My corn feeder won't throw for longer than 3 seconds and sometimes only for about one second. I have changed out "The Timer" with another feeder that I know works, didn't fix it. Changed the battery to a brand new battery, no change. Even when doing the "test" on the timer, it won't throw for the 5 second test. And when it starts, the red light for motor turns on but turns off after 3 or 1 seconds.

So my only other thought is something is wrong with the wire connections on the motor itself. But before I dump 500 lbs of corn out, I'm hoping someone might have run into this same issue.

Check the wires going to the battery connectors. Sometimes they aren't crimped enough and maybe when it starts vibrating it loses connection for a sec??

So did check all wires up in the top of the feeder. Still crimped well, no tears or splits in wire. But I can't see the wiring that goes down to the motor.

The other "Timer" I used works every time on a different feeder, so I know it's not the problem. I changed each timer between 3 feeders and all worked on my other 2 feeders without a problem.

set timer for 3 throws 1 minute apart

For your enjoyment/learning moment. I had to change out a spinner plate on my feeder this summer and ended up in this pickle.

Plan was to remove it and slide ladder and bucket under spout. Well I didn't measure and ended up getting into a bind and it was either kick 6-8" of dirt out where the ladder would fit or take off my belt and try to tie it up. Thankfully the belt trick worked. As bad as my arms were starting to hurt I had totally accepted fate and was ok with 800# emptying out on the ground.

At the end of it I had only spilled about 1/2 a bucket.

Motor most likely binding. New motor required.
I've had this happen to me. I keep a decent stock of spares including a new motor in my barn for just such occasions.

Motors are cheap, about $30 at the Llano L&E.... replaced an 8 year old motor a few weeks back.

Muzzleblast said:

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Motor most likely binding. New motor required.
I've had this happen to me. I keep a decent stock of spares including a new motor in my barn for just such occasions.

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Agree! I have a lot of functional feeders out right now but I keep at least a spare 12v, Timer, spinner plate, Remote, and motor at the lease at all times. Closest town is about 30 mins away.

Don't waste any more time, get a new motor. $20 and a lot less effort on your end.

Not sure what type of feeder, but I had to change a motor on one of mine a while back while it was full. It was an old school barrel style feeder so I was able to slide a 1x between the spinner plate and the bottom of the funnel. Screwed it with a couple of screws to the bottom of the barrel, pulled the spinner and motor then reinstalled after I swapped the old motor out for the new. Barely lost any corn in the process.

It's a ranch king stand and fill corn feeder. I can't get the motor off without emptying the whole thing.

That's my approach too-my brother shared that trick with me many years ago.

If you have to remove the unit, simply get some gorilla or duct tape, and tape the funnel shut. Then just remove the tape once the unit is back on.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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That sounds like a bad motor to me but that doesn't make sense why it doesn't work with another feeder.

There's also 2AA batteries on the timer, which I believe are just redundant backup in case the 12v gets too low. Try changing those, maybe?

I've had 2-3 timers crap put on my but they're like 12 years old. The issue you described would prompt me to check battery and then motor.

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Yes the timer has 2 AA batteries under the rotating cover with the coin slot on the bottom of the unit. The AA batteries are not a backup to the 12v battery, they are what the timer runs off of. The 12v battery is used only to spin the motor when the circuit is closed at the set feed times. The Timer is essentially an electronic relay with a clock. The 2AA batts just run the clock. When the time hits your set feed times, the unit electronically closes the 12v circuit between the 12v battery and the motor for the run duration you set, then opens the circuit again until your next feed time.

There are 2 battery level indicators on the screen. The top one is for the AA batteries voltage level and the bottom is for the 12v voltage level. Once the AA batteries get weak, the unit will have a reduced feed time until it stops throwing altogether. Once the 12v battery gets weak, it will make a "squeaking" sound as it tries to feed, but motor doesn't run. Based on what you described, most likely you just need to install 2new AA batteries.

Por phrasing on my end. The AA batteries run the timer but I believe the timer can function off of the 12v. I've seen timer units that are fully functional with flashing low battery on timer that cease to work when you unplug the pigtail to the 12v. I've always assumed it can draw some power from the 12v based on that phenomenon

I have taken the AA batteries out of "The Timer" after they became corroded and the feeder still worked fine... I was under the impression that these batteries are just backup to keep settings/time on the timer if the 12 volt battery dies or is removed.

Yes, this is my understanding as well

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Por phrasing on my end. The AA batteries run the timer but I believe the timer can function off of the 12v. I've seen timer units that are fully functional with flashing low battery on timer that cease to work when you unplug the pigtail to the 12v. I've always assumed it can draw some power from the 12v based on that phenomenon

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No, not in this case. "The Timer" has 2 separate circuits. The timer itself runs on 3v (2 AA batts). The 12v is used only to run the motor. All the timer does is close a switch to complete the 12v circuit to the motor at the times and duration you command. It doesn't use any voltage from the 12v battery to operate. It doesn't require much battery power to keep the lcd screen visible, but at some point when the AAs get drained down enough, it won't have enough reserve milliamps to close the motor circuit even though the time is still visible on the screen.

smstavinoha88 said:

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I have taken the AA batteries out of "The Timer" after they became corroded and the feeder still worked fine... I was under the impression that these batteries are just backup to keep settings/time on the timer if the 12 volt battery dies or is removed.

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That's weird. I have 15 feeders with "The Timer." None of mine will operate without the AAs and only 12v. In fact I just had to replace AAs in a feeder that had good 12v batt voltage but stopped feeding. After replacing with fresh AAs, it went back to feeding again.

I just found this. My apologies, you're correct, the AA batteries are for retaining time and feeding schedule settings in backup. It's weird that on multiple occasions I had to replace the AAs to restore proper feeder function, leading me to believe the timer functioned like a relay, with 2 separate circuits.

https://www.allseasonsfeeders.com/pages/trouble-shooting-the-timer#:~:text=Solid%2520battery%2520blinking%2520%E2%80%93%2520this%2520is,when%2520disconnected%2520from%252012v%2520battery

Lots of good help on here.
All I have to add is that I have had this issue. All my feeders had/have " The timer". With these symptoms I found that the motor was pulling too many amps and that caused the timer to kick off after a second or three.

Upon replacing the motors all worked well.
That's all I got.

Gunny456 said:

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Lots of good help on here.
All I have to add is that I have had this issue. All my feeders had/have " The timer". With these symptoms I found that the motor was pulling too many amps and that caused the timer to kick off after a second or three.

Upon replacing the motors all worked well.
That's all I got.

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What could be happening there is corroded bearings causing more shaft rotation resistance, drawing more amps.

And lots of feed dust down inside them. Took one apart.