Need ideas to heat a Baptismal Font

[SpurHunter]

The Font at church sits next to a concrete block wall, and this time of year is VERY cold. Got a lot of folks saying they will have to wait for it to warm up, so we are in need of ideas. If I use a small water electric water heater I will have to build an enclosure for it, and wiring will be a problem unless I can convert it to a standard 110 outlet plug. </p>

This is a full-body immersion font, so it holds quite a bit of water. </p>

Anybody got any great ideas? Thanks!</p>

 

[cooperjd]

not knowing what it looks like or your wiring situation, what about an aquarium heater?

 

[NRG]

Call kickshaw (423) 875-6672 on Hixson pike here in Chattanooga , they make baptismals maybe they have a good answer, or call a pool dealer

 

[tyler ware]

Spur, Dunk them in the cold water, more of a shock and renewal that way. I would just hook it to a small water heater that is in a seperate location with a pump pushing the water. You could turn it on Saturday before the service on Sunday to warm it up. You can also run a WH on 110 V if I am not mistaken, it will just take much longer to warm up.

 

[SpurHunter]

Dont think the aqaurium heater will do this many gallons, it is bigger than most hot-tubs. I am guessing 1500-2000 gallons??

 

[cooperjd]

a large hot tub will be about 500 gallons. if you can rig something up like tyler's suggestion, that is probably the best way, as thats how a lot of very large aquariums do it. and if you wanna get curious, if you take the dimensions (LxWxH) of the font, get that number in inches^3 and multiply by 0.00433 it will tell you how many gallons are in it.

 

[SpurHunter]

tyler ware - 1/13/2009 12:28 PM Spur, Dunk them in the cold water, more of a shock and renewal that way. I would just hook it to a small water heater that is in a seperate location with a pump pushing the water. You could turn it on Saturday before the service on Sunday to warm it up. You can also run a WH on 110 V if I am not mistaken, it will just take much longer to warm up.

</p>

I hear ya Tyler!!emoLaugh I dont know what they are complaing about, i got dunked at Possum Creek Campground in FEBRUARY!emoEek</p>

Cant really run a water heater unless its right next to it, otherwise the pipes would have to run on the floor, and for 100 feet or more. Not really an option. I would love to find something portable to plug in and heat it up, adn then remove it, but open to anything that will work. </p>

I really appreciate the ideas, keep-um coming!</p>

</p>

 

[minner]

It would take a long time for 110V to heat up 1K+ gallons of water.
Is it full all the time or just when there is a Baptism....if not then get an on demand hot water heater, if you fill it up as needed. If nothing else if may be "easier" to leave the heat on in the chuch set to 70 degrees at all times if it's constantly full.

 

[SpurHunter]

It stays full Minner, buidling is too big (and tall)and not used every day to leave the heat that high. The real problem is it sits right against an outside wall. We just ant to knock a little chill off of it, not really "heat" it.</p>

Also, the problem with an on-demand heater, is no water supply located at the Font...this is getting more complicated than I thought. emoScratch</p>

 

[drumking]

I liked Tyler's first suggestion the best. Dunk'm cold or go rent an indoor Motel pool for an hour or so.

 

[Guest]

Been there done that Spur. Don'r try to "rig" something.The only answer is to get a baptistry heater. They still take several hours to heat the water but will maintain the heat as long as they are plugged in. The water must be circulated to be heated properly and SAFELY. They can be purchased for 120 VAC or 240 VAC.

 

[Fishin Fool]

Possible solution:

http://www.watergarden.org/Pond-Supplies/Winterizing-Your-Pond/1250-Watt-Floating-Pond-Deicer

 

[Skeeter]

Spur, Go down to Sams Club and get a 55 gal. drum of pintos..... You know what to do next.... emoPoke