De icer Selection Tips
These factors are the key to selecting the best de icer for your dock
You’ll want to consider the following factors when you are choosing a dock de icer:
- Size of your De-icing Area: This will help you decide which unit you’ll need to get the job done.
- Horsepower: This is the primary factor in how large an area the unit will clear.
- Voltage: Will you be connecting to a 110V or 230V power source?
- Cord Length: How far is the nearest power outlet from where you plan to mount your de-icer?
We’ll start with a quick demonstration of the de-icing patterns that can be produced with each unit, then step through each of these factors in a little more detail.
De-icing Patterns
Dock de icers can be hung vertically to open a rough circle of water, or they can be angled to form an elliptical pattern. Both the
Kasco Marine De icers and the
Power House Ice Eaters have simple ways to set the angle of the unit, whether you are using the standard shroud-line mounting, or one of the optional mounting devices.
Determine the Size of Your De-icing Area
Determine the area you’ll need to clear. Sketch out your dock and mark in pilings and floating areas. Plan to leave roughly a 10-foot margin around your dock. Now draw out an ellipse or circle and estimate the size you need. Compare to the table under “horsepower” below and determine which unit you’ll need. If you are in the Great Lakes or other extremely cold areas, go with the larger size unit that will work for you. If your typical winter day is slightly below freezing, say in the teens or 20’s, you can probably shift towards the smaller unit. In some cases, you may need a combination of units to provide the most effective clearance.
Remember that you will want to place the unit where they it be at least a foot above the bottom to avoid picking up debris. Your unit should always be at least 1 foot below the surface, with 3-5 feet as an optimal depth in most circumstances. Be sure to account for variable water levels if your dock is impacted by tides or is on a reservoir or other body of water where the water level can change.
Determining Horsepower Needs
When you’re selecting a dock de icer, horsepower will be the biggest factor in determining ice clearing capabilities. The more powerful the unit, the larger an area it will clear under any given set of circumstances. The trade off is that the larger units will consume more electricity.
The following table will give you a general sense of the ice clearing capabilities of each size unit.
Typically Clears:
| 1/4 HP
| 1/2 HP
| 3/4 HP
| 1 HP
|
Note: These are general guidelines. There are a number of local factors that will impact the actual area of ice cleared. These factors include water depth, bottom profile, the size of the body of water, air temperature, whether it is sunny or snowing, etc.
Determining Voltage
Voltage will be determined by the power source available at the dock. The most common is 110v, but some docks are equipped with 220v. Most of the Kasco Marine and Power House units are available in either a 110v or 220v model. You’ll want to confirm the voltage of your power source before ordering your de-icer. If you will be running power to your dock or boat house, 220v typically loses less voltage over distance, and 220v units will handle being under-powered better than 110v systems. (See
Power Cord Length Limitations for more information on this)
Determining Power Cord Length
In general, you will need a power cord long enough to allow you to position your unit in the water, but be able to plug into a dry, ground-fault interrupted power source or a suitable extension cord. Make sure the connection is located where it is not in danger of being submerged in the water. Power House Ice Eaters and most Kasco Marine units come standard with a 25’ power cord which is sufficient for most dockside installations. Longer cords are available from both brands. While each unit can run on a heavy-duty extension cord, it is not recommended by either manufacturer. You are better served to buy a unit with the proper cord length for your application.
While dock de icers do a good job of preventing ice formation around a boat or dock, they cannot protect from shifting or floating ice carried by wind or current. In some areas, particularly in rivers, floating ice can act as a battering ram on your dock. In this case, you might consider protective pylons or floating booms to deflect the moving ice away from your dock.
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