Posted on 06/12/2012 6:19:07 PM PDT by VA Voter
I need some help giving pest Grackles a hot foot. My wife hates the Grackles so much she wants me to take down the bird feeders altogether but I like all the other birds, so I designed an electrical hot foot for the bottom of the metal feeder that by all I know about electricity should work, but it doesn’t.
The concept is simple: two parallel 16 gage non-insulated copper wires ½" apart, 1/4” above the bottom of the feeder, and attached via wire nuts to the two wires of a modified extension cord. When plugged in, the Grackles are supposed to step on both wires at the same time and, wa’la, the hot foot and they then they aren’t supposed to come back.
It’s a little more complicated with insulation, stability and placement but not much. Definitely low tech. I have tested the wires with a light bulb that lights up when touched to the wires. I do know enough not to test it with my finger.
The Grackles have taken over the feeder for most of the day and bully all the other birds away so I only plug it in at my end when they are on the feeder.
The problem is that the Grackles walk all over both hot wires without so much as a tingle. The design inspiration is from a very similar concept from Bird-B-Gone.
This exhausts my very long ago HS electrical expertise and likewise that of the associate at Home Depot, who got a huge kick out helping with the parts: alligator clips, plastic hose for insulation, electrical tape, portable GFCI switch, wire nuts, etc.
What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance for any help and for all the wise cracks this is sure to attract.
Just be sure to film it so we have video when the news runs with the resulting story.
My guess is their feet/claws are non-conductive.
Yes. I'm not an EE, but I suggest judicious use of firepower.
years ago (Im talkin bout 50)...I have vivid memories of my grandfather hating the grackles for crapping all over his driveway and cars...his remedy was to go out into the tree they loved to perch in...and set off a Roman candle..then he would laugh his arse off........as I recall, to worked...at least for a few days LOL!!!!!!
Good luck
I thought about being non-conductive but then why does the Bird-B-Gone work?
“Fire away.”
Yeah..hope your fire insurance is paid up..
As a starter you need to to be using DC not AC..
Put on wire to the hot, the other wire goes to ground.
Test it with your tongue.
Look at the grouse!
Why does DC work and AC not. I’m using house AC.
I suggest you go from 115 volts to 240 volts, so that not can you only remove the birds, but they will be cooked for dinner.
However, one word of caution, if you install the 240 volts and while you are doing it, if you see your wife with a hose.... jump of the ladder andRUN
You need some DC “ringing” current. That always got me running.
I suggest you go from 115 volts to 240 volts, so that not can you only remove the birds, but they will be cooked for dinner.
However, one word of caution, if you install the 240 volts and while you are doing it, if you see your wife with a hose.... jump of the ladder and RUN
lol
Perhaps they use a high voltage transformer and there is enough voltage to overcome the resistance of the birds’ feet?
Are they wearing sneakers ?
Bird feet are insulators ?
You mentioned light bulbs. How much voltage are you using and are you exposing 120V AC?
birds sit on hot power lines all the time.....they’re not grounded, hence an incomplete circuit.
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