Making a varmint *******?

[Jethro]

I have been thinking about the American Hunter Varmit Zapper, they are supposed to carry them at wal mart for $20. It is a 6v though instead of 12 v like my feeder. But a fella could get a 4-D cell battery holder from Radio Shack for a few bucks and have a 6 volt power source that is independant from the timer battery. I need it for squirrels, not coons. I'm thinkin if it just ran a few weeks my problem would be solved.

In fact, what I really want to do is leave it be for the first few weeks and then pop the batteries in one day while I am on the stand. Might as well get som entertainment out of the deal as well.

[jerp]

[QUOTE=Jethro;2727696]I have been thinking about the American Hunter Varmit Zapper, they are supposed to carry them at wal mart for $20.QUOTE]

It looks like they are designed specifically for American Hunter feeders. I wonder what it would involve to retrofit it for other brands. How does that unit work, is the hot wire connected directly to the spin plate? It looks like it runs off the same battery as the feeder, - even with a solar panel do you reckon the zapper would draw down the battery too much?

[DorothyNotKeegan]

The varmint zapper on the American Hunter will straight shock the crap out of you if you aren't ready for it. A buddy of mine, he's a well known TBH'er, got shocked by one this morning. They're relatively cheap too!

[Buff]

I was googling around yesterday and found a pet ******* made by HAVAHART that works on two D-cell batteries.

Havahart® Battery-Operated Electric Fence Charger
$64.66

http://www.fishock.com/store/electric-fence-charger/ss-2lgx

Battery operated, this electric fence charger is the energy source for Havahart® electric fence kits.


The Havahart® battery-operated electric fence charger for small animals is the ideal energy source for your fence. Used with Havahart® electric fence kits, this charger presents the ideal solution to keeping unwanted critters out of your yard. It helps prevent damage from animal mischief.

Powered by two D-cell batteries (not included), this electric fence charger comes with a mounting stake for easy installation. It has intermittent DC output and works up to one mile under ideal conditions . This charger has a one year limited warranty.

Output voltage: 7.5KV +/- 20% open circuit voltage

I have been using that one for years.... they work great

[Buff]

so i wonder how it work for a crank up feeder as far as a ground wire and rod and cranking it up and down

I hook the ground wire to the feeder with a sheet metal screw

[tbgascorer]

[quote=jerp;2727857]

I have been thinking about the American Hunter Varmit Zapper, they are supposed to carry them at wal mart for $20.QUOTE]

It looks like they are designed specifically for American Hunter feeders. I wonder what it would involve to retrofit it for other brands. How does that unit work, is the hot wire connected directly to the spin plate? It looks like it runs off the same battery as the feeder, - even with a solar panel do you reckon the zapper would draw down the battery too much?

It sits in-line between the 6volt battery (same as feeder runs on) and the wires surrounding the spin plate. I would think you could cut the connectors off and rig it somehow. It is a capacitor so it discharges on touch and then has to ramp back up. But it will knock the fire out of you. I think the instructions say 1 month battery time without solar? Of course it depends on how often and how long you feed, as well as how many times the zapper gets tripped.

[Jethro]

My feeder runs on a 12v battery, not a 6v. I would need a separate power supply, or a circut to reduce the voltage from 12 to 6. Four D cell batteries in series will provide 6 volts, or I could just add a 6v battery in my box. Hot and ground wire around the outside is no problem.

[ranchdog]

I have been using that one for years.... they work great

Buff how long does the D cell batteries last ?

[Double L]

We built some *******s using the American Hunter Varmint Buster Zappers.
We had to isolate them from our feeder motor battery as they were affecting
the function of the timers. We ended up building a separate box with the zapper,
battery and solar panel all in one. I made insulators out of PVC and mounted them to the the barrel, then ran the hot wire aroung the feeder plate.
Posted from my Iphone & connectivity is limited.

[texaset]

Which model / Brand did you get??

Zareba 6-Volt Solar Operated Fencer, 3 Miles . Just go to the homee page and look it up . It mounts on to of a T post which makes a good ground . Insulaters wire T post batery and charger , have maybe 150 in it . Thats not bad for the peice of mind to know its taking care of your feeder 24-7

[texaset]

Would love to see it in action.

The coons were tearing my stuff up every night . My feeder is set up down by a river . Batery hanging out , timer pulled losse . I put the charger on and set the TC up . Waited about 3 days to go back . First night there were 4 coons under the feeder , 3 on the ground and one climbing a leg . Next picture they were all gone after that you get a few picture of coons on the ground and every now and then one on a leg . Nothings been tor up since then though

[timbobowhunter]

I want to try the somesort of ******* this year Should make for some interesting cam pictures.

[tx07]

The varmint ******* thread has got the D.I.Y. wheels in my head turning. I like the idea (in theory) of doing away with the varmint cage for maximum corn chunkage. The smallest solar fence charger I’ve seen for sale is a 3 mile which would certainly knock the whiz out of a coon but it seems like overkill . Is there a solar fence charger - maybe used for small gardens - with less oomph and would be cheaper? Also would installing one be as simple as running a few passes of wire to block the spinner (on insulators) and pounding in a ground stake? Anything I’m missing?

How about this and a solar panel from academy ?

http://www.horse.com/item/havahart-nuisance-animal-energizer/BXW12/?srccode=MRHSGOOG&mr:trackingCode=B96AA06B-E581-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

OR

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=17282&cmpid=06csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&CAWELAID=525369791

Wow i found a few

http://www.google.com/products?q=battery+power+electric+fence&hl=en&scoring=p&show=dd&sa=N&lnk=next&start=30

[ranchdog]

Ok, I went with a fence charger I found at Tractor Supply for $89. The reviews were really good so I spent a bit more and hoping for quality. It works with D cells, 6 Volt, &12 volt. You simply hook up the wires on the bottom of it. It is fairly compact.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/fencing/electric-fencing/electric-fence-controllers/electric-fence-dc-controllers-batteries/zareba-dc-operated-fencer-controller-10-mile-coverage-3616290

Here is the manufacture's site http://www.zarebasystems.com/product...ls.aspx?id=247

I will get it working and update the thread. Will probably be a few weeks before I get it installed.

I turned it on and it does make a steady clicking noise so not sure if the deer get used to that or what. I guess they would but I can hear it. So that might be something to take into account when shopping for one.

[Smart]

Members of Harbor Freight's Inside Track Club can get the HF solar electric fence controller above for $49 this month....down from $59