Deicer and Ice Eater Resources

A De-icer - What Is It & Why Do I Need One?

Without a De-icer	With a De-icer
Hull damage, ice jacking and dock lifting damage occurs	Docks, pilings and boats remain free of ice

"De-icers" and "ice eaters" do not actually remove or "eat" ice but rather prevent it from developing in the first place. An electric motor and propeller draws deeper, warmer water up to the surface and circulates it to prevent ice formation. It is a simple concept that is extremely effective - and important.

Without a de-icer, your dock, boat, slip or marina remain vulnerable to severe damage from winter weather - damage that can be very costly to fix. Basically, you should think of a de-icer as a good insurance policy. No matter what long-term forecasts show, weather can change rapidly and you should have a de-icer ready to go as soon as the mercury dips and ice begins to form. "An ounce of prevention..."

NOTE:
While 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 may consider protective pylons or floating booms to deflect the moving ice away from your dock (Savvyboater.com does not carry these products).

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Selecting a De-icer - How Do I Get The Right One?

Simply follow this step-by-step guide to select the right de-icer for your needs:

1. What is the size and shape of the area you need to clear?
   De-icers can be mounted to clear various diameters and either a round or oval shaped area.
   
   
2. Do you have a 115V or 230V outlet?
   Most de-icers are available in either voltage. You can expect both models to use about the same amount of electricity if operated similarly. This is because the 230V unit will pull more power at a time but it will need to operate for less time than the 115V unit.
   
   
3. How far is your de-icing area from the nearest outlet?
   It is important that you order a de-icer with a power cord long enough to reach from your outlet directly to the de-icer, without the
   use of an extension cord. Voltage is lost as electricity travels through a cord and any connection (e.g. an extension cord) provides
   even greater opportunity for loss of voltage, thereby reducing the amount of power your de-icer will ultimately be able to generate.
   
   
4. Start shopping...by horsepower
   With the information above, you can now find your de-icer. Horsepower (HP) will be the #1 factor in your choice as it determines
   the size of an area that a particular de-icer can clear.
   
   

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Mounting My De-icer - How?

Kasco and Power House each have their own recommended mounting options for optimal results.

Kasco De-Icer Mounting Options

Rope Suspension	Dock Mount	Float Mount
Standard mounting Each unit ships with two suspension ropes to be spread at least 8' to 10' apart	Optional mounting Mounts de-icer to dock or pilings; can be extended to a maximum of 10' from the mounting bracket	Optional mounting Allows de-icer to be used in shallow waters or where water level fluctuates; de-icer floats and moves with water

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Power House Ice Eater Mounting Options

Rope Suspension	Dock Mount	Shallow Water Stand
Standard mounting Each unit ships with two suspension ropes to be spread at least 8' to 10' apart	Optional mounting Mounts de-icer to dock or pilings; can be extended to a maximum of 10' from the mounting bracket	Optional mounting Allows ice eater to be used in shallow waters and can be positioned horizontally or at an angle

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• To clear ice in a circular pattern, mount your de-icer vertically


• To clear ice in an elliptical pattern, mount your de-icer at an angle


• Mount your de-icer 3 to 5 feet below the water surface and at least 1 foot above the floor of the water; if too close to the floor, debris can be pulled in to the unit, damaging the motor and/or propeller


• Keep de-icer submerged during use at all times; if operated in open air, it will quickly overheat and destroy the motor


• For areas with varying water levels, mount de-icer to adjust with the water level, maintaining proper depth below the surface (3' to 5') and height above the bottom (1' minimum)


• For shallow water, make sure the de-icer is not in a water zone that will freeze solid; if ice reaches the bottom, it will choke off the water supply to the de-icer, causing serious damage to the motor


• Always use Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) power source and check the GFI on a regular basis (a GFI is an outlet that senses current flow problems and automatically shuts off in those instances to maintain safe conditions)

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Accessories - What & Why?

The right accessories can help you maximize your de-icer performance and get the most out of your investment.

Accessory	Details
Timers & Thermostats	Running a de-icer at select times through the day vs. continuously (even when temperatures remain below freezing) provides appropriate ice clearance in most cases. Timers and thermostats allow you to set on/off patterns for your de-icer to prevent it from running 24x7. Reducing run time saves energy and electric costs and extends the life of your de-icer by limiting the overall load on the motor. Timers set on/off times and thermostats set on/off temperatures. Kasco also offers a timer/thermometer combination which turns the unit "on" when both the designated "on" time and temperature are reached.
Zinc	Zinc protects the metal components of your de-icer by reducing corrosion that results from electrolysis. This is especially pertinent in salt water but also happens in fresh water. It is recommended that zinc be inspected at least monthly in salt water and every two to three months in fresh water. When 50% of the existing zinc anode has eroded and/or you notice heavy white corrosion, it is time to replace the zinc.
Propellers	A worn or damaged propeller cannot work efficiently and results in undue stress on the motor and reduced de-icing performance. Damaged propellers should be replaced in order to maintain de-icer performance.

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Maintenance - What & Why?

As with any important equipment, it is necessary to inspect and maintain your de-icer properly. Here are a few simple things you can do
to ensure your de-icer performs its best.

• Regularly inspect the propeller for damage and replace as necessary


• Regularly inspect the zinc anode for erosion and/or corrosion and replace as necessary


• Clean the system with a power washer at least once per season to reduce calcium and algae buildup


• Have your unit serviced by the manufacturer or an authorized repair service every three years


• In the case of decreased performance, disconnect the de-icer from the power source, remove any clogs or debris from the motor
  and inspect the propeller for damage

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Product Brochures

For more information on Kasco De-icers and Power House Ice Eaters, browse these owners manuals and brochures:

• Kasco Marine De-icer Owner's Manual


• Kasco Marine De-icer Brochure


• Power House Ice Eater Owner's Manual


• Power House Ice Eater Brochure

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