Forums46
Topics537,041
Posts9,719,741
Members86,989
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Solar Charger Deer Feeder
#6956381
11/12/17 02:30 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 43
Hog Slayer
OP
Light Foot
|
OP
Light Foot
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 43 |
This year opening morning the feeder didn't go off and we saw no deer at the feeder. After the hunt, Moultrie timer showed 100% for battery, but this was with solar panel connected to 6V rechargeable battery. Did a test on feeder and watched timer count down and the instant motor would have tried to start turning, the display on the timer went dead and motor did not spin at all. Measured battery with volt meter before disconnecting solar panel and measured about 7.5 volts. Disconnected solar panel from battery and noted after several measurements over a period of several minutes that the battery voltage was decaying, so realized does no good to check battery voltage with solar panel connected when the sun is shining. Measured output of solar panel and was 9 volts. Pretty much same scenario on another feeder we have. Although it did throw corn, it was pretty wimpy coming out whereas a new battery should spray the corn out hard enough to sting when you're taking it point blank in the chest. That solar panel measured 10 volts when disconnected from battery.
I have a few questions. Does it hurt the 6V rechargeable batteries when hitting it with 9 or 10 volts from the solar panel. Does anyone use any kind of charge controllers for the solar panel? Anyone know of a switch that is cheap and easy to install that would isolate the solar panel from the battery without having to spend several minutes untwisting the solar panel wires from the springs on the battery, probably be easiest to just install some alligator clips on the output wires from the solar panel I guess. Also, I was going to ask if anyone knew best way to test the battery under load, I guess just disconnect the solar panel output wires from the battery and then do a test on the feeder, right?
Will probably just replace the battery each year and not get too overly complicated about it unless anyone has any better ideas. Obviously makes a huge difference on the hunt when your feeder does not throw corn and all the feeders on the surrounding properties do. Thanks.
|
|
|
Re: Solar Charger Deer Feeder
[Re: Hog Slayer]
#6956497
11/12/17 04:08 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,212
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
|
THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,212 |
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
|
|
|
Re: Solar Charger Deer Feeder
[Re: Hog Slayer]
#6956531
11/12/17 04:38 AM
|
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091
CharlieCTx
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,091 |
Why don't you make your life easier and just make everything 6v or 12v, panels, battery and motor?
Kel-Tec RFB + Griffin Sportsman Ultra Light 300 + Pulsar Apex XQ-50 M&P-10 + AAC Cyclone Remy 700 + Leupold VX3 3.5x10x50 CDS
|
|
|
Re: Solar Charger Deer Feeder
[Re: CharlieCTx]
#6956627
11/12/17 12:43 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,966
kry226
The General
|
The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 11,966 |
Why don't you make your life easier and just make everything 6v or 12v, panels, battery and motor? Yup, 12v is the way to go. I've got two units that have been in the field since 2010 and I've only replaced the batteries once. The panels look like crap and that they shouldn't be working, but they're still going strong and charging perfectly.
|
|
|
Re: Solar Charger Deer Feeder
[Re: Hog Slayer]
#6956758
11/12/17 02:46 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,212
TEXASLEFTY
THF Whiskey Sommelier
|
THF Whiskey Sommelier
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 19,212 |
I run both, don't have a reason to get rid of the 6volt feeders I have running. If I'm lucky enough to keep hunting all my feeders will be 12 volt eventually. I run two 6 volt batteries in a series on my 12 volt feeders so all my feeders take the 6 volt batteries.
Never been to a camping world. I prefer Dick's to be honest.
|
|
|
Re: Solar Charger Deer Feeder
[Re: Hog Slayer]
#6957309
11/12/17 11:40 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 904
bholt
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 904 |
To me when you say springs that sounds like alkaline batteries. I will be the first to admit I could be wrong. The voltage your 6 volt charger puts out should not be the issue. Sounds like a dead cell, get a 6 volt rechargeable at academy/wally world that has the spades on it. They are about $10.00. While I strictly use 12 volt I did have a rechargeable battery go out several years ago that had the same symptoms. Hope that helps.
B Holt Shoot-em in the ear
|
|
|
Re: Solar Charger Deer Feeder
[Re: Hog Slayer]
#6957536
11/13/17 01:51 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,043
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,043 |
Are those batteries with spring connectors even rechargeable? Don't think so.
|
|
|
Re: Solar Charger Deer Feeder
[Re: Hog Slayer]
#6957608
11/13/17 02:34 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,606
603Country
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,606 |
Wilhunt has a good point. And just as a general rule, when something won’t work, my first step is to replace the battery. It’s always the battery (not always, but close enough).
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
|
|
|
Re: Solar Charger Deer Feeder
[Re: 603Country]
#6965773
11/19/17 06:58 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 350
Stinger13
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 350 |
Also check the fuse system, maybe corroded or loose.
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|