Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Upgrading a Fish Feeder

Simple question:

Has anyone upgraded their fish feeder (added more power)?

Is anyone interested in the project? I think I am going to "upgrade" one or two of mine this winter.

I think tim Allen did that on a segment of "Tool Time". Something about being a Binford 5000 Feed Boss. I hear some of the food is still circling the earth.

Wasn't that the grill he sent into space

While orbital velocity is not what I am looking for, I am looking to throw the food further, in a broader pattern, and with more consistency. I think I can do it for less than a hundred bucks, but I was wondering if anyone here had tried before.

And if so, how did it go?

With a Texas Hunter fish feeder, you don't need to add any more power.

Son, son..........one always needs to add more power....

It throws the food from our dock to close to our dam. It hits the dam if the wind is blowing. And the wind never blows in Oklahoma!

I tried to catch food in a plastic garbage bag for a test that George requested to measure the amount of food thrown with a TH feeder. First time the fan blew the bag out of one hand. 2nd time the pellets tore right thru the bag. 3'rd time my hands felt like they were getting sandblasted by 1/4" ball bearings. There wasn't a 4th time.....

Highflyer - What approach are you going to use, more battery so that it is higher than 12 v.?, etc. Now you've got me curious.

Bing,
I was given two older feeders which are not as good as my TH feeder. I built one from the parts so far using the best parts and some upgrades to the controller, top motor and spinner plate but the food falls too close to the feeder. So, I modified the opening to the spinning plate (closed it off a lot) and that help, but it got me thinking about how to get a really good pattern. Now I think I can build a better thrower for my feeder and I wondered if anyone had tried to modify one yet. If not, I'll give it a go.

Scott,
These are the same feeders from the other post, I cut a triangle opening just over a half inch and that help a lot, but it is not perfect, so I will continue to improve what I was given.

Good luck, I think it will work. I think the Binford approach to putting more volts, or amps, or whatever will push the feed further and wider. It will be interesting to see an update.

Brian, give that baby the super-sonic, turbo boost because I'm out of town a few days and my babies need food (East AL).

highflyer,


I have never modded a fish feeder, but my little boys have developed a need for speed, and there a whole forum devoted to upgrading the power of the little power wheels battery powered cars. I have experience upgrading those little cars. I found that going from a 6 volt to 12 volt system, or from twelve to 18-24 volts does greatly increases the power of the cars, but also destroys stuff more quickly. I have burned up a lot of cheap motors.

That being said, i would bet that if you up the voltage, you will get your desired outcome, but might shorten the lifespan of the unit.

drp

Dustin, I am looking into better motors with higher RPM first. I found one that I believe will do the job! When it arrives and I am out of training, it is one of the first things to get installed! The real problem is the feed system and the fact that the paddle wheel seems a bit old fashion and less efficient. I believe in the end, I will have to make a better paddle wheel for the feeder and use better tubing to feed the paddle wheel. I am hoping to set it up for feed in the 400 through 600 size classes while maintaining high reliability.

But if a better motor will not due... there is always MORE POWER!!!!

Thanks for the note, I'll keep you guys posted after training.