Centrepin Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 (edited) I recently bought a flapper, unfortunately the battery is too heavy for me to carry. I tried a duracell MN21 which worked fine with no bird and gives around 20 minutes with a small pigeon. Tried it today with a Crow, no joy. New battery, but the bird is too heavy. So it's back to the mobility scooter battery till I find something else. Edited February 15, 2023 by Centrepin Pictures appeared twice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 Buy a lithium battery half (maybe more) of the weight of lead acid and you can cycle to 90% so manage with half the AH of lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarecrow243 Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 you can use a sealed lead acid battery that is thinner 12 17ahr it will last for hours they a thinner than a motor bike battery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 (edited) Try 3 or more likely 4, 18650 3.7v batteries in a battery holder wired in series, should give you 2500mah of power at 11.1v or 14.8v compared to the 60mah of the 12v MN21 or the 12000mah of the scooter battery. Edited February 15, 2023 by Stonepark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 (edited) Not being funny here, but do you genuinely feel you need a flapper? I’ve never bothered with one and can’t say I’ve ever felt under gunned as it were, but have always selected fields where I knew the birds to be. My shooting mate has one and I can’t ever say it’s been a great success; just something else to lug about in my opinion. Just my two pennerth. Edited February 15, 2023 by Scully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 4 hours ago, Centrepin said: I recently bought a flapper, unfortunately the battery is too heavy for me to carry. I tried a duracell MN21 which worked fine with no bird and gives around 20 minutes with a small pigeon. Tried it today with a Crow, no joy. New battery, but the bird is too heavy. So it's back to the mobility scooter battery till I find something else. Hi. A 12v 2.1 amp lead acid will run an ff6 on the timer all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 (edited) Back in the day the 1970s we had a flapper made from a length of broom pole with a rubber decoy fixed to it and two wooden boards to which you stapled wings from a dead pigeon. These worked by pulling a cord (when you saw a pigeon flying nearby) and rose and fell as in flapped against the resistance of a coil spring under each wing board. Edited February 15, 2023 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 5 hours ago, Centrepin said: I recently bought a flapper, unfortunately the battery is too heavy for me to carry. I tried a duracell MN21 which worked fine with no bird and gives around 20 minutes with a small pigeon. Tried it today with a Crow, no joy. New battery, but the bird is too heavy. So it's back to the mobility scooter battery till I find something else. Are you using a 12 Amp Hour batter? They are a bit of a lump to drag about. A 7 Amp Hour battery weighs a lot less and is great for flappers. Wonder if that could help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrepin Posted February 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 For the couple of ounces the flapper weighs it's worth carrying. It's the battery that kills it/me. It's a recent purchase, bought on a whim. @Scully On my perm a good mornings shooting can be just 2 or 3 birds. Using the flapper at the right time my average has upped to 10. For the moment it's certainly drawing them in, whereas regardless of pattern or number of decoys very little else has been. It's a difficult area, with many footpaths and bridleways plus an abundance of trespassers and illegal motorbikes. I'm intending, cost allowing, to try various light weight batteries till I get one to suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted February 16, 2023 Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 10 hours ago, Centrepin said: For the couple of ounces the flapper weighs it's worth carrying. It's the battery that kills it/me. It's a recent purchase, bought on a whim. @Scully Fair enough. That’s what I meant by asking if you needed a flapper; no flapper means you don’t need a battery. I use a lightweight ‘bobber’, two if I choose, but in my experience if the birds aren’t there they aren’t there, flapper or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpip Posted February 17, 2023 Report Share Posted February 17, 2023 If your planning on passing jt4 M18 Doncaster anytime, let me know, got a 12v 2. 4 amp and a 12v 1.2 amp if you won't one for free. Fit in your pocket and will run a flapper all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted February 20, 2023 Report Share Posted February 20, 2023 On 15/02/2023 at 13:24, Centrepin said: I recently bought a flapper, unfortunately the battery is too heavy for me to carry. I tried a duracell MN21 which worked fine with no bird and gives around 20 minutes with a small pigeon. Tried it today with a Crow, no joy. New battery, but the bird is too heavy. So it's back to the mobility scooter battery till I find something else. Sorry for the late reply Centrepin. I have been waiting to speak to a pal who is a Rolls Royce turbine engineer - an expert on electrical goings on. He has recommended a Lythium Metal Hydride battery which is much lighter than the old tech’ lead acid ones, and with the same output. This could be what you’re looking for. I am told you also need a dedicated recharger - i.e not the lead acid type charger. Feel like I’ve had a proper school day……🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted February 20, 2023 Report Share Posted February 20, 2023 P.S have a look at Nickel Metal Hydride (NIMH) also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrepin Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2023 Thanks for the replies, I'm considering one of these below: It's about half the current weight of a lead acid. My problem at the moment is finding birds.😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted February 21, 2023 Report Share Posted February 21, 2023 How much does it weigh compared to the lead acid type? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted February 21, 2023 Report Share Posted February 21, 2023 Just answered my own question by looking it up - it’s 1.9 lbs compared to 5 1/2 lbs for the lead acid type. A big improvement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrepin Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2023 (edited) My current battery is 4lb 14oz (ish) and the same size (dimensions) as above so its a considerable weight saving. Fits comfortably in the side pocket of my bag. Anything that doesn't go in this bag doesn't go at all.  Edited February 21, 2023 by Centrepin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted February 21, 2023 Report Share Posted February 21, 2023 I try and take a mate who has all the gear with no idea, they aren't common but are about and they love buying gear ( and obviously carrying it) in return for a trip out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted February 22, 2023 Report Share Posted February 22, 2023 19 hours ago, mgsontour said: I try and take a mate who has all the gear with no idea, they aren't common but are about and they love buying gear ( and obviously carrying it) in return for a trip out Ha ha 😆 well done! You normally have to pay for that kind of service. I hope the picnic table cloth and wine glasses are up to standard….?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted February 22, 2023 Report Share Posted February 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Fellside said: Ha ha 😆 well done! You normally have to pay for that kind of service. I hope the picnic table cloth and wine glasses are up to standard….?! My shoot bus ( Honda CRV ( has picnic table in the boot as standard )) cloth might have to be vetbed and wine glasses I'm reluctant to admit are multi function reusable plastic ones while in the field but do supply quality snacks and refreshments sir 😇 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted February 22, 2023 Report Share Posted February 22, 2023 7 hours ago, mgsontour said: My shoot bus ( Honda CRV ( has picnic table in the boot as standard )) cloth might have to be vetbed and wine glasses I'm reluctant to admit are multi function reusable plastic ones while in the field but do supply quality snacks and refreshments sir 😇 Sounds marvellous - of course the food always tastes better if the shooting is going well….?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 15 hours ago, Fellside said: Sounds marvellous - of course the food always tastes better if the shooting is going well….?! In all fairness, as much as I love pulling the trigger I also still enjoy very much all the aspects of a day in the field but agreed if the shooting goes well it is the cherry on the cake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellside Posted February 23, 2023 Report Share Posted February 23, 2023 39 minutes ago, mgsontour said: In all fairness, as much as I love pulling the trigger I also still enjoy very much all the aspects of a day in the field but agreed if the shooting goes well it is the cherry on the cake 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted March 9, 2023 Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 On 15/02/2023 at 16:53, Scully said: Not being funny here, but do you genuinely feel you need a flapper? I’ve never bothered with one and can’t say I’ve ever felt under gunned as it were, but have always selected fields where I knew the birds to be. My shooting mate has one and I can’t ever say it’s been a great success; just something else to lug about in my opinion. Just my two pennerth. well scully i got a new 1 from a1 used it 2 weeks ago on drills,crows going straight over wouldn,t look at deeks,set it up with said crow i hadn,t even got in hide b4 1st one dropped in,,so yes far better than a whirly they,re rubbish in my opion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrepin Posted March 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2023 I found wirlys or magnets a non starter for crow yet a flapper and acme caller draws them from miles away. My problem is getting the first crow for the flapper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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