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Feeder solar panel #8317648 07/11/21 02:18 AM
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I want to use a solar panel for keeping the battery up this year, Academy has one (6 Volts)for $17.99 GameWinner brand..
Anybody have experience with it? I don't want one that will crap out after the first year. Which i know is a fairly broad question.
Any recommendations?


Do not forget to entertain strangers, For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels
Hebrews 13:2
Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8317661 07/11/21 02:28 AM
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stxranchman Offline
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Most of the lower end 6v or 12v are low output of around 70mA. They will last for around 5-7 yrs before the plastic turns yellow and cloudy looking causing them to not charge as well. I have wanted to try the stuff you clean dull headlight covers with to clear them up and brighten them to see if it will help older solar panels. Get a panel with wiring protected in metal flex conduit so the critters wont chew it up or put the panel directly on the feeder control box...running the wires behind the panel into the box. You only need so much sun to keep a fully charged battery up and running. The most draw on a battery is the instant the motor kicks on...then it the current draw goes down as the motor is spinning.


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Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8317668 07/11/21 02:38 AM
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Based on my long battle with coons, get the solar panels with metal framework. Coons actually chewed my plastic solar panels into small pieces. The metal ones have survived for years. As for wiring, same with plastic conduit. Get metal conduit and metal connectors. The coons never sleep…and they reproduce like crazy…


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Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8317691 07/11/21 03:02 AM
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Great ideas, Thank you both.
I've got pictures on the trail cam of coons trying to figure out how to shinny up the pole and get to the container.


Do not forget to entertain strangers, For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels
Hebrews 13:2
Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8317959 07/11/21 03:43 PM
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I just installed the 6v game winner on my feeder and like it. It came with everything I needed to install it. It has metal conduit to protect the wiring. It also had the right connectors to connect to 6v batteries you get at the store which some don’t have. My battery was about 3/4 charged when I put it in. When I checked back an hour or two later it was fully charged.

Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8317976 07/11/21 03:59 PM
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The one at Academy will work fine. It shows to have a mounting bracket, conduit and is a 90mA.
I would buy this one.
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/game-winner-6-v-solar-panel-charger?sku=6-v
Not this one.
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/wildgame-innovations-trophy-hunter™A2-solar-panel


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Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8318012 07/11/21 04:46 PM
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I tried a few of the solar panels sold at the hunting/sporting goods stores, and they where all junk. I went to Northern Tool, and found one for around $40 that has worked great for over a dozen years now.

Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8318730 07/12/21 02:36 PM
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We've used two of the Game Winner panels for over three years now and haven't had any issues. As already mentioned, make sure your wiring is secured in the metal flex conduit.


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Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8318993 07/12/21 07:31 PM
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Picked up the Game Winner panel today, all metal construction.
[Linked Image]
Took me longer than it should have to find them... Walked right past them twice hammer


Do not forget to entertain strangers, For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels
Hebrews 13:2
Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8325039 07/19/21 03:05 PM
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I've been using the Game Winner motor box and solar panels for a number of years when old boxes have gone south for various reasons. The 6vdc box/motor (toss the timers that comes with it), attach a 6vdc solar panel directly to the back of the box (so it's inside the cage), install fresh battery and "The Timer" and a coon cage ... I have several like this set up and running for 4-5 years without any issues. Box/motor and solar panel together is about $65-70.


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Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8325087 07/19/21 03:39 PM
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Go to the Solar Store and buy one with with an aluminum frame and glass. I’ve been running the same ones for over 10 years and I never have to wonder if their still working or not. Just make sure the wiring is protected and your good to go. Their a little more money but piece of mind is worth more to me than a cheap solar panel working or not.

Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8326420 07/20/21 07:29 PM
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Game Winners are solid. Metal frame, conduit, dual spade connectors, self tapping screws, etc.

We use these to secure the conduit to the barrel to minimize any drooping that the coons can hang on. Cable Clamp

Also use zip ties to secure conduit to the varmint cage for the same reason.

Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8365016 08/27/21 02:02 AM
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Boy it sure is nice not having to take the battery out and charge it or buy a new one.
clap


Do not forget to entertain strangers, For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels
Hebrews 13:2
Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8365549 08/27/21 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by TCM3
Boy it sure is nice not having to take the battery out and charge it or buy a new one.
clap

hahahah
No doubt!

I've been using solar panels for at least 25 years and would never go back. I've got a battery in my corn feeder at my home place that finally got replaced last year after about 10 years and it actually didn't go bad....I simply pulled it out and put it in my gate opener because that one crapped out and put the new one in the deer feeder! lmao


High fence, low fence, no fence, it really doesn't matter as long as you're hunting!
Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: ILUVBIGBUCKS] #8365633 08/27/21 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ILUVBIGBUCKS
Originally Posted by TCM3
Boy it sure is nice not having to take the battery out and charge it or buy a new one.
clap

hahahah
No doubt!

I've been using solar panels for at least 25 years and would never go back. I've got a battery in my corn feeder at my home place that finally got replaced last year after about 10 years and it actually didn't go bad....I simply pulled it out and put it in my gate opener because that one crapped out and put the new one in the deer feeder! lmao

you put a battery in your wife? peep grin

Last edited by TCM3; 08/27/21 04:14 PM.

Do not forget to entertain strangers, For by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels
Hebrews 13:2
Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8366050 08/27/21 10:49 PM
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Game Winner stuff is junk. We have banned it on our lease.


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Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8366069 08/27/21 11:02 PM
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Group owned/used feeders I hope.

'Put one on an old 6V I found on the place and use it in a pig trap. Working like a champ.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8366476 08/28/21 11:09 AM
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"The coons never sleep…and they reproduce like crazy…" True story!


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Sometimes the Universe puts you in the same situation again to see if you’re still a dumbass.
Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: Stump_jumper] #8366496 08/28/21 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Stump_jumper
Game Winner stuff is junk. We have banned it on our lease.


I have to agree - have not had much luck with their products over the years


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Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8370403 08/31/21 08:53 PM
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doesnt matter what solar panel you get their all made in china, same crap different label



Re: Feeder solar panel [Re: TCM3] #8370410 08/31/21 09:01 PM
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I have had about the same luck with the plastic and metal framed ones. Some of the plastic ones have lasted forever even thought they are very yellowed etc. still work. Some of the metal framed ones are still trucking some gave up the ghost in short order.


It's hell eatin em live
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