I have a Moultrie Spin Feeder I put out about 6 years ago. A little over a year ago I went to check on it and noticed it was completely empty when it should have had at least half the corn left in it. So I checked the game camera and saw that it dumped out all the corn the day after I replaced the battery with a rechargeable battery and reconnected the old solar panel to the battery. Not knowing why it happened I drove into town and bought a cheap battery from family dollar and through a few bags of corn in. Tested it and it was working fine so left it alone and didn't have anymore issues with it until now. One month ago I went out to check on my stuff and replaced the old cheap battery with a new rechargeable battery, connected the solar panel to the battery and topped of the feeder with corn. Tested it out and ran fine. Well I went out there this weekend and noticed all the corn was gone again. Checked the game camera and it showed it being all dumped out 2 days after replacing the battery.

Any of you fellas have any idea what is going on? Seems like something is triggering the motor to stay running until the battery goes dead dumping out all the corn. Both times it dumped the corn out it had a rechargeable battery with the old solar panel hooked up. When I had the cheap non rechargeable battery it seems like it ran normal. I've used rechargeable batteries and never had any problems until last year. Should I replace the timer or motor or the whole assembly? Or is it time for a whole new feeder?

I would guess you have a timer problem. What type of timer are you running?

It's the moultrie timer. I replaced the whole kit once already a few years back with a moultrie. It was the same type that had originally came with the feeder.

When I have problems like that, I will replace the whole motor/timer.

But I take the old one home and get it back operational.

So on camera you sell all the corn on the ground? Within two days?

When you say you test it do you set it for a few minutes after the current time and watch? Or just hit the test button?

Yeah on the camera it showed all the corn on the ground within two days.

I've tested it both ways and it ran fine. I'm leaning towards replacing the whole kit rather than just the timer.

Timer is defective I am thinking. The motor wont have power until the timer sends it.

I have a couple of timers that have shown long term reliability. The Timer is my favorite. Try one of them before you replace the motor, which seems to work.

The replacement Moultrie timer is $35 and the whole kit is $50 on Amazon which comes with the timer and motor. So for $15 more I can replace he whole thing and that is why I was leaning towards that route.

What he said.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/American-Hunter-Heavy-Duty-Digital-Spin-Kit/1801093.uts?slotId=9

Spend a little more money and get this, you will not regret it

https://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/store...ASABEgLITPD_BwE

I have had great luck with these. Generally get a few years out of them without issue. Replace the 6v and the AA battery once a year.

Moultrie is a peddler of junk.

Buy a good quality 12v unit with solar panel and not worry about it for 20 years You already payed for one in dumped corn. Skip the junk

What would you consider a good quality 12v unit with solar panel?

I say the solar panels are hit or miss no matter the "quality" or cost. You can buy two of them and have one last 6 months and the other still be working fine 10+ years later.

Found this one on amazon for a little cheaper. Looks like I will be giving it a try. Do I need to patch up the old holes on the bottom of the feeder from the old Moultrie kit? The 12 volt kit will not bolt up to the same holes.

Yes, I would.

What do you recommend using to patch up the holes?

Whatever type of caulk or silicone you already have. I would crawl in the barrel and seal the inside first...

Is this All Season Spin Kit pretty good or should I go with the American Hunter Kit from Cabelas?

https://www.allseasonsfeeders.com/products/spin-feeder-control-unit

All seasons gtg get a eliminator spinner plate and still use a varmint cage . Use a dry lube on spring and chain

Thanks. Why use a varmint cage though if the eliminator spinner plates states that a cage is not needed? Does this sling out the corn a good distance?

Because raccoons ignore the directions.

. There's your answer

Thanks fellas. I was browsing craigslist and came across two #300 all seasons broadcast feeders with solar panels, batteries and varmint cages. They are both 3 years old. Guy is asking $500 for both of them and thinking of taking them off his hands. Anything to worry about with buying used feeders? Says they both work great and only reason for selling is due to losing his lease. Also is the price good for both of them? Not sure what they cost new.

Looks like they are $300 new. If your buying both of them talk him down a little.

Where did you find them for $300 new? Locally they are $395 plus tax.

Lol! I just googled it and clicked on the first link

Ah.. I believe the protein feeder is $300. Offered $400 for both of them but no luck.

agree ... I have one feeder, winch up, that I put a eliminator plate on, but get 2-3 good size coons doing gymnastics on the timer box, it tends to slide down on the brackets to where the eliminator plate doesn't come into contact with bottom of barrel ... rendering it ineffective for it's designed use.

Once you get the timer box set where you want it put a hex head self tapping screw through the adjustable arm and the box no more slippage that eliminator spinner plate banging up and down will loosen the wing nuts . Or chunk the wing nut and use a 1/4 x 20 nylon lock nut

Yesterday I was out and about looking for the 12 volt all seasons control unit and couldn't find the one listed at $69.95. I did find the one listed at $109.00 though but wondering what's the difference between the two other than the timer. The motor and box look the same. Do you fellas know of any other differences between the two to justify the $40 difference?

https://www.allseasonsfeeders.com/products/spin-feeder-control-unit

https://www.allseasonsfeeders.com/products/12-volt-control-unit

Yes, the more expensive one comes with "The Timer," a very good and reliable timer. It's worth it IMO.

As others have said, spend the money on a reliable 12V unit with box-mounted solar panel and Eliminator plate. You will save money and frustration in the long run. Buy locally, or I can ship as well.

Those used All Seasons feeders were a good deal, if they are still for sale.

Thanks. Looks like I'm going to bite the bullet and get the Evolution unit. Local place has it in stock. I'll be mounting it to my 55 gallon barrel and not sure where to mount the solar panel too. Any ideas?

I'm still trying to get those 2 used all seasons feeders. Waiting on a reply from the seller.

Yes, mount it right to the box. If done right there will be no cable exposed for the coons to mess with.

Thanks for all the help and advice fellas. Really appreciate it.

If you can’t mount directly to the box, be sure to run the wiring through metallic conduit and anchor it at both ends. I had much frustration till I listened to that advice and did it right.

Was the corn slung out in a circle or just dumped under the feeder in a pile? If it just dumped out either your spinner plate is too far from the hole or your hole is too big. This doesn't explain the previous occurence, though. I'm just spit balling, throwing stuff out for the brain trust.

Slung out in a circle. It's a cheap Moultrie barrel feeder with a 6 volt set up. Found a local guy who has two used #300 all seasons feeders that I plan on taking off his hands and will replace the broken feeder. Although my uncle was out there this past week and said it was working fine so not sure what the problem is with it but I'm guessing it's the timer.

Well I finally got around to buying the Two Complete #300 All Seasons Feeders and an older #100 All Seasons Hercules Road Feeder all for $500 from a guy I found on Craigslist. The road feeder needs a bit of TLC and some paint. The top of the lid has some rust that I would like to clean up and paint the whole feeder. What do you guys recommend on cleaning the rust and what type of paint should I use? All 3 feeders work great.

Sand paper and Krylon. Not being a smartxxx but it's really that simple. I found krylon brand spray will last about 3 times longer than the off brand. Coverage and time.....

Thanks. That was my initial thought but just wasn't sure if there was a better way of going about it like using some special rust inhibitor and paint. I'll take a wire brush and knock off any lose rust then prime and paint it.

Brush off the rust with a wire brush and then paint some phosphoric acid on those spots and let it sit, then rinse with water and dry it. That will convert any left over rust (even the stuff you can't see) from iron oxide to iron phosphate which makes an excellent surface coating that paint will stick to quite well. Phosphoric acid is used in industrial pretreatment equipment for manufactured steel parts prior to painting or powder coating, but you can get it in a small bottle from Home Depot i think or a paint store. For the rest of the paint that is sound, just do what TEXASLEFTY said. Scuff it good with sandpaper and wipe down with mineral spirits or similar to get the dust and oxidized paint cleaned off. Rustoleum red primer is some pretty sturdy stuff.