682 Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 Wonder if some of you with experience with Pigeon Magnets / Rotary decoys can help me? I've just bought a Rotary decoy (from Target Sports) and used it for the first time today. I'm using a 12V 7AH battery, connected directly to the motor. The arms on the rotor are approx 4 - 5 ft. The rotary decoy opperated well, apart from I felt the speed of rotation was possibly too high (?) For the first few hours of battery life it was approx 30 - 35 rpm. Is this Ok or far too fast?? As the battery started to fade (it only lasted about 4 hours) the speed obviously reduced and seemed to be 'right' at about 20rpm. I was using the magnet approx 3 yds in front of a horsehoe pattern of 15 full-shell decoys, facing into wind, spread in a wide arc approx 25 yds out from the hide. Because I hadn't any 'real' pigeons to use on the rotor, I started off using a pair of 'winged' flapping pigeon decoys (foam) that Target sports sell for use with the rotor. I was planning to swap them for real ones after I'd had a few kills (some luck!). The pattern was under a flight line in a winter wheat field next to a large wood. In hindsight I should have set up another field along, which was oilseed rape. I had no way of adjusting the speed when out today and several times, flocks of pigeons flew past the decoys without coming in for a look. A few times some otehr birds did drop down or alter course a bit towards the pattern and then carried on their way, but they were still miles away, too far for a shot. Only one bird, all day, glided into the pattern ... and I *****y missed!!! I can't help feeling that the birds were put off by the speed of rotation, but with no prior experience in this I don't know. Maplin electronics sell a 3 Amp, adjustable voltage regulator which would allow me to alter the voltage to the motor and hence rotorspeed if people feel the 30 - 35 rpm speed is too high. This would also have the added benefit of extending the battery life. Any feedback on the above welcome, Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernyha Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 My rotor runs all day at approx. 38rpm on a car battery and i find that if the birds want to feed in that field,they will come and have a look,usually in range of the gun. I think your pigeons were on their way to the rape and you were in the wrong field. Normally you shouldn,t do any good on wheat untill it is ripe and gets layed by heavy winds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 If the batterys brand new it may need a few charges (and discharges)to reach its peak performance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 I have a Pinewood rotary device and I would GUESS the constant speed is around 30+ rpm. The Pinewood is lighter than most rotarys, which is probably why its battery (12v 7AH) seems to last for ever. I recharged mine on Friday night , after it had been in use for a total of 21 hours this week, with no sign of running down. I agree with ernyha, those pigeons wanted to eat rape, there is nothing for them on winter wheat. You should have moved and saved the day. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean johnston Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 I have a leaflet on the pinewood rotor and they say their rotor runs at 40 rpm.Why dont you try running it off a 6v battery as this will reduce the speed. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 Hey Sean, I,ve just found my booklet and you are right. I,ve never timed mine,but it doesn,t appear to be going too fast and the pigeons like it. :thumbs: A rotary device with a 4 hour battery, is not a lot of good and suggests that the manufacturers haven,t done their homework very well. It is not uncommon to run a flapper (or 2), or a pecker (or 2) off the rotary battery. You won,t be doing that with a 4 hour battery. Also 682 shouldn,t have to go and buy other bits, to make the thing fit for the purpose he bought it for. I would take it back and ask for my money back. :thumbs: Cranfield gets tough. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
682 Posted January 18, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 Thanks for the prompt replies guys. So at 30 -35rpm, my setup isn't too different then, to other systems people are using at 40rpm. So it looks as though my worry about the rotor being too fast, is not the case. I think you are right about wasting my time on the winter weat when I should have been on the oilseed rape. I thought I could save a bit of a walk with all the gear... I presumed that the woodys would come down to have a look, having seen a group of decoys, even if it wasn't a 'food crop' they were on... i guess I was very wrong.... lesson learnt! Ref the battery life, I've read that other people using Vale (??) rotors have got only 4 - 5 hours of battery life so i wasn't suprised when I only got 4 or so. I'll see if i get any improvement when the battery has been cycled a few times. 21 hours on a single charge for the Pinewood rotor is VERY impressive. That means it's only drawing approx 0.3 amp, which is leass than 4 watts of power, when it is running... that is very good. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 Hiya 682, You will find that the Target sports rotor is the one made by N&S.......which you could have probably got some 40% cheaper by going direct to Mike......sorry. :thumbs: We have 5 of these rotors, and I agree with you that they do seem to run a little fast, the easy answer is a speed controller which means you can set it up to suit the prevailing conditions as you see fit. I would say that the N&S rotor is 'fit for the purpose you bought it for', but for any advice, I would suggest phoning Mike Newall direct,especially if you think a refund is what you want, he's a nice guy. :( :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 Deako, any comment on the battery life ? Do yours run down after 4 hours ? Did you fit a speed controller, or just leave yours as they are ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 The battery life is not brilliant, four hours or less is about right, in fact we have turned to using 80 amp hour caravan batteries to solve the problem......not a joy to carry across a field of swathed rape. :( We have only used a speed controller on one of the machines, but this last summer season, we put the rotarys away and turned to flappers instead, everybody in this area seems to have a 'whirley' and I firmly believe the birds are wise to them now. :thumbs: The only real problem we had with the rotary was that the cradles kept throwing birds off, but this was cured by using artificials. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted January 18, 2003 Report Share Posted January 18, 2003 http://www.maplin.co.uk/ Type JY53H into the search all the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
682 Posted January 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2003 I was thinking of WC76H from Maplin, as it handles more current and has spade connectors already fitted to the inputs. In saying that, if the Pinewood rotor rotates at 40rpm and people are using it successfully, then I guess this means mine at 30 - 35 rpm is OK in terms of speed. Ref buying direct from N&S and saving 40% damn, damn and damn !! For future reference what are N&S contact details, do they have a website? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 19, 2003 Report Share Posted January 19, 2003 Having made further enquiries, it seems as though most of the rotary devices batteries only last 4-5 hours. :( Pinewoods seems to be the exception. N&S have a few pages on Martin,s website http://www.WildFowler.co.uk They can be reached at; Tel 01925 728057. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 but this last summer season, we put the rotarys away and turned to flappers instead, everybody in this area seems to have a 'whirley' and I firmly believe the birds are wise to them now. The only real problem we had was that the cradles kept throwing birds off, but this was cured by using artificials. Deako, I was considering getting one of these electro/mechanical flappers. I seem to recall from previous posts that you have the N & S model not favoured by certain pro pigeon guides!! :thumbs: :thumbs: If real birds are getting thrown off, does this mean there is likely to be a MKII design on the drawing board? Are they now shipping with green/black cable? I would hate to invest only to find out a new model released the following week! :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 Tony,.....some slight confusion, the birds were being thrown from the N&S rotary device, not the flapper.I have'nt used the N&S flapper, so can't comment on it. We have had no problems with our flappers, as the wings are crocodile clipped to the machine. :( If you are referring to the cable on the ############## flapper, it is available in beige for stubble, or black for greenstuffs. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 Deako, Sorry chap, I made a complete balls up of reading your post and who supplied what!! :laugh: :laugh: I'll have a peep at ############## Idea - put a connector at the flapper end so you can interchange the cable! You can buy your choice or both. Sounds like a sales poitch to me. Failing that, make your fortune and invent realtree cable!! :( .... More Caffeine, bring me more caffeine!!! This is what happens when you read the forum during work time and keep getting interrupted with work stuff!! :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deako Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 realtree cable..........now then.........you've got me thinking..... :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE PREDATOR Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 682 I USE A WHEEL CHAIR BATTERY IT IS HALF THE WEIGHT OF A CAR BATTERY GEL FILLED CARRING HANDLE IS A 30ah AND LASTS ALL DAY IT IS KNOWN AS MK POWERED DISTRIBUTED BY MK BATTERY 1645 S,SINCLAIR STREET, ANAHEIM,CA92806,USA DONT KNOW WHO IS AGENT IN THIS COUNTRY BUT THEY ARE MUSTARD,ROTARY SPEED WILL NOT NOTICABLY CHANGE ALL DAY I MADE MY OWN MAGNET AND USED ESCORT WIPER MOTOR WHICH SPEED CAN BE VARRIED ON WITH AJUSTING SCREW ON SIDE OR MOVING SPADE TERMINAL :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 20, 2003 Report Share Posted January 20, 2003 Hey Predator, don,t keep posting in CAPITALS, please. It makes your posts harder to read and in "Internet language", CAPITALS = SHOUTING. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 Cranfield, Did you ever have a play with a speed controller for your pinewood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 Tony, I have never thought it necessary. I too was impresssed with my telephone conversations with the Pinewood chaps and the amount of research they had obviously done on the product. The pigeons seem to like the "factory speed" and I,m not about to fix something that ain,t broke. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE PREDATOR Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 SORRY CRANFIELD is that better new to all this good fun though :X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted January 21, 2003 Report Share Posted January 21, 2003 Cheers Mate, :( :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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