" of similar wattage, the device designed as a heater will have a lower watt density and thus not be red hot when in normal operation. That's what you pay extra for in a space heater compared to a resistor. In general, that's another reason why people use light bulbs as heat sources, but to be honest the only way you keep the watt density low is to use multiple low wattage bulbs that are as large as possible, and that often ends up costing more than just buying a proper heater.

At pet stores, you can get heated "rocks" used for reptile cages. They aren't all that expensive, and it sounds like around the capacity that you need.

http://www.freshmarine.com/zoomed-heat-rock-stan.html

Just an example.

That's pretty much what I said in post number 5. A ceramic heat bulb for reptiles that screws into a light socket you can pick up at most pet stores cheap. They warm up nice and they would keep the hives in the range op mentioned. Heat rocks warm up a little but they really don't radiate much heat. I've used both in my tanks with my red tail boas, leopard gecko and my iguanas and the rocks alone will not warm the tanks up, they have to lay directly on them to warm up their bodies. The ceramic bulb works great though. You can even hook them up to a thermostat to keep whatever your warming up at a certain constant temperature. These bulbs also do not emit any light as mentioned in post number 5.

Thank you all , the heat rocks sound like the answer I will check into them. Bees !!!

Yes there are resistor materials prefabricated are there in market. Only issue is which part of the world you are so based on your supply voltage you can select one. If you do not find one which you like then you can make one by yourself and if you need help let me know and I will guide you

They also make heat pads for pet nesting boxes, such as rabbits. Check that out too.

You might try wiring two 30 w bulbs in series. Each would see only half the voltage and the lifetime would be greatly extended.

Why not use a PTC heater. This is a self regulating heater that increases resistance dramatically when the 40 degrees is reached. The current and thus power is restricted and the set temperature is maintained. No light, no burning, high reliability, economic to run.

Check out the web for suppliers in your area.

Elevate the hive on a pair of cinder blocks and attach a box below the bottom board to house the lamps. BTW My honeybees have survived quite well an New England winters with no heat what-so-ever. Just be sure they have plenty of sugar water in the feeder.

I found heat tape called Flex Watt I am looking into that ,for reptiles . Thanks everybody for your comments . Brian