Budster, FYI,I am in the same boat you are. Though I want a TH feeder, but I am way over budget on this project so far, and have more in my pond vision to go. So as I look around, and read all I can, I see one of the down falls of the "cheap" directional feeders is lack of throwing distance for short timer bursts. I believe I have this figured out. Yesterday I aquired parts for testing @Chinamart. I paralled 2- 6 volt batteries and there was a significant difference on the low end to bringing it up to full speed, for the short bursts. That being said it is only one of a few issues I must weigh cost benefit. So far though, I have built my own diffused aereation system for $300 (weighted line, rebuilt oiless air pump, 2- 9" diffusers and a NEMA box)and it has ran for the past 4 months flawlessly, (I need to work on a slight db reduction though) but I should have found this site sooner in my endevor last year to listen to the many valuable opinions and advice that could have saved me the current issues that I do have. Their input is great!
Mike
