So I was complaining about various feeder timers recently and then went ahead and bought THE TIMER. Worked, but not great. I put a new 6V battery in the loop AGAIN, and it worked Ok. A day later it quit working. Man, I don't need the stress. Went to Academy and got a new motor. While I was there I saw the small lead acid rechargeable batteries. Heck...$9...it's worth a try. Before I went to all the trouble to install the new motor, I put the new battery in the loop and ran a test on The Timer. Dang thing almost threw corn through the front of my Bubba Cap. It's always the battery. Can't believe I forgot that known fact.

Motor is Ok. The Timer is Ok. Battery is Ok. Deer are now happy, as is the wife (this is her yard feeder, so it HAS to work for a happy home life).

It's the battery.....don't forget that.

Solar panel if you don't already have one. Also check it to make sure it is pulling in enough voltage to keep your battery charge if you have one now. I have had solar panels go bad over the last 25 yrs.

This feeder is in a shady spot. I doubt that it gets enough direct sunlight, or I'd put a solar charger on it.

I have had feeders in shady areas before and the solar panel kept the battery up fine. It only takes a short amount of full sun to keep a fully charged battery up.

+1 on the solar, even if not in direct sunlight. Timer and motor actually only use a tiny amount of power.
Its the 'self-Discharge' on a re-chargable that kills it's longevity, if you don't have a solar to replenish it daily.

you could spin it by hand every day

All is working fine now. Have a couple of deer under the feeder right now. I will probably buy a solar cell for 6v and try it out. Can't hurt.

So no to spinning by hand?

This. It doesn't require full sun at anytime. It could be in full shade and still provide a 'trickle charge'. I've tested them.

I'll get a solar panel and try it. Can't hurt. Beats my having to reach down from the top of the barrel and spin it by hand. Turns out that Navasot's advice isn't the greatest. :-)

Rarely the battery with a solar panels it's usually the coons.