What Size Generator Do You Need to Run a Stock Tank De-Icer?
By the Generator Size Calculator Team · Updated · 5 min read
Quick answer: Honda lists a stock tank de-icer at 1,000 watts and a 25-mile electric fence at 250 watts, with no start-up surge on either. A 2,000-watt inverter generator runs one de-icer, and with care a de-icer and a fence. Two de-icers need about 2,500 watts, or 3,000 watts with a fence. Check your de-icer label, since models differ and many cycle on and off with a thermostat.
De-icer and fence watts
| Equipment | Running watts | Starting watts |
|---|---|---|
| Stock tank de-icer | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Electric fence, 25 miles | 250 | 250 |
These are Honda's typical figures from its farm equipment list. A de-icer is a heating element, so there is no extra start-up load, and many have a thermostat that switches the element off once the water is above freezing, which lowers the average draw. Check your label for the watts.
Which generator size to choose
| Setup | Running load | Generator at 80% |
|---|---|---|
| One de-icer | 1,000 W | About 1,250 W, so 2,000 W inverter |
| One de-icer and an electric fence | 1,250 W | About 1,560 W, so 2,000 W is tight, 2,500 W is safer |
| Two de-icers | 2,000 W | About 2,500 W |
| Two de-icers and an electric fence | 2,250 W | About 2,800 W, so 3,000 W |
A typical 2,000-watt inverter delivers about 1,600 running watts, so its 80% mark is about 1,280 watts, which just covers one de-icer plus a fence at 1,250 watts. Sizes use the 80% rule. If the generator also powers the barn lights or a heater, add them with the generator wattage calculator.
Add de-icers, lights and a fan.
Cold-weather tips
- Check your generator's cold-start advice. Propane and dual fuel units often start more easily in the cold. See propane vs gasoline generators.
- Use heavy, outdoor-rated cords and keep them off the wet ground and away from animals. See the extension cord calculator.
- Plan the fuel. A small generator at about 1,250 watts may run for many hours on a tank. See how long a generator runs on a tank of gas.
- Keep the generator away from the barn. Exhaust is dangerous to animals as well as people.
Run the generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. Never in a garage or shed, even with the door open. Keep exhaust away from barns and animal shelters too. See how far a generator should be from your house.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a stock tank de-icer use?
Honda lists a stock tank de-icer at about 1,000 watts.
How many watts does an electric fence use?
Honda lists a 25-mile electric fence at about 250 watts.
Can a 2000-watt generator run a stock tank de-icer?
Yes, one de-icer, and with care a de-icer and a fence, since 1,250 watts is just under the roughly 1,280-watt 80% mark of a typical 2,000-watt inverter.
What size generator runs two de-icers?
About 2,500 watts for the two de-icers, or 3,000 watts with an electric fence.
Do de-icers have a starting surge?
No. A resistive heating element draws about the same at start-up as when running.
Related calculators
Sources: Running and starting watts from the Honda generator wattage guide (stock tank de-icer and electric fence, from its farm equipment list). Generator sizes apply the 80% running rule. De-icer thermostat behavior varies by model.