In the pastI have been right where you are but about 10 years ago I spent a little extra money and put a nice dependable feeder together and as of today have not had to do any maintenance what so ever. I put a magnum 12v thrower and external solar panel on it, and like I said I have never had to touch the battery since and I run it year round. I now own 4 of these and had to change my first part on any of themlast month, I had a solar panel go bad on the feeder in the pic but it lasted for 8 years....
