Ion auger quesstions

[kudu63]

Hello, I'm looking at getting a ION auger this year and after reading lots of posts I found an article stating that they will be coming out with a bigger rated battery this fall.  The current I believe is a 40v  3A/H rating and rated for up to 1000" of ice.  The new one is a 40v 5A/H rating and rated for up to 1600" of ice.   I called ION to confirm and they would not comment on this but said they would come out with announcements next few months with new offering.   Has anyone else heard anything about the new battery ?

I do have a couple questions for you ION owners.

1.  Can you run the charger off your trucks factory inverter (I have a 2014 Silverado - but don't know how many watts these chargers pull)

2. If ION comes out with a 5 A/H battery - do you think you will need a new charger over the existing one for the 3 A/H one - thinking not but not sure.

3.  With MN state fair open now - are there vendors there that sell ION or better off waiting for the ice show later in the year.

Thanks for all replies.

[dj2quick35]

wonder if this new battery will help with the 10" auger bit?  Also wonder if it can be used on existing units or if you will have to buy a whole new head unit?

[kudu63]

10 minutes ago, dj2quick35 said:

wonder if this new battery will help with the 10" auger bit?  Also wonder if it can be used on existing units or if you will have to buy a whole new head unit?

I can't imagine that they would change the footprint of the battery.   I think it would be a bad decision for them to do that with all the existing ones out there.   If there is a 5 A/H battery I would only imagine it would help all around with about 60% increase in power.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I have the original 2011(?) and it works with Ford and Chevy factory inverters. 

[Moon Lake Refuge]

I know a standard charger for a drill battery wont work in my truck so I would imagine this charger wouldn't either, but if you put a decent inverter in your truck wired to your battery you shouldn't have any issues charging it.  All comes down to your use though.  Is it worth putting in a $50 inverter and making sure you have a battery charging or just finding the battery on sale and buying a spare at $130.  I would be shocked if you burned through two batteries in one day unless you and a couple buddies are constantly hole hopping and drilling every hole on the same auger.  

edit

LRG Strikes again.  May just be mine that doesnt pull the juice then unless the charges have different inputs.

 

Edited August 25, 2016 by Moon Lake Refuge

[Hawg]

A 5 AH battery won't increase power just make it run longer, right. I've never had a issue with the 3 AH batteries. No matter how big the batteries get I still don't think the auger is going to ever be fast enough for hole hoppers.  

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

48 minutes ago, Moon Lake Refuge said:

LRG Strikes again.  May just be mine that doesnt pull the juice then unless the charges have different inputs.

 

Now you've got me questioning if I've used it in the new truck.  I'll try to pull everything out to check.  

[Moon Lake Refuge]

20 minutes ago, Lip_Ripper Guy said:

Now you've got me questioning if I've used it in the new truck.  I'll try to pull everything out to check.  

It may very well.  Mine was finicky at the beggining so I just stopped using it for anything but a phone charger.  I've just never had a need. 

[kudu63]

OK I have seen the first online Ad for the new ION augers that feature a 5 amp/hour battery which is rate for up to 1600" of ice.  Price was listed as $629.   Also said they have a center point on the auger - is that also new ?

[kudu63]

Here is link to ION release announcement.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuU8SFHeFA8

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by kudu63

[Hawg]

Questions 1- They say they reversed the rotation. Is the new one going the same direction as last years or is that been changed? Answer: Same rotation as last years

2- Does last years have a brush-less motor or is that new also? Answer: Last years was brush-less also.

3-Is the new drill a REAL 8 inches? What is the cost of the drill alone? Answer- still 7 3/4 (that sucks but I'm used to it now) Not sure of price, I forgot to ask..

4-Are the batteries interchangeable? Not a biggie for me though as I've never had a problem in my application. Answer: Yes-interchangeable

I'm calling them this morning. Called them

Edited August 31, 2016 by Hawg

[PurpleFloyd]

It looks like technology is really moving forward on these. Nice looking units. 

It looks like technology is really moving forward on these. Nice looking units. 

[tisosys11]

Nice - glad I didn't by my second battery last year.