Deer feeder batteries???

Complete Turf Care · Mar 26, 2016

Does anyone know if a deer feeder battery that will last all season?

I'm talking about 6 volt batteries. We have about 10 feeders on the lease and have not had much luck with batteries.

We tried the rechargeable type, and they will last about half the season, then need to be brought back in for charging, which takes about 24 hours to recharge.

We added a few solar panel chargers to the rechargeable batteries, but that didn't work well either. And it gets expensive.

This year, we bought the cheapest 6 volt batteries we could find, and they lasted about 6 weeks or so and had to be replaced.

We usually start our feeders in late September, and our season ends in late January, so it would be nice to have a battery last about 4 months. We try to throw about 1 to 1.5 lbs of corn a day, so each feeder could feed for about 200 days. Our feeders hold about 250 lbs.

EddieWalker · Mar 26, 2016

I put a solar cell on the side of my feeder and it keeps my battery charged for about two to three years, which is about when the battery will no longer hold a charge. I've replaced it 3 times in the last decade. Solar cell just keeps on charging them and has never been touched.

Complete Turf Care · Mar 26, 2016

EddieWalker said:
I put a solar cell on the side of my feeder and it keeps my battery charged for about two to three years, which is about when the battery will no longer hold a charge. I've replaced it 3 times in the last decade. Solar cell just keeps on charging them and has never been touched.

What battery are you using with this setup? We tried solar cells with the 6 volt rechargeable batteries and did not have much success. And, the raccoons seem to be more attracted to the solar cells.

joefromga · Mar 26, 2016

The battery isn't the issue, it's the solar panels you're using. The tiny ones about 6x6" don't provide the wattage to charge the batteries fully so you're in a negative charge all the time especially if you're in a less sunny area.

A larger panel will keep up. 5 watts would probably be plenty but those 1 watt won't recharge a 1.5 lb dump. That's a good bit.

Also sometimes in the lighting section of lowes/home depot they have those 6v sealed batteries for cheaper than bass pro or wherever.

C4Ranch · Mar 26, 2016

EddieWalker said:
I put a solar cell on the side of my feeder and it keeps my battery charged for about two to three years, which is about when the battery will no longer hold a charge. I've replaced it 3 times in the last decade. Solar cell just keeps on charging them and has never been touched.

This....

I just buy cheap rechargeable off eBay and my solar cells are from Academy.

C4Ranch · Mar 26, 2016

Also, make sure your motors are hooked up properly to the timer, it matters. My batteries didn't last long when I had them reversed. There is a red dot on one motor terminal to match the timer.

EddieWalker · Mar 26, 2016

Like the others, I just buy a regular cheap rechargeable battery from Academy. Nothing fancy. I did start out with a cheap solar cell for feeders that was pure junk. I think I paid $40 for the one that's lasted from Northern Tool. It has an aluminum frame around the outside of it and I just screwed it into the side of my feeder. It's worked great!!!!