Just for your viewers info wire a fuse at the positive post of the battery to protect the equipment from starting a fire if a short should happen. Wires get rubbed, critters chew on them etc. motors short out, panels short out, even batteries short out. Use a fuse. Get a pair of female insulated crimp on spade connectors to fit your wire size and cut the positive wire about 2 inches from the positive battery post and crimp on the pair of female insulated spade connectors and then slide each one onto the leg of the properly sized ATO fuse. Attach all the positive wires going to the battery to a fuse then attach only the fuses to the battery, every thing is now safely fused. Takes no time to install. Easy Peazy!. Safety First! Great video!
@TheHandyHunter
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tips Bruce!
@SouthWestIron
6 жыл бұрын
Great stuff as always. Anything to make feeding and maintenance easier is a good thing. I've got a panel charging a hog feeder light of mine and its been going strong for a couple years. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
@TheHandyHunter
6 жыл бұрын
SouthWestIron Good to know! Did you build the panel or was it a store bought unit? Is it charging a 12 volt battery the size of the one I show in this video? Thanks for any info you can share! Thanks for watching!
@SouthWestIron
6 жыл бұрын
Its a panel I picked up at Harbor Freight or online I think. Can't remember I think its also a 5 or 7 volt. That particular feeder is out in a pasture. I have a video on it. The feeder itself was a built by me and my sons.
@TheHandyHunter
6 жыл бұрын
SouthWestIron great! I will check out the video! Take care!
@alcoppa2682
2 жыл бұрын
You might want to do more research about the diode. Panels sometimes come with a diode. It has always been my impression that it was a bypass diode. If two panels are wired in series and one of the panels winds up in full sun with the other panel being in the shade then the panel that is in the shade and not contributing to power output is bypassed. Hence the tern bypass diode. If you want to prevent power from feeding back at night then you us a blocking diode to block the current flow. And I have heard of that referred to as a blocking diode. Two different terms for two different usages.
@TheHandyHunter
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info. I only use blocking diodes for backflow. Never used bypass diodes before but good to know!
@mattchilders3123
6 жыл бұрын
Great video Handy
@gaelewis6623
7 ай бұрын
Do u have a video of you hooking diode up to the wires on the solar panel?
@TheHandyHunter
7 ай бұрын
I don’t but its easy. Just splice it in on the positive (+) wire from the solar panel. Just make sure the little gray ring on the diode is pointing towards the battery. If you get it backwards you won’t have any juice from the solar panel so it’s easy to diagnose. Hope that helps!
@mc8305
Жыл бұрын
You’ve got some really good videos thanks for sharing man Awesome 👍🏻
@TheHandyHunter
Жыл бұрын
You’re welcome! Glad you find them helpful!
@TexasBowHunter
6 жыл бұрын
Awesome video brother. I might be trying that out this season, if everything works out.
@TheHandyHunter
6 жыл бұрын
Texas BowHunter sounds good buddy! Let me know if I can help in any way! Take care!
@jacksprat7087
4 жыл бұрын
“Mighty Max 10 Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel Charger for Deep Cycle Battery”. On eBay, $29. This is a full 10 watt panel and has the diode. Very rugged. I have used them for years. A $1 Buck converter rated for 2 amp and set for 6V output will work fine for a feeder or a 6V game cam. For a feeder, a 5 watt panel will work fine. A problem with using a solar panel is they must be In full sun. No shade.
@TheHandyHunter
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info! Just know that poly panels don’t work in shade but amorphous panels generate energy even in full shade. I only use amorphous panels because of versatility.
@jacksprat7087
4 жыл бұрын
Yeah but amorphous panels only run at around 7% efficiency while poly or mono are in the 17-18% range. It’s pretty easy to calculate. The earth receives 0.645 watt per sq inch at high noon on a clear day.
@TheHandyHunter
4 жыл бұрын
I’d have no problem, as most people would, using poly panels if I knew that my feeder would always be in full sun but sometimes I move them to complete canopy shade in the swamp. A 7-watt amorphous panel is more than sufficient to maintain these small batteries in both conditions. I’ve run these setups for many years now and only have to change out the battery about every 4 years...which is to be expected.
@adandavilamusic
6 жыл бұрын
Great work
@davidlozano4382
5 жыл бұрын
Eres mi Idolo!!!! excelente info
@jacksprat7087
3 жыл бұрын
What are the dimensions of that solar panel? Poly or mono panels provide about 0.095 watts per sq inch or 9.5 watts for a 10”x10” panel. That looks like a thin film panel which are very inefficient. Plus you’re losing about 30% of the suns energy by not having the panel perpendicular to the sun at high noon. Check the voltage at your battery with the solar panel hooked up at noon. Then read the battery voltage with the solar disconnected. A 10 watt panel only provides a max of 1/2 amp. No way will that burn out a battery. One last thing. Use a 1 amp Schottky diode coming off the panel. They lose less power than a regular diode.
@TheHandyHunter
3 жыл бұрын
Not sure of exact dimensions but you can check the link on Amazon. It works great...keeps batteries at 100% for years so I never have to fret. It’s made my life much easy when it comes to maintenance.
@danielkirkland5077
5 жыл бұрын
Can you post also the diode you used in the installation
@danielkirkland5077
5 жыл бұрын
Or what kind of diode you used
@TheHandyHunter
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I just added a link in the description at the bottom of the parts list. Good luck and keep in touch!
@paulhouston1865
3 жыл бұрын
Since this video was made 3 years ago I would assume solar panels and accessories have made a giant leap forward. Do you have any updates to this video on parts or pieces that you would suggest when it comes to solar panels? Maybe I'm wrong but I would think that the feeder community of manufacturers would have figured out a better solar panel system than what they had to offer 3 years ago. I'm currently building three of these feeders modeled after yours now.
@TheHandyHunter
3 жыл бұрын
You might want to check on the current market to see what’s new but if I had to build another one today I would repeat this setup. I haven’t touched this feeder since the video! Once you set it up it’s maintenance free until your battery burns out which can be years. Good luck!
@paulhouston1865
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Ordered everything tonight. Not a cheap endeavor! But I'm sure it will all be worth it. Building all three to be hung. In bear country North Georgia. Thanks for all of your help! (Fyi, the Regulator you linked is out of stock. Think I'm gonna forego those for now anyway)
@TheHandyHunter
3 жыл бұрын
You can find them elsewhere if you want but I dont think you need them. I don’t feed in full sun so the voltage is not high and even if it did it only comes on for a few seconds which is fine. Good luck. I know it’s a lot of work and very expensive but you won’t regret it one bit once they’re all set up! You can then get back to hunting!
@TheHandyHunter
3 жыл бұрын
What part of north georgia? I use to spend time in Clayton for a little vacation.
@paulhouston1865
7 ай бұрын
Canton GA!@@TheHandyHunter
@alaskamike3577
5 жыл бұрын
Great video brother. I am in the process of building your feeder design on skiis or skids. Best dam idea for a movable feeder I have seen yet. This is also great stuff here. I did not know about the dark energy going in reverse but thanks to you I do now. I believe once I get these set up and working, my feeder feeder problems will be over. I have nothing but trouble with the 6 volt feeders. Batteries going dead, corn husk's hanging the spin plate up and hard to move on 3 legs. Not any more thanks to you. Excellent video series.
@TheHandyHunter
5 жыл бұрын
You are welcome! I hear ya and feel your pain. Feeders can be frustrating and always seem to break when you need them the most. You can kiss your feeder issues goodbye with this setup...12v, solar, skids. Haven’t touch mine in years...except to put corn in them and to change out a worn out battery after 3 or 4 years. I’m about to build two more with a new design. One of my 3 legged feeders crashed to the ground so I need to upgrade with a new mobile feeder. Good luck!.
@BigGobblerTurkeyCall
5 жыл бұрын
Great info. Enjoy watching your videos. Just wondering about the diode, why not install one on game cams that use solar. Have not seen you use any in your videos with solar cameras.
@TheHandyHunter
5 жыл бұрын
Hey brother, I do install a diode if I’m running a solar panel to an external battery first and then to a trail cam from the external battery. The reason I don’t run diodes if I’m running the solar directly into the camera is that the solar is not charging the batteries in the cam, it’s just providing the 12v for the cam to run on during the day. At dusk the cam switches to it’s own internal batteries which are separate from the solar so you don’t have to worry about dark energy. Does that help? In any case, you could always add a diode if you want...they are cheap and easy to install. Take care!
@douglasrenaud6459
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the information. Your legs on the feeder look to be 1 1/4” emt. Do the couplings hold up and how much feed can they hold. Thanks for any help.
@TheHandyHunter
5 жыл бұрын
You got it...1 1/4 emt is correct. They will hold a full barrel of corn once you get the legs evenly spread out. It’s a little wobbly but I’ve never had a problem. Did you see my sled feeder video? That’s what I’m converting all my feeders to eventually. It’s a pain moving three legged feeders around...lol. Good luck!
@douglasrenaud6459
5 жыл бұрын
The Handy Hunter thanks, I’m going to give this one a try. I did see your video on the sled feeder but the area I hunt has some hills and worried it might tip over. That is a great design to just be able to pull it.
@stephenhair5501
4 жыл бұрын
How can I charge my 6 volt system on my Moultrie deer feeder with a 12 volt solar panel??
@TheHandyHunter
4 жыл бұрын
You could install a 12volt reg between the solar panel and the battery. It’s not optimal and may shorten the life of the battery but may be worth trying. Hope that helps.
@barntt
4 жыл бұрын
12V to 6V DC-DC Converter Step Down Module Power Supply Voltage Regulator or use a 12V battery then a voltage regulator 12V to 6V.
@bryleejohnson4444
4 жыл бұрын
What was the length of the wiring that runs down the side of the barrel? Not sure if you spoke on that.
@TheHandyHunter
4 жыл бұрын
So sorry. My wire from the solar plug to the battery spades is exactly 72” long. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks and good luck!
@DustySmalls
3 жыл бұрын
Anyone else hear the quail?
@TheHandyHunter
3 жыл бұрын
Good ear my friend! I love that sound!
@davebrandon7694
5 жыл бұрын
I called RDK Products. They make the Strongway Solar Panel. The Rep insists that the panel does come with the diode. How can that be verified on the panel. It's buried in the junction box.
@TheHandyHunter
5 жыл бұрын
Nice work Dave and thanks for sharing! I always assumed it didn’t have one because I couldn’t physically see it on the wires or within the box. You can test whether it backflows by connecting it to a 12v battery (a small one if possible) and completely covering the panel to simulate nighttime. Make sure you test the battery level first and then recheck it again after a couple days. If it’s lower than when you started that means dark energy is sucking power from your battery. If it stays the same then you have a diode and are ready to roll. Let us know how it goes! These are awesome panels! I’ve had several in the field for many years!
@davebrandon7694
5 жыл бұрын
@@TheHandyHunter I have a raccoon problem. They the climb the legs of the Boss Buck feeder (with sharks teeth) to get to the varmint cage. There they rattle the cage and corn drops out. Have you ever considered adding an electric shock to the feeder legs or varmint cage? My American Hunter (now Boss Buck) feeder has an attachment that adds a shock around the spinner.
@mattwheaton7191
4 жыл бұрын
There is no harm adding a second Schottky Rectifiers Diode on the positive wire to the battery if you are not sure. As long as it's installed correctly it will work fine. Having the diode closer to the battery is easier to replace versus going up to the panel to do it. **IF your not sure you had a diode before adding one, if it were to fail, you would have to check both to confirm which one it was! I never found too many had them to start and added a better one than they cam with if they did!
@dennissamples8568
3 жыл бұрын
Can you use the same new battery pack that your trying on the solar game cam for the feeder??? And if so will the battery pack (Tenergy NiMH Battery Pack 12V 2000mAh High Capacity Rechargeable Battery ) and will it use a 2 watt or 7 watt on a feeder??
@TheHandyHunter
3 жыл бұрын
I don’t see why you couldn’t. I think it can deliver up to 2amps at once so it may be worth a try. I would definitely use a smaller solar panel...a 1.5 or 2watt. The downside is that they are as expensive as a normal size deer feeder battery. Hope that helps!
@dennissamples8568
3 жыл бұрын
@@TheHandyHunter Thanks I found a 12v motor that is nearly as small as the 6v motors I’m replacing. So I’m trying to use the same 6v feeder box with a 12v motor and solar. I’ll let you know what happens. Thanks for your videos I really enjoy them
@TheHandyHunter
3 жыл бұрын
Now I see why you want to try it! Hey, I just went out to the shop and attached a tenergy battery to a spare 12v feeder spinner. It spins it pretty good. It may lack a little torque but it will definitely sling some corn! Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
@nickblanton1127
6 жыл бұрын
Great info man. I tried the solar set up on my cameras and it works great. I may give this a try to.
@TheHandyHunter
6 жыл бұрын
ngblanton@aol.com that’s great to hear! If you try this feeder setup you won’t be disappointed! Thanks for watching!
@truebuldog
3 жыл бұрын
How do you get the corn all the way up there?
@TheHandyHunter
3 жыл бұрын
I usually stand on the front rack of my four wheeler or hunting cart...or tailgate on my truck. I dont have anymore 3 legged feeders...check out my latest builds as they have a nice step on them for filling.
@truebuldog
3 жыл бұрын
@@TheHandyHunter put a link to them I tried to find earlier but couldnt
@mattwheaton7191
4 жыл бұрын
** IF you hunt in Bear-Country, you might want to consider my version of this Deer Feeder to prevent damage by bears! It's featured in the COMMUNITY section of this channel. I'm happy to answer questions regarding this version!! Using Chain to hang from between 2 poles or trees, then Pulleys and a Hand Winch setup works perfect. ADDITIONAL PARTS LIST: Boss Buck 1.HB55 Hanging Bail, Black, 55-Gallon LINK: www.amazon.com/Boss-Buck-Hanging-Black-55-Gallon/dp/B00C7PF7PY/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Boss+Buck+Feeder+Lid&qid=1594690181&sr=8-2 EZ-Tree Hoist *Does not include Hand Winch! LINK: www.ebay.com/itm/Tree-hoist-EZ-WINCH-MOUNT-for-EZ-Feeder-Hanger-hand-crank-hog-deer-hunting-US/301528443688?hash=item46347eeb28:g:~R0AAOSwe-FU3kRL Leg Mounting Kit LINK: www.ebay.com/itm/Leg-Mounting-Kit-Bolt-on-Barrel-Stub-Leg-Brackets-Deer-Feeder-Parts/184196404139?hash=item2ae2f613ab:g:j0YAAOSwe-heXZuh 1,200# Hand Winch Steel Cable (65') Hand Gear Winch LINK: www.ebay.com/itm/1-200-LBS-Hand-Winch-Steel-Cable-Hand-Gear-Winch-ATV-Boat-Trailer-Heavy-Duty-NEW/223790076938?epid=1401056915&hash=item341aed940a:g:u1EAAOSwR4pd8BG- 3" Heavy Duty Pulleys LINK: www.amazon.com/National-Manufacturing-N220-020-Single-Pulley/dp/B000BD5DQM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=600%23+rated+3%22+pulley&qid=1594691566&sr=8-1 5/16" Quick Links LINK: www.amazon.com/AOWISH-Stainless-Carabiner-Connector-Keychain/dp/B07GH2QVNM/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=5%2F16+Quick+Links&qid=1594692268&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTFY3RFlFSDRRWTBSJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjQ3MDU2UEJUS1k3MzM2SEVSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1ODAwOTAyQTU4TUdSVzNOMDcwJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== 3/16" Chain ** Length would be determined by installation dimensions! Average would be 30-33'. You need to wrap around tree and secure. Poles might require less depending on distance apart.
@HarmonyHillHomestead1
4 жыл бұрын
What type feeder do you have ?
@TheHandyHunter
4 жыл бұрын
Well, the whole thing is pretty much custom. The 55 Gallon drum has a Boss Buck spinner and lid with a 7watt solar panel. I welded receiver couplers on the sides of the drum for the poles. If you don't want to custom build your own then you can buy whole feeder setups (just put it together). Check out our Amazon store if you want to browse all the parts for this build. Let me know if you need help. God Bless!
@HarmonyHillHomestead1
4 жыл бұрын
@@TheHandyHunterthank you! God bless you and yours as well!!! 💕 I can do everything but weld it. My husband can weld though. So maybe I can get his help. I like the fact it's so sturdy. I just accepted a new position and will be traveling a bit and need an auto feed for my small flock. Three sheep 2 goats. I feed 5 pounds a day. I was going to modify your idea and build a trough at the bottom with the funnel facing upwards, then cover the sides all the way down to about 1 foot above feed trough. That way when it spreads it will drop down to them. I will need to have one side open so I can get to the unit. Where do I purchase the spinner? I found the solar panel at Northern Tool just as you said😊
Пікірлер: 66