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Electric Ice Auger any good? 12vdc Do they work for drilling through up to 24" of ice? 6 holes?

12vdc to run off battery, but instead I could run it on the new generator I just ordered because it has a 12v hook-up as well as 120vac. But just not sure I would (could) trust an electric one. I know that I can trust an engine powered auger as I typically use amzoil in most of stuff and non-oxynated gas in my tools and toys. But I want your opinion if I should even consider an electric auger.

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Here are the Pro's and Con's of an Electric Auger:

    Pro's

    1. They are QUIET! This can make a HUGE difference with shy fish under ice. If you ever target Bluegill in water shallower than 8 Ft an Electric Auger won't scare the shite out of everything within a 30 yrd area.

    2. E-augers work "on demand" at any temperature- Gas powered augers, (no matter how new or reliable), will ALWAYS have issues starting. If you've Ice Fished for any length of time you know what I'm talking about.....

    3. They run off a rechargeable resource.

    Cons

    1. They require a HEAVY energy load to drill through anything over 12" of Ice. In your case this might not be an issue, (I'd check again the amperage draw off your Gen), but it's common knowledge you will average about 8 - 10 24" PLUS holes per deep cycle battery, (less if the temp outside is below -20). Many people, (here in MN), use electric augers strictly for "re-opening" holes in their permanent Ice Houses.

    Why? Because they don't "stink" the shelter out, they don't "spook" the fish away from the Permanent houses vicinity AND they only NEED 4 - 6 holes drilled anyway........

    2. When the motor goes on an E-Auger you might as well buy a whole NEW unit. And the motor never "goes" during the warranty period.........

    3. Drilling a hole deeper than 24" will take you about 2-3 times longer with an E-auger.

    Generally, I would suggest against an E-auger, but in your case it might be a viable alternative to gas.

    The "main issue" with an E-auger is power. But, if you have access to unlimited power using a Generator the other problems don't really matter.

    Still, I can drill 40 holes with 3 gallons of gas.......very convenient when on a portable fishing trip...

    I guess the REAL Q is how many holes will you need to drill on average?

    Do you drill more than 8-10 holes during an average Ice fishing outing? If so, I'd still go with Gas.....

    Source(s): current MN fisherman.
  • 5 years ago

    Electric Ice Auger

  • tines
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    i think plenty relies upon on the thickness of the ice. there is not any ice fishing the place I stay, yet I honestly have a minimum of considered it on television. How thick does the ice would desire to be? you could drill a pilot hollow and initiate reducing a circle with a cordless reciprocating observed or a key hollow observed or dry wall observed. If the ice is rather thick you could use a handsaw like carpenters used some time past whilst. What approximately some pilot holes and a hammer and chisel? What some propane torch like plumbers use and melting a hollow? What approximately going to a place the place human beings fish and finding somebody with an auger and asserting"whats up dude, unwell supply you 10 dollars in case you will drill me a hollow over there someplace..." If that don't artwork, then say "properly how approximately I commerce you this ol canines and you drill me a hollow?" it is in basic terms some techniques that popped up in my head and honestly, i do no longer understand in the event that they are going to artwork or no longer... Like I say, we don't ice fish interior the south very plenty. the two way, curiously like a superb style of artwork. i think of i could clarify civilly, yet firmly, to the canines that if he is going to be fishing , he is going to would desire to help get the hollow interior the ice. If he's sensible adequate to decide to flow fishing, in line with threat he has some solid techniques... solid success. i'm hoping you all catch lots of of fish!

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