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Feeder batteries
#9116467
10/02/24 06:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,409
QuitShootinYoungBucks
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,409 |
I think one of mine may have quit. If you aren't close to your place, do you periodically replace yours as preventive maintenance, or just deal with the feeder being down for a bit until you get there? If you replace early, how often?
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116475
10/02/24 06:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 15,270
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 15,270 |
I always try to carry a spare new one in my truck and replace as needed.
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116483
10/02/24 06:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,112
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,112 |
I have replaced all of mine annually, but I'm throwing away money doing that. With a solar panel, I think I should get 3 to 4 years out of a battery. That's what some on here have indicated and also what the guy at Batteries + said. I'm gonna try to hold off this next year and remind myself that a few deer going without some corn for a bit is not the end of the world. I take this stuff waaaay too seriously.
...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
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116491
10/02/24 06:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,101
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,101 |
My 2 are 12v, on solar. I change them once a year. It's 4.5 hours to the lease, nearest place to buy them in the area is an hour away. It's probably the cheapest thing I can do to insure my feeders run year round every day and for me to avoid maybe missing a month of feeding during the time between trips in the off season. I know my batteries would last a couple of years but we had a summer that was brutal a few years back and my batteries just fried, totally failed. It's like the battery in my Ranger and truck, I'd rather change it when I plan it than when I don't.
Last edited by onlysmith&wesson; 10/02/24 06:51 PM.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116496
10/02/24 06:57 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,521
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,521 |
I am in process of checking all 11 of ours over next couple days. I do a lot of preventative checking on feeders and cameras. Ounce prevention-pound cure etc. The key is to put a volt meter on them with some regularity and make sure to check voltage during a test throw so it’s under load. Minutes ago I did that and it showed 12.2V then when hit test and it threw it dropped to 8.7. Not good. It will go right back up to 12ish but not good. Under test/load it usually drops about 1 V which is acceptable. Its been working but a sign of going bad. Alligator clips on volt meter helps a lot when doing this. I don’t keep records but with a working solar cam a batt should easily last 3 to 4 years and we run ours year round.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116499
10/02/24 07:01 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,101
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,101 |
FWIW, the 2 AA in The Timer will last 6 years. I got the indicator on the feeder I bought from Ramball recently. I don't think those actually do anything other than maintain settings when the 12v is down.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116503
10/02/24 07:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,112
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,112 |
^^^I've been putting off testing like this. Thanks for the info. Now I gotta find a voltmeter with alligator clips. That will save me some cussin'.
...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
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: Hudbone]
#9116505
10/02/24 07:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,295
Wilhunt
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6,295 |
Agree on this, grey body and blue top0
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: Creekrunner]
#9116514
10/02/24 07:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,521
freerange
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,521 |
^^^I've been putting off testing like this. Thanks for the info. Now I gotta find a voltmeter with alligator clips. That will save me some cussin'. You can buy the leads with clips separate on line. Without clips it’s easy to be pushing on the connectors while avoiding the test corn and push them off or push the connectors off(that’ll add to any issue).
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116520
10/02/24 07:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,409
QuitShootinYoungBucks
OP
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,409 |
Great info here! I think my local place carries the blue tops (and that's typically what I use), similar to this ? I know I replaced them in the last 12-24 months and they are on solar panels. If I can find my tester I'll check them.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116525
10/02/24 07:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,112
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 27,112 |
I recently bought a slew of Duracells. 'Got the double-ended alligator clips on order though.
...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
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116531
10/02/24 08:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,404
BenBob
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,404 |
A little off topic, but not far. What type of connectors do you use connecting your batteries to the feeding mechanisms and to the solar charger that seems to work best for you? Have some that need to be replaced and want the easiest and best way to make good clean connections. Nothing burns me more than to go to the lease, get all my equipment ready and get there and then the feeder does not go off. Thanks for the help.
Tired, Wired, and Uninspired
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116546
10/02/24 08:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 15,270
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 15,270 |
Great info here! I think my local place carries the blue tops (and that's typically what I use), similar to this ? I know I replaced them in the last 12-24 months and they are on solar panels. If I can find my tester I'll check them. That's it.
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: BenBob]
#9116560
10/02/24 09:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,101
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 7,101 |
A little off topic, but not far. What type of connectors do you use connecting your batteries to the feeding mechanisms and to the solar charger that seems to work best for you? Have some that need to be replaced and want the easiest and best way to make good clean connections. Nothing burns me more than to go to the lease, get all my equipment ready and get there and then the feeder does not go off. Thanks for the help. This: TICONN 100 Pcs Nylon Spade Quick Disconnect Connectors Kit, Electrical Insulated Terminals, Male and Female Spade Wire Crimp Terminal Assortment Kit, on Amazon. I have the simple multi purpose strip/crimp tool. It stays at the lease and makes quick easy work. I had to replace a motor, cut wires, stripped ends, slipped these on and made it plug and go.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: freerange]
#9116562
10/02/24 09:42 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,988
Texan Til I Die
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,988 |
^^^I've been putting off testing like this. Thanks for the info. Now I gotta find a voltmeter with alligator clips. That will save me some cussin'. You can buy the leads with clips separate on line. Without clips it’s easy to be pushing on the connectors while avoiding the test corn and push them off or push the connectors off(that’ll add to any issue). Yep Amazon has both the leads with alligator clip ends and it also has the alligator clips that just slip over the needle tips on your volt meter. Either will work.
Silver spurs and gold tequila keep me hanging on. Pretty girls and old cantinas give me shelter from the storm.
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: Texan Til I Die]
#9116577
10/02/24 10:20 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,521
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,521 |
^^^I've been putting off testing like this. Thanks for the info. Now I gotta find a voltmeter with alligator clips. That will save me some cussin'. You can buy the leads with clips separate on line. Without clips it’s easy to be pushing on the connectors while avoiding the test corn and push them off or push the connectors off(that’ll add to any issue). Yep Amazon has both the leads with alligator clip ends and it also has the alligator clips that just slip over the needle tips on your volt meter. Either will work. I did not have good luck with the slip ons.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9116726
10/03/24 09:05 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,330
Ol Thumper
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,330 |
I use the blue topped batteries but I also keep an actual battery tester in my toolbox that can load test them. It’s a cheap tool to keep around that can find a problem before it actually becomes a problem but they should last several years before needing replaced. On the connectors I use one of these style plugs cutting it in the middle and using the standard slip on battery connectors and crimp the poo poo out of them to the actual battery and use the other end wired to the feeder itself. I’ve used this method for well over a decade and not had a single issue,
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9117053
10/03/24 10:12 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,489
Stompy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,489 |
I use to get 4 years out of most of my rechargeable 12 volts on solar panel. Now I'm lucky to get two. Lots of junk batteries out there.
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: Stompy]
#9117081
10/03/24 11:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,605
Marc K
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,605 |
I use to get 4 years out of most of my rechargeable 12 volts on solar panel. Now I'm lucky to get two. Lots of junk batteries out there. Lots of old stock batteries being sold new. These small sealed AGM/Gel batteries should read 12.8v t0 13.0v with no load. 12.1v is about 50% charge. The voltage drop under load depends on the load. All of these types of batteries begin to grow sulfate crystals on their plates as they discharge below about 80%. They get cleaned off when the battery reaches full charge. Deeper discharge makes the crystals grow faster and if they sit too long at low charge, the sulfation goes from soft to rock hard like plaque which won't come off. The sulfation acts like an insulator and won't let the battery absorb a full charge, no matter how long you charge it. Marc
A Democracy is when two wolves and a lamb vote on the dinner menu. That is why this country was specifically not designed as a Democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic.
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9117124
10/04/24 01:00 AM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,521
freerange
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 9,521 |
Mark, sounds like you know your stuff. Thanks for the info-keep it coming as needed. Do you are anyone know what causes batteries to corrode? Specifically talking about 6V with high amp hour on cell cams. Used to not have problem till recently. What changed was went to solar. It’s almost always on the negative. It corrodes so bad it eats the metal on the solar alligator clip as well as eats the terminal coming outa battery so it breaks off. It also causes the connector to “fuse” to the terminal. Started using special acid stuff designed to clean them and then coating with a preventative spray for that purpose. Still getting corrosion.
At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: freerange]
#9117259
10/04/24 12:15 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 15,270
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 15,270 |
Mark, sounds like you know your stuff. Thanks for the info-keep it coming as needed. Do you are anyone know what causes batteries to corrode? Specifically talking about 6V with high amp hour on cell cams. Used to not have problem till recently. What changed was went to solar. It’s almost always on the negative. It corrodes so bad it eats the metal on the solar alligator clip as well as eats the terminal coming outa battery so it breaks off. It also causes the connector to “fuse” to the terminal. Started using special acid stuff designed to clean them and then coating with a preventative spray for that purpose. Still getting corrosion. Lithium grease can be your friend.
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: freerange]
#9118763
10/07/24 09:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,409
QuitShootinYoungBucks
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,409 |
Mark, sounds like you know your stuff. Thanks for the info-keep it coming as needed. Do you are anyone know what causes batteries to corrode? Specifically talking about 6V with high amp hour on cell cams. Used to not have problem till recently. What changed was went to solar. It’s almost always on the negative. It corrodes so bad it eats the metal on the solar alligator clip as well as eats the terminal coming outa battery so it breaks off. It also causes the connector to “fuse” to the terminal. Started using special acid stuff designed to clean them and then coating with a preventative spray for that purpose. Still getting corrosion. The neg cable/terminal on one of mine (12v) was badly corroded yesterday when I swapped the battery.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#9119315
10/08/24 10:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,145
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62,145 |
I switched to lithium, caught a sale. we shall see
Bottom line, never trust a man whose uncle was eaten by cannibals.-Sen Joni Ernst
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Re: Feeder batteries
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#9119510
10/09/24 11:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,043
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,043 |
I switched to lithium, caught a sale. we shall see How are you controlling the charging during freezing temps?
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