We are replacing our old and unreliable Electracatch unit. Has anyone experience of the e-Fish 500 or the Smith Roots LR-24 backback models? We would like any comments on whether they do the job they are designed for well and their reliability We will use it predominantly in soft, low conductivity waters. Getting a Smith Roots is more difficult given the need to import from the USA. Is it worth the additional trouble.
I have used smith-root LR-20B electrofishers to survey fish assemblages in wadeable streams with conductivities that range 30-1000 microsiemens. They have worked very well and are simple to use.When we first got this unit we used lead-acid batteries and now we have switched over to lithium-ion batteries that are much lighter. The unit with either lead-acid or lithium-ion is still lighter than the previous gas-powered generator units we used prior (they were also smith-root). You can buy batteries from suppliers other than smith-root that are a little cheaper. With a new battery that is fully charged, we can sample for about 3+ hrs with 200-300 volts, waveform pulsed DC, frequency 50hz, duty cycle 5ms and with an output of ~0.8-1.2 amps (sometimes less). We use the LR20B for a lot of multipass electrofishing, so we normally swap out batteries after the second pass of a three-pass protocol (our first pass normally takes 1-1.5 hrs., second pass takes ~1hr). Some other points are that I have always been happy with the smith-root customer service. One con is that the unit is made with plastic connectors that can wear easier that metal but they will install metal metal connectors if you request them.
Thanks, David, for that feedback. Very helpful, particularly regarding the plastic connectors. How long have you been using your unit and have you had any breakdowns or just had regular servicing.
Thanks in advance.
We purchased four LR20B electrofishers in 2013 and have not had any breakdowns. We use them about 25-40 days per year. We did have one that fell off of a cart which pushed a switch into the fiberglass housing that we had to have repaired. I think if you treat the equipment like other standard electrical equipment (e.g., place it on the ground instead of dropping) it should last a long time without the need for service or repair.
Thanks, David. That is the answer we wanted to hear. Much appreciated
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