TEXASBOARS.COM

Kerry Vincent

I just ordered the new 1500L with weatherproof dimmer switches. Can't wait to get it.

Can anyone give me the short scoop on (or a link to) the best way -- and what's required -- to connect a trolling motor battery? Any advice from the field on tripods would be appreciated, as well.

Thanks,

Kerry

TORO · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:22 am Post subject:

Tripods- standard camera tripod works fine. Make sure it'll reach at least 6' in heigth, any lower and it will tend to spook the pigs.

Trolling motor batteries- there's a myriad of designs out there, but if you're talking ones with the threaded posts (like a standard marine battery) and want to use ring terminals, pick up 1 each 3/8" ring terminal and 1 each 5/16" ring terminal (got mine from NAPA). Buy the ones with heat shrink tubing insulation that cost around $3-4 for a blister pack of two rings each.

Make sure to solder the wire ends before crimping them into the ring terminals and then heat shrink the tubing to make a weather proof seal.

Two wing nuts of the correct size and thread pitch and you're good to go.
_________________
2012 Hog Totals=70
2013 Hog Totals=31
Fences fixed=1.9 miles
ATV Miles=298

FrankT · Texasboars Legends Club Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 1754

your option to the battery is a rechargeable battery pack for jumping cars off, then all you need is a cig lighter plug. Most are 20-30amp max if that will work.

Kerry Vincent · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:04 pm Post subject:

Frank, I saw your setup in another thread and it looks like the direction I may go. Does yours have a AC/wall charger built in?

FrankT · Texasboars Legends Club Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Posts: 1754

Kerry, I found this little one at Walmart a long time ago and they seem to all have a transformer that plugs in the wall and then plugs into the back of the unit to be charged. I left mine out 3 weeks, used very little, 30 min or so. I was worried it would drain down so when I needed it it would be dead. I brought it home to charge and it took 5 min to hit peak charge, so they do not lose their charge. This 300AMP load one lasts 6 hrs for a single classic light and it is an old unit 3-4 yrs old at least.

Now when buying one look for 500AMP or more and try not to get one with a compressor and addons. This one has a battery condition light(most have a meter), the jumpers and a cig plug(mine will take a 20 amp, others a 30amp), some have lights, flashers, air and such, all that does is add weight, so simplier is better.

400amp
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-jump-start-and-power-supply-38391.html

see the one pictured, then scroll down a bit and there will be a horizontal view of many different ones.
http://www.amazon.com/Peak-PKC0AZ-450-Jump-Starter/dp/B002YLRN30

I just look for the simplest for the best price. Your AMP need will be larger than mine depending on # of LEDS running, mine has 3.