On 24 Jan 2005 16:34:21 -0800, "richard"
wrote:
not so much a cruising question but does anyone have any experience
with those fans that mix up the water called De-icers. Last summer all
the pilings around my dock got stuck in the ice and came up with tide.
This year the river is already freezing and I just bought a De-icer
from West Marine with the idea that I could return it if I decide it is
not for me. One of the problems that I have is that I do not live in
the same state as the dock and can not keep an eye on it. I rent out
this property.
I have already suspended the dock itself out of the water but do not
want the pilings to come out again this year. Any suggestion/comments?
thanks

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The de-icer you describe works by bringing warmer water up from the
bottom. It will work OK as long as the water is deep enough to have a
decent temperature gradient; you have enough units to cover the area
in question; and you have a reliable source of power.