Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat THE BUGSLUGGER HAS ARRIVED

ups delivered my bugsluggers today i bought 2 cause they were so darn cheap. i bought the 12 volt model
i will be using a solar setup with a 12v battery. i have one panel and i need one more plus the controller/charger. i will be updating this thread
when i start installing at my pond next week. here are some pics of the bug slugger.its a pretty nice setup for only 30.00.

Is it light enough to hang on a long branch or cane pole?
How long is the cord?
This one uses the 12V automotive bulbs, right? I think the LED replacements for the filament-type 1157 bulbs will be much brighter.
They aren't cheap, though, compared to the traditional bulb.

i just weighted it and its 1 Lb 5oz i think the cord is 12 foot. yes it uses the 1157 bulbs i was thinking of trying the led bulbs also it would be less current draw. i was going to try to retrofit it
with a floursent bulb but i think i will try the leds first.

Please give us as many pictures and details as possible. I have one of these I got about three weeks ago that I have sitting in my shop waiting to be installed when my dock is done.

I will let you mount yours first so that I don't make the same mistakes.

I just bought one. I'm interested in the solar idea, long term. For fishing now, with a 12 foot cord and that light of weight, I can use a marine battery, and a cane pole held to the pier with a couple of bent over nails to secure the pole. A 4x4 block or a piece of landscape timber should give me the right angle. kewl!

I'll figure out how to get some use out of duct tape and bailing twine, too.

Really?? Only 30 bucks?

Is this the same one you got, NEDOC?

wickedinhere,

Looking forward to your results with solar. It would be interesting to know how much operating time you can get per 24 hours out of the unit. What size(watts) are the two solar panels?

Thanks for posting your results.

Is this unit set up or can it be to just run at night? Can't wait for more info once you set it up.

Bruce - I got mine for 39.95. I should have it on my dock as soon as I fill the pond up.

Although I may run electricity to my dock now and buy and electrical unit and put this on the other side of the pond.

I will let you know how it works. This would be PERFECT for your perch pond.


PS That is exactly the unit I purchased.

Also - Bruce, I may not use mine at all and sell it to you if you are interested. I was kind of interested in tinkering with some of the solar/timer units, but we could do that at your place also.

i will be using 2- 15 watt solar panels and i will be using a programable controller/charger. i am gonna be using 2 inch pipe concreted in the gound
and at the top i will use a 90 degree fitting with about 10 foot of pipe to hang over the pond. that way if i need to work on the bug slugger i will be able to swing the pipe back to me and not have to work out of a boat.the bugslugger draws about 6 amps
but i hope to lower that using some led bulbs that i bought off of ebay. the 2 panels together will put out 2 amps at peak times so i am hoping to get 4-5 hours of run time with the led bulbs. i am gonna start this project monday so i will be updating asap with pictures.

here is the bulb i will be using.

Way to go wicked! I love experiments! Keep us updated!

Wicked - Thanks for the updates! Everytime I read this thread I am like a kid in candy store.

i just order my other panel and controller so the rest of my parts are on the way. i will go to lowes tomorrow and get the pipe and other pieces i need to get started.

Doesn't some types of light attract bugs better than others ?

i think so, but i live out in the sticks and every porch light and security light i have attracts so many bugs its not even funny.

I'm really curious how this unit works for you guys. I built a couple of units like this myself two years ago. Did some experimenting and found that if I wanted to consistently knock bugs into the water I had to use a 3000 rpm motor I think. In order to get a diameter large enough to hit many bugs it ended up being about 1/10 or 1/8 HP (>75 watts) and 18 inch diameter. In order to get enough light I ended up with two of the circular flourescent bulbs that are probably about 30 watts combined. I've seen this stock unit before and wondered if it has the size and power to really collect some food and if so I can't believe it would run long on batteries. The ones I built cost about $40-$50 for parts and a couple hours time and they knock bugs into the water by the thousands.

bz, have you posted a photo of your unit yet?

bz

I would like to see your design as well. I am in the process of making a fan based one with 3000 RPM 12 volt DC DC fan and 23 watt 12 volt compact florescent light bulb.

Frank

I used the bug light advertised in Pond Boss for years and you won't believe the # of bugs it will knock into your pond. The only problem I had was that at time there were so many bugs and given just a little moisture it would clog the fan and I would have to clean out before it would start the fan again. The bream loved it and would stay all night. I was lucky enough to have electricity close to pond so that was not an issue for me. Just wanted to share my experience.

i hope i have the same luck as you have

i got the panel rack built this morning and of course its starting to rain again. here is a pick of the rack and one panel.

I do have some pictures I took and emailed to a few guys a year ago or so. I think someone might have posted them. I can send them again. I thin I also have some plans. Got graduations and father's day this weekend so I won't get to it until next week. Hope all you dads can do some fishin' on father's day.

i got my led lights today but the output was only half that of regular bulbs so i will just be using
the regular bulbs. when it stops raining and dries up a bit i will get started on the install.

wicked

what is this thing you call rain? Sorry to hear the LED did not work out.

BZ I would like to see a picture of your light


Frank