Propane Ice Augers

[guthook1]

Sitting here wishin' I was fishing and a though/question stumbled into my gourd.....Do the new propane augers work in the high country?  I have heard that the Buddy type heaters don't work well above 6,500 ft. elevation.  Is it because of their low oxygen shut off feature or is it because propane doesn't work at altitude?  I purchased a Strikemaster Honda 4stroke auger, so it will work everywhere.  If it is going to be a problem for the high country anglers - thought I'd pose the question and save them a possible headache.
bestfishes - jim

[Dog-duster]

I've used my Jiffy Pro4 at 8900' with no trouble. Can't say about anything higher.

[Griff8185]

I was at 11 mile today and had no issue with my Mr. Buddy heater.

[lefty2053]

Just read a post about the Jiffy Propane Auger not working at 11 Mile and at Jefferson. Not good to hear.

[Griff8185]

That would suck. Could u imagine getting up there and having your auger not work.. I went up there for the first time today. Didnt know it was $7, and of course i had no cash on me... Just my luck.. If you have a Jiffy i would bring it and try. But i would have a hand auger just in case. 

[jeffmonument]

It was -20 for me at the Mile, my new Jiffy Pro4 would not start.....  Me and three kids and no holes, not a good situation!  I borrowered one from a neighbor( thanks whoever you were!!!) .   I was bummed about the Jiffy so I put the power head in my hut and warmed it up.  It was fine after it warmed up.  Got home and found this in the FAQ manual.

At what temperature will my PRO4 freeze up?
Jiffy designed a high pressure fuel delivery system exclusively for cold weather applications. The factory testing facility tests all drills down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Per the National Institute of Standards and Technology, propane will remain in a usable state down to -44 degrees Fahrenheit.

I think I may keep my Strikemaster Mag for really cold mornings

[Prairiegoat]

Good info, Jeff. Guess I'll stick with my stinky gasoline Jiffy 30.

[bgflys]

Too bad you didn't have my number Jeff. In your situation I would've been glad to stop what I was going to help. Sure glad someone was around to help you out. Hard to keep three kids occupied as it is and with no fishing story time can only last so long.

Did you catch any fish?

"B"

[jeffmonument]

Just two fat cutty's maybe 14", but plump( I was a Suckers)

[AdamT]

I have used mine successfully down to -30 at Granby. It did take 4 or 5 pulls though.

[Perch dude]

Mine has never failed me yet.

[RippingLips]

Fished at 8900' in -30 degree weather. mine didnt start on the first pull like it would at home, held the throttle a bit then it kicked right off.

[wyobrink]

I have a Strikemaster Lazer Mag Xpress, 8 inch.  Every year I have trouble getting it started (this year a new kill switch, last year a carburator).  Admittedly, the carb was partly my fault as I left the fuel in the auger longer than I should have.  Been thinking about getting a propane auger.  Overall, do the guys the with them prefer them over gas or would you go back to gas?  The gelling of propane is a concern of mine but honestly I don't like fishing in temps below minus 20 anyway so it is not a major concern. 

To address the propane gel problem has anyone worked on insulating the bottle (neoprene sleeve) and adding a hand warmer?  Just a thought, let me know what you think.  Thanks in advance!

[Dog-duster]

Wyo, I used to have a 10" mako and I will not go back to gas ever. I don't think propane ever gels at temps most humans might experience in their lives. It does, however, flash to a gas much less readily at very cold temps. I think that coupled with altitude and thick oil can make them harder to start. I would bet propane is a little trickier at altitude because it's more sensitive to air/fuel mixture and there's not much way to tune that. Like I've said before, I've used mine at 11 mile and up to 8900' with only a couple extra pulls. I have read on IS that someone has done something like the insulation and hand warmers. I just put my powerhead in the cab on my way out. By the time I let it idle and drill a couple holes it will be fine for the rest of the day. I'm considering finding a thinner grease for my gearcase to make it easier to spin the auger up. Bottom line is: if you can stand a little extra weight and the quirk of setting it in the correct position when you lay it down it is well worth not having to deal with gasoline's s issues.

[wyobrink]

Duster,

Thanks for the reply.  I think I'm going to sell my Strikemaster.  At least half of my fishing is with my 6" hand auger anyway.  It drills pretty easy anyway.  Letting the auger ride in the cab and bringing it into a heated area the night before always helps.