Higdon Pulsator Decoys (troubleshooting)

[SWAG]

I have two of the bilge pump duck butt decoys. They were working great last season. Got them out and put them on the charger. Noticed the light was green on the charger (usually red when charging and green when done) when I hooked up the two batteries. Still charged them for about 4 hours just to make sure. Got to the woods and, of course, neither pump was working. Brought them back home, hooked up the charger to the battery while it was still attached to the decoy (light blinks red then green on the charger when you do this). Could barely hear the pump coming on and off. Not even really turning the pump, just the sound of the pump trying to turn. Not sure if I have battery trouble, pump trouble, or charger trouble. Fairly certain it is not charger trouble. Do these batteries usually not last from one season to the next? Anyone had pump troubles? Guess the interupter is working fine so I am hoping I am just in need of two batteries. Thanks!

[bpinson1]

Try bypassing the battery and connect them direct to another battery you know works. You may need to replace the batteries.

[hbrown]

It's a 12 volt system so just hook it up to a trolling motor battery to see if the pumps run. If nothing happens it's time to drop another 150 on a new one. I bought one myself this year. They are pretty awsome. Those batteries should be charged atleast once a month during the off season, just like a motorcycle battery. Hope this helps.

[cajun squealer]

Those batteries should be charged atleast once a month during the off season, just like a motorcycle battery. Hope this helps.

My thoughts exactly. If they were put up at the end of last season without recharging, they're probably toast. Prolonged periods of low charge will kill the battery cells. Hook a volt meter up to the battery after charging it and see what it reads. A new 12V battery will usually read 12.6-12.8 volts. Once voltage goes below 12, it's on the way out.

[Bufflehead68]

It is not the battery sounds like your pump has played out like mind you can get a replacement pump for 14.99 from Higdon. got mine in two days after ordering.

[SWAG]

Let me tell you, if you have more than one of these things, be sure and label them #1 and #2 or A & B. When running down trouble, it will help if all units are seperated. The battery was very weak on one of them and the pump was gone on the other. Was a "hairpulling" trying to figure it all out because apparently I was swapping battery to decoy and so on. Thanks for the advice.

[kingranchin]

I have two and you MUST clean the pumps on a regular basis through hunting season (just run some clean water through and spin the impeller). Sounds like your batteries may be shot, just hook directly to your charger clips, you have 12 volts there.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

First, make sure the pump is clean. Then, try charging the battery on a regular auto battery trickle charger ---one of the new types that will stop charging when the battery is fully charged. The battery that comes with the decoy is a 12 volt and is very difficult to fully charge with the little charger that comes with the decoy. I had a similar problem --- pump not working well at all, pump was clean, and battery had been charging for hours on the provided charger. Hooked up the battery to the auto trickle charger and presto ---problem solved. This was a helpful tip provided by the knowledgeable guy that runs the sporting goods store in Grenada. Hope this helps.

[Lodi Rebel]

I had three last season down to one this season. Both have pump problems. I don't need them since I had my accident in November. Glad to know you can get the pumps from Higdon. Thanks for the info......