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Help, feeder problems!!!!
#7313026
10/13/18 02:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 486
duckslayer1206
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 486 |
So I hunt in east Texas, typical pines/ oaks with canopy. I’ve moved my feeder several times trying to get the best sun so the solar panel will charge a 6v battery. I have a rechargeable battery it was charged full before setting the feeder a week ago. First sit of the year, 7:00 comes and nothing. I just went down and checked it the battery is half full and everything was set right. I tested the feeder it spun corn. I fought all last year with the same problem what the heck am I doing wrong. The timer and solar panel have slid clips that go on the battery not alligator. Should I splice the two together so it’s only one wire instead of 2?
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7313049
10/13/18 02:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,045
Western
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,045 |
Sounds like a timer issue to me if the motor spins when tested.
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7313052
10/13/18 02:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,542
rickym
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,542 |
If you spend most of a day out there you should be able to find a particular spot that gets the most sun, problem being that if it’s not a decent size spot the sun won’t hit the same spot year round. No you don’t need to splice them, but should have 3 way connectors that have 2 male ends to be able to slide both wires on. I would worry more about your timer.
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: Western]
#7313147
10/13/18 04:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 606
Cajunrotor
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 606 |
Sounds like a timer issue to me if the motor spins when tested. I agree with Western. If it tests ok and slings well, then I would look closely at the timer. I know that on more than one occasion when I set a couple of mine in bright sunlight I misread the am/pm setting and was 12 hours off!
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7313160
10/13/18 05:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,266
Pope&Young
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,266 |
Is the corn level in the feeder going down? If so you know it's spinning. I would check the AM PM settings to make sure there not reversed.
If the feed level is not going down I would replace the timer.
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7313318
10/13/18 08:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,705
toolman
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,705 |
What brand and type of timer is it?
Old age ain't for sissies!
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7313386
10/13/18 09:20 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 486
duckslayer1206
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 486 |
Wildlife innovations from academy, 6v rechargeable battery and 6/12 volt wildlife innovation solar panel. So before I left because we got chased out of Athens with approaching tornadoes I spliced all positive cconnections together, spliced all negative together so I would only have one wire from positive and negative connecting to battery. I also put a fully charged 12 volt in it instead of a 6v. Hopefully that does something if not I’m just going to buy a new timer. It’s on a edge of a pine thicket that gets a lot of afternoon sun so hopefully the solar panel will work or help keep the battery charged.
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7313544
10/13/18 11:59 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 908
bholt
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 908 |
Not familiar with 6/12 solar panels, but generally 12 volt batteries don't work well on 6 volt timers or 6 volt motors.
B Holt Shoot-em in the ear
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7313545
10/14/18 12:00 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,045
Western
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,045 |
Wildlife innovations aren't known for quality, nor longevity, been down that road already. I'm sure there are few who luck into a good one, but you will find more folks that have moved on. I have also found the same with their trail cameras, you defiantly get less than the little you pay for them imo. You want a damn good one from a member here, get a hold of Kevin (TxAg) owner of Weaverbilt http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/users/4825
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7314025
10/14/18 04:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 908
bholt
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 908 |
I thoroughly agree with western however I get the feeling you are on a limited budget. If I were you I would get me a box style feeder control unit that uses a 12 volt motor. Academy used to sell a Everlast for about $99.00 dollars. They screw/bolt to the bottom of the barrel and you can adjust the spinner gap as well as the run time of course. Tthat way if the timer fails you can change it out without much effort. I used to use the HCR's G box on my feeders and still have them operating 12 years later, another hint leave your unit running year round to prevent the weather/rain from allowing the motor to seize up. If I were in the market for a timer today I would go with THE TIMER. Once you have the box installed everything else can be considered components and can be replaced, motor arond $20.00, battery $20.00, Timer $29-70.00, and yes stay away from the cheaper ones.
Last edited by bholt; 10/14/18 04:32 PM.
B Holt Shoot-em in the ear
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7314111
10/14/18 05:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,526
Reloder28
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,526 |
I got tired of similar problems. I quit buying batteries & timers from Academy & other such places. I finally spent the good money & purchased The Timer, bought a sealed lead/acid motorcycle battery online. Bought a more expensive Solar unit from Sweeney. Have not had a single problem since. The Timer runs perfectly every time, works great with its remote & never loses time.
Cheap stuff gives you cheap results.
Wildlife Innovations, aside from being owned by that sorry Busbice clan in LA, is nothing but cheap junk.
[b][/b]
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7315247
10/15/18 07:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,900
PMK
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,900 |
I have a number of 6v motor/timers that will last 3-4 months without a solar panel running 1-2 seconds twice a day. Sounds like a timer issue unless there was corrosion on some of the connections? I find it hard to believe that a fully charged battery would drop to 1/2 charged in a week, are you sure the solar panel isn't hooked up backwards?
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7315285
10/15/18 08:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 950
YellowDog
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 950 |
Set the time to go off in 10 minutes. Wait around 10 minutes and see if the timer and motor work. If they do Then check your time settings.
Born to Hunt/Fish
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7317322
10/17/18 01:50 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,101
Always ready 2 hunt
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,101 |
My experience with Wildlife Innovations crap is that it peters out pretty quick and using 12v batter on 6v timer usually wears out the timer or causes faults. My suggestion is cry one and buy a 12v system box with The Timer, eliminator plate, and quality 12v battery and solar charger (check out West Texas Supply) and other sell unit completely assembled with a 12v solar panel mounted on side of housing box. For wooded areas, I use a Coleman 1.5v solar panel that have added long extension wire (threaded through metal flex conduit)with this running up a tree about 10-15' and then with a 90 joint runs out horizontal to best opening for sunlight.
I too got tired of franken equipment and have been very pleased since going with quality which run 365 with no issues for last 3 years and same battery.
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7317340
10/17/18 02:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,185
Stratgolfer
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,185 |
"I was called by the Yorkers a outlaw, and later by the english a rebel" Ethan Allen
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7324544
10/23/18 09:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,089
jakebunch
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,089 |
Replace everything that has Wildgame Innov on it and about 99% of your feeder issues will cease.
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7324692
10/24/18 12:19 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,077
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,077 |
Make sure your solar panel wires are wired to battery correctly. You can check with a volt meter. Hooked up correctly a 6 volt will run for a long time just not as powerful as the 12 volt. I have both.
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7327557
10/26/18 09:29 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,705
toolman
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,705 |
The WI timers aren't great. If money's no object, I'd buy The Timer and call it good, or, you can get a Spintech on eBay for less than what the WI costs. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Spintech-6v-Sure-Time-Deer-Feeder-Replacement-Timer-A030/273502694133?hash=item3fae07eaf5:g:u8MAAOSwTY9bvlAA:rk:3:pf:0#rwid
Old age ain't for sissies!
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7353225
11/20/18 01:53 AM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 59
WILLIED72
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 59 |
Take that junk off and install a Moultrie Pro series..Ive had zero problems with em..it even has a feature of how many lbs you put in = the time = how many days..it will last. 6 start times..etc..
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7374844
12/12/18 08:24 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,879
sbushee
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,879 |
Hunt west of Austin, problem solved
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7376246
12/13/18 11:05 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,483
jim1961
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,483 |
Upgrade the timer. We spend too much money to scrimp on a timer
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: jakebunch]
#7385808
12/24/18 03:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,496
Halfadozen
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10,496 |
Replace everything that has Wildgame Innov on it and about 99% of your feeder issues will cease. ^^^!
Freedom is a fragile thing ...Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again. -- Ronald Reagan
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7385982
12/24/18 07:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,964
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,964 |
Wildlife innovations from academy, 6v rechargeable battery and 6/12 volt wildlife innovation solar panel. So before I left because we got chased out of Athens with approaching tornadoes I spliced all positive cconnections together, spliced all negative together so I would only have one wire from positive and negative connecting to battery. I also put a fully charged 12 volt in it instead of a 6v. Hopefully that does something if not I’m just going to buy a new timer. It’s on a edge of a pine thicket that gets a lot of afternoon sun so hopefully the solar panel will work or help keep the battery charged. Wildlife Innovations does not make a single combination solar panel for use on both 6 and 12 volt batteries. They have a 6 volt model and a 12 volt model. Your using a 6 volt solar panel at less than 1 watt for a 12 volt battery. Your solar panel is not going to maintain a 12 volt battery.
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Re: Help, feeder problems!!!!
[Re: duckslayer1206]
#7387297
12/26/18 09:43 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872
GLC
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872 |
Regardless about the solar cell is charging or not, when you do the test and it goes off, then it has nothing to do with your solar charger. I still run 5 Wildgame timers. Definitely not the best but they still work. First like above, verify Am and Pm settings. I have done that before. Second if settings are correct replace your controller. I have had WG controllers get a mind of their own for no reason at all. You probably wont get the plug on here but Academy sells a good unit for an inexpensive price. They still rep WG but carry their own controllers now. I don't know how but the Academy brand use about a quarter of the charge in a 6 volt battery compared to WG. I have and use both controllers now. When the WG goes bad they are replaced with Academy brand. You can by the complete unit minus solar panel for about $36 bucks. Rarely do I ever change out the batteries out of the Academy units. They are like the "energizer bunny", they go on and on.
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