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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,955 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,955 Likes: 3 |
Thought I had a bright idea to run my feeder with a DeWalt 20v Lithium cordless tool battery. I mocked it up at home with a 20v to 12v step-down transformer. Checked the voltage daily & realized once the battery voltage dropped to 15v (within 3 days) it cut itself completely off. I really wanted this to work.
Got any idea why?
By the way, in case you missed it, Jeremiah was a bullfrog.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,541 Likes: 24
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,541 Likes: 24 |
That's what Li batteries do. They hold a fairly steady voltage until the power gets down to a certain level and then they just quit. My tools are all MIlwaukee. Each battery has 4 lights to show the power level. When they get down to 2 lights, it's getting close and I can expect the tool to just quit at any time.
A solar charger and a 12v deep cycle battery would probably be better for your use. Solar is getting much cheaper. You could get one to keep your battery topped up for under $100.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,623 Likes: 52
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,623 Likes: 52 |
Get a good 12 volt and a solar panel. I have batteries last 3 years.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,955 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,955 Likes: 3 |
That's what Li batteries do. It just doesn't make sense to me. I watch a lot of YT videos of homesteaders and farmers. They use cordless chain saw, circular saws, drills, rotary hammer drills, etc. How can those amperage hungry tools run on a battery but won't support a 12v dc feeder motor for two 4 sec bursts twice daily? That is what baffles me.
By the way, in case you missed it, Jeremiah was a bullfrog.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,098 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,098 Likes: 4 |
I run SpinCast brand feeders with academy ( monarch? ) rechargeable batteries.
55 gal barrel feeders, ill swap batteries when filling. Just to be safe….
Dave
�The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.� Lou Holtz
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,623 Likes: 52
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,623 Likes: 52 |
The solar panels I buy are about 40 bucks
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,955 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,955 Likes: 3 |
By the way, in case you missed it, Jeremiah was a bullfrog.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,541 Likes: 24
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,541 Likes: 24 |
That's what Li batteries do. It just doesn't make sense to me. I watch a lot of YT videos of homesteaders and farmers. They use cordless chain saw, circular saws, drills, rotary hammer drills, etc. How can those amperage hungry tools run on a battery but won't support a 12v dc feeder motor for two 4 sec bursts twice daily? That is what baffles me. I'd guess that either the transformer or motor is draining the battery faster than it should. Maybe a voltage leak somewhere? Put an ammeter on it to see if it's pulling power when it's off.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,623 Likes: 52
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,623 Likes: 52 |
I have a bunch of those batteries, they don’t hold a charge very long.
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