Ice Gator Charger

[hovermn]

Anyone know if the Ice Gator charger is a smart charger, or will it fry the batteries if left on for more than their recommended time?

[Big Buck Buster]

I have one, and yes, it is a smart charger. When the green light is on, the charger is done charging. It does not charge while the green light is on.

[hovermn]

Thanks! Mine just came today. I ordered it in JULY!!! haha

They gave me the option of shipping me the old style, or waiting for them to finish their new updated model. Well, you can't cut ice in July I'm excited to carve up the lakes this weekend with my new ice weapon!

[Mainehazmt]

your gonna love it! Im on my 3rd year with my gator now

[bogwalker]

It really seems like the way to go. Gasoline units just don't make sense for the kind of fishing I do. I hope to get one next winter. The Humminbird Ice 55 was my big purchase this year.

[Big A]

Another ICEGATOR owner !!

WELCOME TO THE GANG MY NEW FRIEND !!!

I made the transition last year and will NEVER look back !!

ps... I have found their customer service to be OUTSTANDING!

[dmengel]

I got mine last year & all I can say is WoW. It is a great unit. Only thing is I wish I had known they were coming out with a new model before I got mine. If anyone wants a used (about 20 holes) unit I would sell it so I can get the new model myself.

[Big A]

Is the new model that much better?

I know nothing of the new model... hence the question.

I do know I love the unit I have. No complaints at all!

[dmengel]

I am not sure that its any better but I like the idea of being able to hang the battery on the wall in my wheel house & running it off of a cord that they offer.

[reddsixx]

Waiting for mine to arrive. Hopefully next week. I'm excited by all the good reviews. And durn sick of hand augering!

[hovermn]

The new model has a lot of changes. It's pretty much rebuilt from the ground up.

The most noticeable is the battery pack. It's now one self contained unit that can be removed from the auger and charged inside, without bringing the whole auger in. It's also insulated to help keep the batteries warm, giving them a longer run time.

The drivetrain has been upgraded from a gear drive to chain drive. I spoke with the Greg, the CEO quite a bit about this. He mentioned that the gear drive was fine, but under cold temps, the grease just wouldn't perform, and would cause the drivetrain to become loud. The chain drive allows for better lubrication and better reduction ratios.

The motor has been upgraded. They switched to a larger motor that takes less power to run, therefore allowing the use of the lighter, 9 amp/hr batteries, while still keeping the same run time as the 12 amp/hr batteries of the previous Gator.

Soon, they will be offering an upgrade to Lithium ion batteries, which will cut the weight down even further, and giving better performance, especially towards the end of the charge. Anyone that's used Lith-ion battery tools can relate to that!

The Forward/Reverse switches are now totally sealed, keeping water out.

Overall, I'm glad I waited and went with the new unit! I just can't wait to turn some unsuspecting sheet of ice into swiss cheese tomorrow! Just put new blades on the Lazer mag auger tonight! She's gonna cook!!!

[hovermn]

Ha! Figures. lol After waiting since July to get the Gator, it arrived yesterday with either a bad charger or battery pack. I just shot off an email to them to see what may have happened. Looks like my wait will continue.

[Gator Slayer]

Dmengel--What do you want for it?? where you at

send me an email... NELSfivefivefive(use the numbers) at em es en dot com