Any Electricians In The House?

[Angry White Male]

Here's the deal.  I've decided to feed some Hummingbirds that have decided to make their home around here for the Winter.



There's a bit of a cold-snap that has hit here, and temps are now consistently at or below freezing, day and night.  This creates an issue trying to keep the sugar-water from freezing.



Now, I have seen a design online that utilizes the heat from a 7 Watt night-light blub mounted underneath the feeder in an "enclosure."  This is apparently just enough to keep the feeder from freezing.



This is a very simple wiring and install job for me, but there's one thing I wonder about, since I'm not an electrician...  Since this is obviously going to be used outdoors, are there any tips or precautions I should know about?  The biggest thing I was wondering about was if it would be prudent for me to wire in some kind of in-line fuse with a trip amperage far less than the trip amperage of the fuse in my main electrical box?

[Berry Sweet]

Please dont do anything drunk and dumb.  Go buy something legal and proper working condition.  The birds deserve it.

[kiebers]

Are you doing this on a balcony? Is there a ground fault plug on the patio? It is built into my house is why I ask. Other wise I would say yes you would want to do some kind of low amp fusing.

[Angry White Male]

Please dont do anything drunk and dumb.  Go buy something legal and proper working condition.  The birds deserve it.

A product like this is not easy to purchase in Canada, since they don't sell such an item.



Wiring of an item like this is easy.  I replaced my indoor light fixtures myself, 'cause I didn't like the ones that were here.  The place hasn't burnt down yet.



It's moreso how important a low-amperage in-line fuse would be...



I ask this, as at one time I had my Christmas lights strung to my aluminum railing, and if it rained enough, the lights would actually "seep" enough to very mildly charge the railing.  Just a minor charge when railing touched.  The house fuse did NOT blow.  I no longer hang them there.



Just basically need to know what, if any, additional safety measures should be implemented for a very low wattage (7 amp) bulb to be used in an outdoor environment.

[Berry Sweet]

http://ednewbold.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/hummingbird-feeder-Pollack2.jpg">



Or



http://fraservalley.wbu.com/download/66139?type=.jpg">



^^ it really doesnt need to be that close...buy a low wattage one and place further away...make sure it is secured properly as it does get hot...I use those for my lizards...they give off good heat.

[Angry White Male]

Are you doing this on a balcony? Is there a ground fault plug on the patio? It is built into my house is why I ask. Other wise I would say yes you would want to do some kind of low amp fusing.

Yes, on a patio.



The outlet has ground-fault plug.  However, I'm certain that any 7 watt night-light unit will only be a two-prong...

[Angry White Male]

http://ednewbold.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/hummingbird-feeder-Pollack2.jpg">

This is what I'm sort of doing, except properly, unlike the hack that cobbled this ^^^ together...

[Berry Sweet]

Please dont do anything drunk and dumb.  Go buy something legal and proper working condition.  The birds deserve it.

A product like this is not easy to purchase in Canada,

Did you look online?

[RW]

Buy a proper heated hummingbird feeder rather than trying to rig one.

[Angry White Male]

Buy a proper heated hummingbird feeder rather than trying to rig one.

Read the thread.  You can't find them for sale in Canada.  If you could, I'd go and buy one.

[Angry White Male]

Basically I want to bust the nightlight housing apart, permanently install it in an enclosure that sits under the feeder, and hardwire it to an extension cord.



This is a very simple thing to do, and would work.  Trust me, my quality is good.  As stated, I installed all my new indoor light fixtures, so I'm quite able to twist a few wires together.



The only question I'm asking is whether or not it would be prudent to add any extra safeguards, like a low-amp in-line fuse.



I'm not asking whether or not you think I should do it.  I don't recall asking that question.

[Angry White Male]

So kiebers, you think just running a two prong with a low amperage in-line would be a safe bet?



Assuming a "standard" 7 Watt bulb would be the only thing ever running through this line, would you know of a desirable fuse amp rating for this circuit, obviously assuming it would have to handle the odd spike that's inherent in any circuits?

[Berry Sweet]

Im sure youre great at everything Mel...so why bother to ask here?

[Angry White Male]

Im sure youre great at everything Mel...so why bother to ask here?

Just wanted to see if anyone has some electrical knowledge they'd like to share.



That's why I asked.  I thought the title of this thread was quite clear.  Did you read the title of this thread, Berry?

[RW]

Buy a proper heated hummingbird feeder rather than trying to rig one.

Read the thread.  You can't find them for sale in Canada.  If you could, I'd go and buy one.

De-icer in Canada: https://backyardbird.ca/products/songbird-essentials-birdbath-multi-use-de-icer">https://backyardbird.ca/products/songbi ... se-de-icer">https://backyardbird.ca/products/songbird-essentials-birdbath-multi-use-de-icer



See if these guys deliver to Canada: http://www.hummersheateddelight.com/order.html">http://www.hummersheateddelight.com/order.html