to buy or build 12v feeder

[youngbuc]

Ok, I have built a double feeder frame (6' off the ground, 36" wide and 8' long, it will hold 2-5 gal drums** will post in DIY section when complete) and I am in the market for two new spinners. I have used 6v American Hunter RD pro for the last 3 years and have had to replace something each year. I want a more powerful spinner that will get the feed away from the feeder and last more than 1 year. and I got fortunate and received 6 - 12 V batteries given to me.. thanks keddins... I am looking at a Wildgame Innovations TH-12VD which run around $65 at academy and throw in another $20 for solar panel... my question is can I make my own operational center (spinner/plate/box/motor.etc..) cheaper and more functional or go ahead and spend the money????

If anyone else has got a suggestion on feeders I am open.. I would like to keep panel and feeder under a $100....

Thanks

[macoop]

I realize that a person can build almost anything from scratch but sometimes it's worth spending the money on someone's good spinner unit. I got mine at West Texas Feeder in Odessa and I havent had one fail yet. Batteries last about 3 years now with a solar panel. Timers are top notch. You can look at your watch and tell when the feeder is going to go off. I bought an ALL Seasons in Boerne when I went through there a few weeks ago. It was identical but a little cheaper than West Texas Feeder. Depending on where you live you may be able to get a unit cheaper than what you think.

[scotth89]

I was going to build a few units, just to do it. After you add everything, it's not worth it. If you still want to do it let me know. I have about 9, 12v motors that I could get rid of pretty cheap.

If you could find the box that houses everything for pretty cheap you could come out ahead. It is hard to find anything for a decent price that would work as the housing unit. A .50 cal ammo box is about the cheapest thing I have found. If anyone has any ideas on a box let me know.

[macoop]

Forgot to mention that I've built a couple of corn feeders myself. I built them because I got tired of fixing all of the things that went wrong from a store bought feeder. The 2feeders that I now have hold about 2000# of corn and have the spinners and timers described above. I fill them about once a year and don't have to mess with fixing feeders and replacing parts or sending units in for warranty work. I don't like sitting in a blind wondering if my feeder is going to go off.

[ballisticbudda]

I was going to build a few units, just to do it. After you add everything, it's not worth it. If you still want to do it let me know. I have about 9, 12v motors that I could get rid of pretty cheap.

If you could find the box that houses everything for pretty cheap you could come out ahead. It is hard to find anything for a decent price that would work as the housing unit. A .50 cal ammo box is about the cheapest thing I have found. If anyone has any ideas on a box let me know.

The price for the 50 cal cans is very low and since they are made in America, waterproof, the 50 cal cans are the only thing I will use to house timers and batteries with solar panels.