Take 2 12v batteries and parallel them so you still have 12v. That will greatly increase run time. Also get a dimmer switch and wire into your power wires so you can turn it down . We are running a 70lb thrust amazon special on 2 12v batteries 6-7 hrs .
Are you guys using marine deep cell batteries? Also I see you went with 10 gauge wire, do you lose amperage with the thinner wire versus going with 6 gauge ???
I see a slight problem. A trolling motor is for intermittent use. You want an ice eater that you plug in, and it runs all winter long. That is called continuous duty. Brushed motors are not built for that kind of endurance. If it's brushless, it may work a bit longer, but the whole motor needs to be designed with 100% duty in mind. That's why commercial ice eaters are pricey.
salvor1 it pretty much intermittent use around here. We rarely get much more that a skim ice freeze. Bust open a hole by walking it or with a boat and this thing does a pretty good job keeping it open for the first few hours of the hunt.
NAGAZINA FIREWORKS well I appreciate that but it was just kind I’ve a one off thing I did to save money. If you really want to spend money on one a commercial option would be a better and safer bet!
Matthew Galloway the night adjustment is just a nut welded to the larger tubing with a bolt running through it allowing you to tighten down on the legs. I think they are about 24 inches.
+Carter Kahoe I just filled her slam full of silicone and let it dry for a few days. So far so good....It did well this season it will run solid for about 2 hours. We finally got some cool weather and it kept a big hole open in the ice. Hope yours works out!
I know this is from last year. I am looking to try and build one before we ice up here in Montana. About how large of a whole did it Keep open? What, if anything, would you do differently?
John Corley it kept a 20x40 hole open on our coldest day. If I had it to do over again I would find a way to slow it down it is running full told all the time so it burns up battery faster. Other than that I’m real pleased with it.
I picked up a minnkota trolling motor, really like your idea, just trying to see what my options were and are when it comes to building my own ice buster/eater. I'm seeing some with bucket like designs and some with out! That's why I ask. Thanks for the help!
Jacob Flocker if you let it run the entire time you can get 1-2 hours depending on battery strength. He is a friend of mine and I have used it several times myself. Best option for longevity is to have the battery with in reach of you and hook it up and let it run 5-10 mins and cut it off. It puts great motion on your decoy spread
I made the connection inside of the tube so it would be "weather/water proof" fill that with silicone and the 50' sticking out with gator clamps on the ends for the battery terminals.
Take 2 12v batteries and parallel them so you still have 12v. That will greatly increase run time. Also get a dimmer switch and wire into your power wires so you can turn it down . We are running a 70lb thrust amazon special on 2 12v batteries 6-7 hrs .
A. Ellenburg man thanks for the advice!
Are you guys using marine deep cell batteries? Also I see you went with 10 gauge wire, do you lose amperage with the thinner wire versus going with 6 gauge ???
I see a slight problem. A trolling motor is for intermittent use. You want an ice eater that you plug in, and it runs all winter long. That is called continuous duty.
Brushed motors are not built for that kind of endurance. If it's brushless, it may work a bit longer, but the whole motor needs to be designed with 100% duty in mind. That's why commercial ice eaters are pricey.
salvor1 it pretty much intermittent use around here. We rarely get much more that a skim ice freeze. Bust open a hole by walking it or with a boat and this thing does a pretty good job keeping it open for the first few hours of the hunt.
That is really slick!
Thanks!
I will buy one from you.
NAGAZINA FIREWORKS well I appreciate that but it was just kind I’ve a one off thing I did to save money. If you really want to spend money on one a commercial option would be a better and safer bet!
How did you do the height adjustments for the legs? Also how long did you make your legs?
Matthew Galloway the night adjustment is just a nut welded to the larger tubing with a bolt running through it allowing you to tighten down on the legs. I think they are about 24 inches.
Sorry for such a late reply I never got a notification.
I have this video and was thinking about making myself one of these. How did you make the hole where the wires lead into the motor water proof?
+Carter Kahoe I just filled her slam full of silicone and let it dry for a few days. So far so good....It did well this season it will run solid for about 2 hours. We finally got some cool weather and it kept a big hole open in the ice. Hope yours works out!
+jamaulden1009 thanks! I'll let you know
Awesome job , I will be making one for sure . Thanks
How did you mount the opposite side of the motor then the wire side in the pale ?
kratt309 welded up a bracket that hose clamped to the housing and bolted to the fin.
I know this is from last year. I am looking to try and build one before we ice up here in Montana. About how large of a whole did it
Keep open? What, if anything, would you do differently?
John Corley it kept a 20x40 hole open on our coldest day. If I had it to do over again I would find a way to slow it down it is running full told all the time so it burns up battery faster. Other than that I’m real pleased with it.
Legacy Waterfowl Thanks!!! I am starting one tomorrow.
John Corley outstanding let me know how it turns out!
I see how you mounted the motor with the pipe coming out but how did you mount the bottom of motor to bucket so it all pivots together
Joshua Mathews I welded up a bracket that had a pipe come out the the other side and the bracket held the bucket also.
what size 12v battery are you using? I plan on using a 12v deep cycle marine group 27 800 cranking amps 80 amp hours
Matt Fetters that should be plenty to get a few hours out of it. Honestly I’m not sure what size battery I have...
What does the bucket do? Is it really needed?
gllamas22 probably nothing but I feel like it may help direct the flow of water. Getting more ice bust for your buck.
I picked up a minnkota trolling motor, really like your idea, just trying to see what my options were and are when it comes to building my own ice buster/eater. I'm seeing some with bucket like designs and some with out! That's why I ask. Thanks for the help!
How long dose it usually last on one battery
Jacob Flocker if you let it run the entire time you can get 1-2 hours depending on battery strength. He is a friend of mine and I have used it several times myself. Best option for longevity is to have the battery with in reach of you and hook it up and let it run 5-10 mins and cut it off. It puts great motion on your decoy spread
How did you end up making it water proof?? thanks.
Loads of Silicone
jamaulden1009 did you put the silicone on the end of the pole where the wires came out?
yes
jamaulden1009 and then the wires sticking out, you added 50ft to them, twisted them together and they were fine?
I made the connection inside of the tube so it would be "weather/water proof" fill that with silicone and the 50' sticking out with gator clamps on the ends for the battery terminals.
What wire did you use?
Shiddy I used #10 wire and spun it together