Hive Heaters
Hive heater 3.0 for 2020 !!!!
Hive heater 3.0 for 2020 !!!!
I have abandoned the idea of adding heat to the hive for the time being in lieu of increasing the insulation value (R10 or greater) of the hive body to match that of a natural tree cavity. This concept was presented in a live presentation to Cornell University on 6/28/2021. Click here to view this presentation.
I have abandoned the idea of adding heat to the hive for the time being in lieu of increasing the insulation value (R10 or greater) of the hive body to match that of a natural tree cavity. This concept was presented in a live presentation to Cornell University on 6/28/2021. Click here to view this presentation.
Hive heater 2.0 for 2019 !!!!
Hive heater 2.0 for 2019 !!!!
I think a better approach is to move the heater to the top box above the inner cover. My reasoning is that the bees need to make micro-climates within the hive keeping the brood warm and moist while not allowing too much moisture to collect around honey. Placing the heater at the bottom of the hive may disrupt the hive's ability to maintain the micro climates. In addition, by allowing the water to condense on the side walls, we maintain liquid water in the hive for the bees to drink. Placing the heater on-top prohibits water condensing on the lid and dripping down on the bees. I will be testing this theory out this coming winter.
I think a better approach is to move the heater to the top box above the inner cover. My reasoning is that the bees need to make micro-climates within the hive keeping the brood warm and moist while not allowing too much moisture to collect around honey. Placing the heater at the bottom of the hive may disrupt the hive's ability to maintain the micro climates. In addition, by allowing the water to condense on the side walls, we maintain liquid water in the hive for the bees to drink. Placing the heater on-top prohibits water condensing on the lid and dripping down on the bees. I will be testing this theory out this coming winter.
Hive heater 1.0 for 2018 !!!!
Hive heater 1.0 for 2018 !!!!
We are testing a method of using heaters to slightly raise the temperature inside the hive 1 or 2 degrees above the dew point to reduce condensate. We've already created the heater base and are working on microcomputers to do the calculations and modulate the heaters. Our hope is that we can increase the survival rates of overwintered hives. We are running fiber optic cables to help monitor the data and provide live streaming videos. We will be posting our successes and failures on our website. If we are successful, we would most likely want to try collaborating with larger bee yards (>10 hives) to do a test on half the hive population to see if maintaining temperatures slightly above the dew-point create a statistical significance in the survivability of overwintered hives.
We are testing a method of using heaters to slightly raise the temperature inside the hive 1 or 2 degrees above the dew point to reduce condensate. We've already created the heater base and are working on microcomputers to do the calculations and modulate the heaters. Our hope is that we can increase the survival rates of overwintered hives. We are running fiber optic cables to help monitor the data and provide live streaming videos. We will be posting our successes and failures on our website. If we are successful, we would most likely want to try collaborating with larger bee yards (>10 hives) to do a test on half the hive population to see if maintaining temperatures slightly above the dew-point create a statistical significance in the survivability of overwintered hives.
We are still designing the heater control unit that will sense the temperature and humidity of the upper hive box so we can calculate the dew point of the air and add enough heat to reduce condensation. The heater is 180 watts at 120 volts. The metal is grounded and the circuit is on a GFCI. The bees can not come in contact with the heater plate and are isolated by the screened bottom board. The electrical power and controller will be monitored by an automated system that can send e-mail and phone alerts to warn us of out of spec temperature and humidity.
We are still designing the heater control unit that will sense the temperature and humidity of the upper hive box so we can calculate the dew point of the air and add enough heat to reduce condensation. The heater is 180 watts at 120 volts. The metal is grounded and the circuit is on a GFCI. The bees can not come in contact with the heater plate and are isolated by the screened bottom board. The electrical power and controller will be monitored by an automated system that can send e-mail and phone alerts to warn us of out of spec temperature and humidity.
Temp Controller.pdfW1209 programming settings
W1209 programming settings
Trigger temp: 4
Trigger temp: 4
P0: H
P0: H
P1: 2
P1: 2
P2: 7
P2: 7
P3: -5
P3: -5
P4: 0
P4: 0
P5: 1
P5: 1
P6: Off
P6: Off