battery powered augers

[msmith1956]

Has anyone tried the battery powered augers? If so what do you think of them? How many holes can you drill on a charge?

[fish4lunch]

My buddy has one and seems like it will do 20-30 holes. We allways bring a deep cycle 12V battery. I don't know which brand.
Good: always starts! & quiet. lighter weight.
Bad: weaker motor (hp) than gas and therefore takes longer to drill holes.

[jopes]

I was going to get the ice gator, but most of the owners seem to have a love hate relation ship with them.  The company is small so warentee issues seem to take a little longer.  This can be a problem when the ice is on and you want to fish.  They do make a great product that cuts very fast.

I choose to go with a Eskimo Z71 and a 10 inch bit.  Gas is easier to fill up, than charging a battery if you run out on thick ice. 

[msmith1956]

Thanks for the replys, I have a customer thats interested in getting one and neither he or I know anything about them. The quiet part sounds like a plus to me

[jopes]

they are only lighter if the auger has wires going to a remote battery to run it.  if the battery pack is on top they are heavier than a gas auger.

[wheelchair_iceman]

I have a battery powered strike master with a 5 inch auger. I have drilled 30+ holes in 30 inches of ice on one charge. In fact I have never run the charge out of it. In my opinion it is an exceptional product. It drills just as fast as a gas auger without the noize and no fumes or gas/oil, starting issues.

[Kinkyline]

     Where did you find your strikemaster 5 incher wheelchair fisherman? I would love to have one if I could find one.

[jopes]

it is probably a 5" lazer with the strike master power head.

[prospector]

36v drill rocks,4-6 inch between 20-40 holes on one charge.

[prospector]

thanks moose, already catching more fish thanks to you guys....thanks everyone.

[WYeyes]

I have a Icegator attacker ll. Really like the unit.  Have an 8" lazar on it. Most holes I've drilled with it was last winter, 24 holes in 28" of ice. It was still going strong and I didn't notice it slowing down any. Don't know how many it would have drilled.

Bad points-- It is a little heavy but supposed to be lighter with the ion batterys
                  Had a problem with the switches( some people did) but that problem was solved by Icegator
                  If fishing for several days, have to find a way to charge batteries, you can charge from a pickup ,4 wheeler, etc.


Good points--- No gas to mess with
                     Can have spare battery to increase run time
                    No noise
                    Cuts really fast
                    No starter rope to pull on    easier on my bad shoulders
                     Starts every time
  And I could go on and on but you get the idea.

I also have an old Strikemaster Maglll that I have had for 10-15 years which has also treated me well, but thats my backup now.

[jignpig]

Check out www.Goalzero.com for you charging needs.  Very innovative stuff, solar, 12v, and AC.  The lights are awesome.  I have them rigged up in my Voyager...

Todd

[jopes]

Check out www.Goalzero.com for you charging needs.  Very innovative stuff, solar, 12v, and AC.  The lights are awesome.  I have them rigged up in my Voyager...

Todd

they sure charge alot for the stuff.  you can get a few sealed lead acid batteries cheap on ebay to make it through a long weekend out there if your using very few battery devices. 

[msmith1956]

thanks for the input guys, may try one myself