Electric or Gas?

[Smelt1]

I have been contemplating this for a while. My old model 30 jiffy auger is about to be retired after 35 years of faithfull service.I am in the market for a new auger.I am defiantly going to by a Nil's auger blade but my question to you guy's is should I go with a gas head or a electric one. What is your opinion? Also because I'm over the half century mark weight is a big concern.Thanks as allways for your valuable input.

[james]

Wow you got thirty five years out of your jiffy, that means me and my jiffy will croak about the same time, lol. I would definitely get an electric auger given half a chance.

[fishingonly2002]

as long as you can be good about keeping a good charge on your battery, go ahead and get the electric.

after owning an electirc auger, and drilling plenty of holes with a gas one, I will never buy a gas auger ever.
~Neal

[bassranger]

I would personally go with gas just seems so much easier put gas in a go who wants to bring in and charge a battery every time you get back from fishing. I would like to see how the batteries would hold up a a day like to day -14 outside. 

[fishingonly2002]

I've never had my battery give me troubles in the cold. even on cold nights up in milan jigging for smelt. I guess we can put it through another test tomorrow morning. I love watching guys on cold morning sit there and try pull starting there augers for half an hour before finaly firing it up.

~Neal

[geo]

i would go gas. way more convenient. electric does fine but i dont like having to charge a battery that trouble just mix up a gallon of oil mix and you are all set for many many trips. PS buy a jiffy legend XT 3hp. it is heavy but has never let me down even in -40 windchills starts great.

[YOAdrien]

Ice Gator just has a plug hole on it for the charger, just plug it in and charge.

Battery is supposed to last 5-6 years and 500-600 charges

So you shouldn't have to take it out until 2014, sounds pretty hassle free to me.

I hate gas on my coat and pants, the poo that drips out of the exhaust is the worst.

Ran the gator on thursday morning at -5 and it was still drilling holes like a champ at 3pm

It is no lighter than anything else out there but convenience is priceless.

Screw gas i am done with it.

Fishing with a 4 man charter tomorrow so there will be a lot of holes drilled in sub-zero temps, will be a great test, it will pass fine

[Rainbow1]

I wish I had electric.  It seems every year the Jiffy doesn't run right or has some sort of problem.  I'm not good with mechanics and I don't want to have to deal with the hassles.  My vote is for plug n play.

[donmac]

My current Jiffy is only 5 or so years old, so I don't expect to be replacing the powerhead any time soon... but when I do, I'm hoping I can put a big enough battery in the atv to push an electric auger. 

Install an on board charger in the atv - just like the boat - pull up to an outlet after a day's fishing - just like the boat - and plug it in - just like the boat.  Works for me...

[seaice]

Go Electric - stealth mode 

[dinosaur454]

I've heard said an electric is quieter under the ice. I run a Normark 6 " auger off a Craftsman 19.2 cordless drill with the IceMaster auger adapter. Works for the amt. of holes I'll do in a day, although I do bring 3-4 batts out with me. I got 14 6" holes through 16" inches of ice off 1 batt the first year. Can't complain.

[chowdah]

My current Jiffy is only 5 or so years old, so I don't expect to be replacing the powerhead any time soon... but when I do, I'm hoping I can put a big enough battery in the atv to push an electric auger. 

Install an on board charger in the atv - just like the boat - pull up to an outlet after a day's fishing - just like the boat - and plug it in - just like the boat.  Works for me...
[Sounds like a great idea! I have one of those auger caddys on my wheeler that carries my jiffy legend gas auger. If i had an electric motor hooked up to a battery that was charged by the wheeler!! weight would not be an issue! Gotta work on this./quote]

[newfound]

Electric!

[nhtroutfreak]

GAS!  My Jiffy started on the first pull the other day when the mercury read -21F and it had been sitting for a week!  and if you keep the gas cap on, you don't get any on you.  This thing is 6 years old and still cuts great.   If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[newfound]

GAS!  My Jiffy started on the first pull the other day when the mercury read -21F and it had been sitting for a week!  and if you keep the gas cap on, you don't get any on you.  This thing is 6 years old and still cuts great.   If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

If you have a good running auger, no need to mess with things.
2 year old and newer gas augers for the most part are JUNK!  Carburetors are JUNK to meet newer emissions.  I have a new last year Jiffy LegendXT.
I've had it tuned, and when tuned, it runs like a champ.  However what is tuned on a 32degree day isn't tuned on a -5degree day.  Plastic parts, flimsy springs, iffy diaphragm,ETC.  This isn't directed toward augers 2-3 years old or older.  If buying NEW, I would go with IceGator.  The only new gas auger I'd buy today, is a Husqvarna. period.  But you could buy a Jiffy and an IceGator together for the price of a Husky.
The big reason I bought the 3hp is to punch through 36" of ice all day long, which we almost had last year on Newfound.  31" at one point 08'
I was cutting, cutting, cutting, while watching all the 2hp stall after a couple feet of ice.  However, I'm just plain old sick of playing with the thing to get it right.
I'll wait to here YoAdrien post on his IceGator later in the year when we have Almost 3' of ice.

Anyone know where I can buy a Pre 06' carburetor for a 3hp Tecumseh? 

Newfound Bloodhound


Update to this Post.  This morning when it was cold (auger stays indoors).  I went out on the ice and couldn't cut a hole to save my life.  1/2 hour to drill 4 holes.  Then after creating this post, It's warmer out, I went out in front of my cottage.(auger outside all day)  drilled  a bunch of holes like buttah.  Started right up. and kept running from hole to hole to hole.  Go figure.
This morning I'm ready to send it to the bottom of the lake and say goodbye, this afternoon, I wanted to kiss it.  There's a woman inside mine, must be!
Just some of the cr&p you have to deal with a newer 3hp gas auger.

[thefinlessbrown2]

just wanted to also add that tecumseh is also done !! so get your parts now as the part replacement may be very tuff in the near future !!!!!!!they are shut down !!!!!

[Smelt1]

Do any of you own a nils brand power head and if so how has it been on those below zero kinda days. I still am debating the electric or gas for the power head but the weight of the electric power head worries me. I took a 7.62mm bullet to my shoulder in that lush tropical peninsula back in the early 70's and the older I get the more it seems to bother me, so the lighter the unit the longer I can icefish. Bubba

[newfound]

Do any of you own a nils brand power head and if so how has it been on those below zero kinda days. I still am debating the electric or gas for the power head but the weight of the electric power head worries me. I took a 7.62mm bullet to my shoulder in that lush tropical peninsula back in the early 70's and the older I get the more it seems to bother me, so the lighter the unit the longer I can icefish. Bubba

Bubba,  First, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your service during the HOT cold war.

http://international.husqvarna.com/node1556.aspx?pid=1200

second,  If you can swing it money wise, look at the Husky.  Very lightweight 1.2hp auger that RIPS! (VERY EXPENSIVE).
http://international.husqvarna.com/node1555.aspx?cid=128

Newfound Bloodhound

[Smelt1]

Newfound,this Husky that you speak of is that the mfg. for the Nils brand power head? Money is not an issue my "better half" one day when she was arguing for a new car totaled up all my fishing gear that I have accumulated over my life and came up with a total of $67,750.00, needless to say she got her car. Do you own one of these huskies? If so did you buy it locally? I'd like to view one.Thanks Bubba.

[newfound]

Newfound,this Husky that you speak of is that the mfg. for the Nils brand power head? Money is not an issue my "better half" one day when she was arguing for a new car totaled up all my fishing gear that I have accumulated over my life and came up with a total of $67,750.00, needless to say she got her car. Do you own one of these huskies? If so did you buy it locally? I'd like to view one.Thanks Bubba.

Hi Smelt,
Sorry I haven't answered you till now.  I'm not sure if the Nils PowerHead is made by Husky, but the powerhead is Finnish.
I don't own one, but heard some people say it was great, but only with a sharp blade.  I sent an email to MB Tractor asking them about the Husqvarna, and their response was that Husky no longer produces this product, or they can no longer get them in the states.  That's too bad.  I've not held one, but they look to have a great ergonomic design.  The Nils or Tanaka puts the handle/lever too high up and too close together.  Looks like it could do someone's wrists some damage if the drill bit caught and spun the handle.  The Jiffy/StrikeMaster/Eskimo have a wide stance handle.  I've not seen the StrikeMaster Lite yet either, but looks interesting.
Good luck this season.

Newfound