Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations electrofishing equipment

We build a new boat last year and it is nice but we need a second boat. I had it build this winter, it did not work when tested with our old smith-root system and it started smoking. Long story short the genrator is shot. rebuild kit is $3,200 plus estimated labor from Auburn UNiv of $400. It stinks I'm out $1,000 for repairs last year that caused current problem Auburn cost of about $200 to break it down. I can get a new S-R genrator at so called discount for $3,700, so that is a no branier to do that instead of repairs.


My question....does anyone out ther know where I could find an used S-R generator for 2.5 GPP? If not I might try to sell my 2.5 GPP pluse box, any takers? Any use for parts off 2.5 gen?
The 2.5 GPP system is $8,500 new.

Any other ideas? It stinks I really need a second boat and made this little 12 ft. to go with our center console 18 ft and now faced once again with major $. Auburn can build transformers to convert norm generator into usable source for S-R pulse baox but that will weigh about 100 lbs and cost abotu $1,00 also.

Wonder why guys who shock lakes charge so much? Now you know.

Boy, Greg - I don't have any advice for you. I don't have any S-R boats, so I am not familiar with their wiring. What is so "special" about their generators that Auburn would have to be a "second control unit" into the sytem? I assume the generator must be doing something to transform the electrcity? All of our other electrofishing systems (e.g., Coffelt) can interchangeably use different brands of generators, as long as it is the appropriate single-phase or three-phase system.

Heck, you probably don't have time to be responding to questions.

Dave S-R pretty much has a monoploy on the market. Their systems use generators that are specifically wound to produce what they need for these control boxes. I do not understand diff, simply know you can not use their generator to run a normal household applicaiton or vice-versa. Also they (and Auburn) are the only folks that can work it so a royal pain. This is why I might just go with Univ-Wisc box so local guy can work on generator if I have a problem.

ANyone else? desperate here b/c i need this other boat asap.

Greg, just a couple of questions: the S-R generator puts out AC or DC? What is it's prime mover?, or is the whole thing connected to batteries. The 2.5 GPP is the model # of the shocker? What is it's electrical input requirements? Give me the manufacturer and exact model; I can look into it.

I got it. S-R is Smith-Root. I was wondering why a fish shocker would be using a Switched-Reluctance generator. So it is a Honda generator. I would think that most reputable generator folks could rewind if the windings can be counted and the size of the wire matched up. it should really be irrelevant to them what it does, though most will want to know the output voltage to test it. Does the instructions have any specs. on the generator?

BM, you seem to more than I do. Look here http://www.smith-root.com/products/electrofishers/gpp/
Let me know if you know how i can get any of it to work without $3,700 and I will owe you some forage fish.

OK, Greg, I got a pdf of the manual. You may have to crank up the generator and make a few checks. Just dont do it in the bath tub.
Kidding. If you have a VOM, digital or otherwise. You can get one for a few bucks to take some resistance(ohms) readings. I will look at it tonight.
When you say the generator burned up. As in smoked when running? Engine died, or what?

burned up as in Auburn said it fried the wirings, and needs new rotor and stator. It ran for about 15 mins then started smoking. I have a OHM meter and ran the test in the manual to determine it was not putting out accurate amount of volts then took it to the guy who supposedly fixed it last year. When he ran it it started smoking. He claims he did nothing wrong of course Auburn claims he wired one of the wirings wrong and did not hookup fan properly. No reason to fight about it now, just gotta suck it up and move on, but in what direction, that is my question.

Greg, 1st I have to wonder why the guy had to fix it last year. Those Honda generators should be rock solid. It makes me think that the controller probably has a problem in it. For the price, one would think that there is some overload/short circuit protection in the controller. Honestly, the manual is very good(surprisingly) in regards to troubleshooting the generator. Not so much the control box, though. I would think that Atlanta has a bunch of Honda generator repair shops. With the info in the manual I downloaded they should easily be able to isolate and fix or swap out the generator. I would send the controller off to S-R for checkout. Alternatively, send it all to them. Are they really outrageous? Even more than Auburn? Is this a university electrical/mechanical class shop? If so, why so much cost?
If you run into a dead end, it really does look simple to check out, BUT you are still slaved to the manufacturer for parts. Let me know if I can be of help.
Does the generator smoke when not connected to the controller? Is the generator started thru the controller, or manually, or with external battery and key?

bM, I think you are missing some info here. Auburn is now working on it, not the one in the past. Last year it started making alot of noise. He added new brushes, etc. This is not a normal Honda generator. I have tried taking it to them they are clueless on what this is. It is compleletly diff than normal excpet the basic motor portion. The pulse box is working just fine. the cost for shipping alone is about $200 both ways , so I tried Auburn at this point i only owe them time in breaking it down. It is their engineers working on it.

If you want a project let me know and we can talk.