Optimize Wildlife Attraction and Management with the American Hunter AH-EKIT Photocell Feeder Kit

For anyone serious about wildlife management, ethical hunting, or simply observing nature's beauty on their property, consistent and reliable feeding is paramount. Manually dispensing feed can be a time-consuming and often inconsistent endeavor, subject to the vagaries of weather, busy schedules, and human error. How can you ensure your wildlife population receives the nutrition it needs precisely when it needs it, without constant intervention? What are the best tools for establishing predictable feeding patterns for deer, turkeys, and other game? The answer lies in advanced automated feeding solutions.

The American Hunter AH-EKIT Photocell Feeder Kit 6 Volt is specifically engineered to address these challenges, offering a sophisticated yet user-friendly approach to supplemental feeding. This robust feeder kit simplifies the process of attracting and maintaining healthy wildlife, allowing property owners, hunters, and conservationists to focus on their objectives rather than the daily grind of manual feeding. It's designed for seamless integration into various feeder setups, providing the core mechanism for an efficient and automatic feeding system.

Intelligent Feeding: The Power of Photocell Technology

One of the standout features that sets the American Hunter AH-EKIT apart is its innovative photocell technology. Unlike basic timer-based feeders that operate on rigid, pre-set schedules, the AH-EKIT intelligently detects ambient light levels, activating its feeding cycles precisely at dawn and dusk. Why is this significant?

• Mimics Natural Foraging Habits: Many wild animals, particularly deer, become most active during crepuscular hours – the twilight periods of dawn and dusk. By dispensing feed during these natural activity peaks, the AH-EKIT encourages more consistent and effective feeding patterns, making it highly attractive to wildlife.
• Adaptive to Changing Light Conditions: Sunrise and sunset times vary significantly throughout the year and depend heavily on your geographical location. A fixed timer would require constant manual adjustments to remain effective. The photocell adapts automatically to these seasonal shifts, ensuring optimal feeding times year-round without any intervention from you. This "set it and forget it" convenience is invaluable for busy individuals.
• Optimized Feed Consumption: Dispensing feed when animals are most likely to consume it minimizes waste. Feed left out during inactive periods might be subject to spoilage or consumption by non-target species. The precise timing maximizes the efficiency of your feed investment.
• Energy Efficiency: By operating only during relevant light conditions, the photocell helps conserve battery life, avoiding unnecessary activations during broad daylight or deep night when animals are less likely to be present at the feeder.

This smart sensing capability is a cornerstone of effective wildlife management, providing a reliable and adaptive feeding solution that works in harmony with nature's rhythm.

Robust Construction for Enduring Performance

Durability is a non-negotiable trait for outdoor equipment, especially devices exposed to the elements, inquisitive wildlife, and the demands of consistent operation. The American Hunter AH-EKIT is built to withstand these challenges, ensuring long-term reliability.

• Powder-Coated Metal Downspout: The feeder features a robust powder-coated metal downspout. This specialized coating provides superior resistance against rust, corrosion, and general wear and tear caused by moisture, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to feed. It ensures a smooth path for the feed, preventing clogs and ensuring consistent dispensing.
• High Torque Motor: At the heart of the kit is a high torque motor. This powerful motor is essential for consistently broadcasting various types of feed, from corn and pellets to specialized game feed, even under challenging conditions. It ensures that the spinner plate can handle the load and distribute the feed effectively across the desired area. A robust motor means fewer jams and more reliable performance, which is critical for maintaining wildlife patterns.
• Galvanized Metal Mounting Bracket and Slinger: The kit includes a galvanized metal mounting bracket and slinger. Galvanization is a process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, preventing rust and corrosion. This makes the mounting bracket incredibly durable, ensuring secure attachment to your feeder barrel or hopper. The galvanized metal slinger, or spinner plate, is designed for efficient feed dispersal, resisting wear from the abrasive nature of feed and the elements. These components are engineered to endure harsh outdoor environments, providing years of dependable service.

When you invest in the American Hunter AH-EKIT, you are investing in a product designed for longevity and consistent performance, minimizing the need for frequent maintenance or replacements.

Precise Control: Customizable Feed Rates and Twice-Daily Dispensing

Effective supplemental feeding isn't just about automatic operation; it's about control and precision. The American Hunter AH-EKIT offers granular control over feed dispensing to meet specific needs.

• Adjustable Feed Rate (1-30 Seconds): The kit allows you to set the feed rate anywhere from 1 to 30 seconds. This wide range of adjustability is incredibly valuable.
  • For establishing initial attractant points, a longer duration might be beneficial to disperse more feed.
  • For maintenance feeding or when managing specific feed types, a shorter duration can prevent overfeeding or waste.
  • It also allows you to adapt to the number of animals you are attracting and their feeding habits.
• Feeds Twice a Day (Dusk and Dawn): In conjunction with the photocell technology, the AH-EKIT ensures feed is dispensed twice daily – once at dawn and once at dusk. This dual-cycle approach is ideal for establishing consistent patterns for most game animals. It provides a steady food source at their peak activity times, which is crucial for:
  • Patterning Wildlife: Animals become accustomed to the feed source appearing at specific times, leading to more predictable movements and increased visitation rates to your feeder location.
  • Supporting Nutritional Needs: Regular, small amounts of feed are often more beneficial than infrequent, large dumps, promoting healthier digestion and consistent nutrition.
  • Optimizing Hunting Opportunities: For hunters, understanding and influencing game movement patterns is key. The consistent feeding schedule offered by the AH-EKIT can significantly enhance hunting success.

This combination of precise feed rate control and intelligent, twice-daily dispensing empowers users to tailor their feeding strategy for optimal outcomes.

Powering Your Feeder: Battery Requirements and Recommendations

To ensure continuous operation, the American Hunter AH-EKIT requires a reliable power source.

• 6V Spring Top SLA Battery: The feeder is designed to operate with a 6-volt (6V) spring top Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery. SLA batteries are commonly used in outdoor applications due to their durability and ability to deliver consistent power.
• Recommended DE-30045: For optimal performance and longevity, the manufacturer recommends the American Hunter DE-30045 battery. Using the recommended battery ensures compatibility and performance tailored to the feeder kit's specifications, maximizing operational efficiency and minimizing potential issues.
• Battery Management Tips:
  • Regular Checks: Periodically check the battery level, especially before and during peak feeding seasons.
  • Solar Panel Compatibility: While not included with this kit, many users choose to integrate a compatible 6V solar panel (sold separately) to maintain battery charge, significantly extending the time between manual battery replacements and ensuring uninterrupted operation. This is a highly recommended upgrade for remote feeder locations.
  • Environmental Considerations: Protect the battery from extreme temperatures and moisture to prolong its lifespan.

A well-maintained power source is critical for the continuous and reliable operation of your automated feeding system.

Enhancing Your Wildlife Management Strategy

Investing in an automated feeder kit like the American Hunter AH-EKIT goes beyond mere convenience; it's a strategic move for effective wildlife management.

• Time Savings and Efficiency: Eliminate the need for daily visits to your feeder. Once set up, the AH-EKIT works autonomously, freeing up your time for other crucial tasks, whether it's scouting, habitat improvement, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
• Consistency is Key: Wildlife thrives on predictability. A consistent food source encourages animals to frequent your property, supporting healthier populations and creating better opportunities for observation or hunting.
• Supplemental Nutrition: During lean seasons or periods of environmental stress, supplemental feeding can significantly contribute to the health and survival of wildlife. The AH-EKIT ensures this vital support is delivered reliably.
• Patterning for Hunters: For serious hunters, understanding and influencing game movement is paramount. The consistent, dawn and dusk feeding schedule provided by the AH-EKIT helps establish predictable patterns, increasing the likelihood of successful hunts.
• Conservation and Observation: Beyond hunting, the AH-EKIT is an excellent tool for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists. It allows for consistent feeding to support local populations and provides incredible opportunities for observing animal behavior from a distance, especially when paired with trail cameras.

Setting Up Your American Hunter AH-EKIT Feeder Kit

The galvanized metal mounting bracket is designed for straightforward installation, allowing you to quickly integrate the AH-EKIT with your chosen feeder barrel or hopper. While specific instructions are provided with the kit, the general setup involves:

• Choosing Your Hopper: Select a durable feeder barrel (e.g., plastic or metal drum) of appropriate capacity for your needs.
• Mounting the Kit: Securely attach the AH-EKIT using its robust galvanized mounting bracket to the bottom of your hopper. Ensure a stable and level installation for optimal feed dispersal.
• Connecting the Battery: Insert the 6V spring top SLA battery, ensuring correct polarity.
• Adding Feed: Fill your hopper with the desired type of game feed.
• Testing: Perform a test run to ensure the motor and slinger are functioning correctly and dispersing feed as expected.

For long-term use and maximum efficiency, consider positioning your feeder in a strategic location that is easily accessible to wildlife, safe from human disturbance, and ideally with some natural cover. Regular cleaning of the feeder components can prevent clogs and extend the life of the unit.

Why Choose American Hunter Products?

American Hunter has established itself as a reputable name in the outdoor and hunting industry, known for producing reliable and effective wildlife management tools. Their commitment to quality and understanding the needs of hunters and conservationists shines through in products like the AH-EKIT. When you choose American Hunter, you're opting for:

• Proven Performance: American Hunter products are designed with real-world use in mind, tested to perform reliably in diverse outdoor conditions.
• User-Centric Design: Features like photocell technology and adjustable feed rates demonstrate a focus on ease of use and effective outcomes for the end-user.
• Durable Construction: The use of powder-coated and galvanized metals ensures their products withstand the rigors of the environment.

Whether you're looking to attract game for hunting, support a local wildlife population, or simply enjoy consistent wildlife observation, the American Hunter AH-EKIT Photocell Feeder Kit offers a dependable and intelligent solution. It's an essential addition to any serious wildlife management plan, delivering consistent performance and peace of mind.

This American Hunter AH-EKIT Photocell Feeder Kit is available through DEGuns, a trusted source for quality outdoor and hunting equipment.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	American Hunter
Series	Feeder Kit
Model	Photocell
Color	Black
Battery Type	6 Volt SLA
Feed Duration	1-30 Seconds
Feed Time Programs	2 (Dawn, Dusk)
SKU	AHEKIT
UPC	758365601454