<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe alkaline version is the most common of the 6-volt battery models on the market. If the alkaline name is confusing, these are basically disposable batteries that you discard when they run out of power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like any other product on the market, there are well-known battery brands and no-name brands. However, I find that the better-known battery brands tend to perform better than the no-name or lesser name brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, a few years ago, I came across an awesome deal at Costco on a three-pack of off-brand (as in not a name brand) 6 volt alkaline batteries and grabbed a pack for the upcoming season. The fact that the battery package was not dated should have been a red flag, but I was smitten by the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I arrived home, I used a tester to check the power level of each of the batteries. Two were at less than 10%, and one was at 50%. So I returned to Costco and exchanged them for a \u201cnew\u201d pack. When I tested the 2nd<\/sup> pack, one battery was 60%, one was 40%, and one was completely dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSomething else to be aware of with alkaline batteries is their \u201cshelf life.\u201d Most of the better brands of alkaline batteries (not just 6-volt models) have an estimated shelf life that is typically measured in years. The shelf life number starts when the battery is placed on the store shelf for sale. I find the shelf life measurement to be more of an exaggerated estimate versus accurate numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I would suggest sticking with the brand name alkaline batteries and try for ones that have been on the shelf in a store for the shortest amount of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Rechargeable 6 volt battery<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMuch like the name implies, this battery style is a 6-volt rechargeable model. These batteries can be recharged one of two ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wall charger<\/li> Solar charging panel<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhile rechargeable batteries tend to cost more than alkaline batteries, they benefit from a significantly longer life compared to the alkaline models, and they tend to be a stronger battery than alkaline models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you compare purchase costs to battery life, I find the rechargeable models a much better option cost-wise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The one obvious downside to rechargeable batteries is the fact that they have to be recharged. Typically, when using rechargeable 6-volt batteries, you have two options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Purchase more than one battery, and run swaps each time the battery power runs down.<\/li> Invest in a solar panel that will recharge the battery while it\u2019s in use on the feeder.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nI\u2019ve used both approaches and most definitely prefer the solar charging panel option. While the solar charging approach is more expensive, it\u2019s also an easier method as the battery stays charged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While rechargeable batteries have a longer lifespan than alkaline models, rechargeable models will only hold a charge for so long and will eventually die as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Number of feeder actions powered by the battery<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSome of the more expensive deer feeder models are equipped with more than one feature that requires power to operate. For example, some models also come with features like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A battery power meter<\/li> Integrated game camera<\/li> Shocking capability for pests<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe more of these features that require power equates to more energy being drained from the battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had a customer at my day job decide to purchase a top-of-the-line Moultrie feeder with a shocking varmint guard to keep the squirrels and raccoons from pulling feed from the feeder port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Given the technology that was running on the feeder, I suggested the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buy the Moultrie rechargeable 6-volt battery and matching Moultrie solar charging panel that the manufacturer specifically suggested for this feeder model.<\/li> Or, purchase a good quality rechargeable battery from a specialized store like Batteries Plus, and consider mating it to a solar panel charger.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nHe deferred on the Moultrie battery and solar panel that we had in store and indicated that he would purchase a battery separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six weeks later, he was back in the store wanting to return the feeder because it was a \u201cbattery hog\u201d and wouldn\u2019t run for more than two weeks without the battery dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we talked through the set-up and tried to troubleshoot the issue verbally, he shared that he was powering the unit with an alkaline 6 volt versus a good rechargeable unit. It turns out that the alkaline battery was the issue as the power drain on it was too much to power the feeder for more than two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He switched to the Moultrie branded battery and solar combo, and the issue was resolved. Just to clarify here, I\u2019m not advocating that the Moultrie or any other feeder brand of battery as the only solution. I find that Batteries Plus carries some excellent 6-volt rechargeable battery options as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Weather<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhile most people don\u2019t think of the weather as a factor in battery life, extreme heat or cold can and will reduce the life of the average battery (alkaline or rechargeable).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I find that cold seems to be more of a battery drain than heat, but I don\u2019t generally operate deer feeders during the summer months, so my experiences with feeder batteries and extreme heat are limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, I certainly have noticed a correlation between colder temperatures and lower battery life. The colder the temperatures, especially below the 25-degree mark, the faster my feeder batteries run down. When the nighttime (or daytime) temperatures get below 25 degrees, I\u2019ve noticed that feeder batteries seem to run down at least a week faster than they did during milder temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve got a college buddy who lives and hunts in northern Indiana, which has much colder temperatures than my home state of North Carolina. He\u2019s had such bad experiences with battery issues in the freezing temperatures that he switched all his feeders over to gravity feeders to eliminate the entire battery changing and dead battery issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>So how long does a 6 volt battery last in a deer feeder?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow that we\u2019ve gone over all the factors that may play a role in the battery lifespan of a 6-volt deer feeder battery let\u2019s try to answer the question: how long will a 6 volt battery last in a deer feeder?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I typically set my feeders up to run (dispense feed) twice a day for 8 seconds. With those parameters, I usually average the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alkaline 6 volt<\/strong> \u2013 A brand new alkaline 6-volt battery with a minimum 90% charge will usually last about three months before the battery has to be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRechargeable 6 volt<\/strong> \u2013 A good quality rechargeable 6-volt battery will usually last me 4 to 5 months before it has to either be replaced or recharged.<\/p>\n\n\n\nObviously, with so many variables that play a role in deer feeder battery life, your own battery life experiences may vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>FAQS<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHere are some other commonly asked questions that I see and hear regarding deer feeder batteries:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Will a deer feeder made to run on a 6-volt battery accept a 12-volt battery?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt may, but here are a few potential issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Size of the battery compartment \u2013 If the battery compartment in the feeder is specifically made for a 6-volt model and doesn\u2019t have any additional room, then the larger 12-volt model won\u2019t fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, running a 12-volt battery in place of a 6 volt model does not cause any issues. However, some feeder brands have a volt sensor that will take the feeder motor offline if it detects any voltage above 6 volts. So you\u2019ll have to place a voltage restrictor in between the battery and the terminal connections or just stick with a 6-volt battery in that situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What size battery for my deer feeder?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFrom a battery standpoint, deer feeders are not universal and do not all accept the same size battery. The battery size can vary from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AA-size<\/li> C size<\/li> 6 volt<\/li> 12 volt<\/li> Battery Packs \u2013 which are a specially made pack that is loaded with a specific battery size. For example, a C pack will be a battery carrier designed to carry 4 C size batteries.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nAlthough I try to keep all my feeders on the same battery size, I\u2019ve had situations where I ended up with feeders running different batteries. For example, at one point, I had to bring spare AA\u2019s, C batteries, and 6-volt batteries to one property I leased because I had a hodge-podge of feeder brands and styles operating on the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I would suggest reading the specific specifications of any deer feeder you are considering, as the specification should clearly identify the necessary battery size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How much does a 6-volt battery for a deer feeder weigh?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAlkaline 6-volt batteries generally weigh around 1.2 pounds, while rechargeable 6-volt battery models are usually a little bit heavier, weighing anywhere from 1.5 to 2 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I come across more questions about deer feeder batteries, I’ll update this page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When it comes to deer feeders, one of the more commonly asked questions that I see (and am asked at my day job) has to do with deer feeder batteries. When it comes to batteries, the most commonly asked question I see is: how long does a 6 volt battery last in a deer feeder?…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1049,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"single-nofeaturedimage.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=284"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=284"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deer-feeder.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}