Choosing the Right Dock Deicers
You’ll want to consider the following factors when you are choosing boat or dock deicers.
- Size of your Deicing Area: this will help you determine what size deicer you’ll need to get the job done.
- Horsepower: this is the primary factor in how large an area your deicer will clear.
- Voltage: Will you be connecting to a 110V or 220V power source?
- Cord Length: How far is the nearest safe power outlet from where you plan to mount your deicer?
We’ll start with a quick demonstration of the deicing patterns that can be produced with dock deicers, then step through each of these factors in a little more detail.
Deicing Patterns
Deicers 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 PowerHouse Ice Eaters have simple ways to set the angle of the deicer, whether you are using the standard shroud-line mounting, or one of the optional mounting devices. (See our article “Deicer Installation Guidelines” for more information on mounting. options)
Determine the Size of Your Deicing 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 deicer 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 deicers to provide the most effective clearance.
Remember that you will want to place your deicers where they will 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.
HorsePower
When you’re selecting dock deicers, horsepower will be the biggest factor in determining ice clearing capabilities. The larger the unit, the larger an area it will clear under any given set of circumstances. The trade off is that the larger the deicer, the more electricity it will consume.
The following table will give you a general sense of the ice clearing capabilities of each size unit.
|
De-Icer Size |
|
Typically Clears: |
1/4 HP |
1/2 HP |
3/4 HP |
1 HP |
|
Circle: |
20'-30' |
40'-50' |
60'-70' |
70'-80' |
|
Elipse: |
15' X 30' |
25' X 60' |
30' X 75' |
35' X 90' |
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.
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 and PowerHouse deicers are available in either a 110v or 220v model. You’ll want to confirm the voltage of your power source before ordering your deicer.
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. PowerHouse Ice Eaters and most Kasco Marine deicers come standard with a 25’ power cord which is sufficient for most dockside installations. Longer cords are available from both brands. While deicers can run on heavy-duty extension cords, 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 deicers 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.
