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Output Performance of U.S.‐Built Backpack Electrofishers
Author(s) -
Dean Jan C.,
Temple Alan J.,
Smith Jeremiah W.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1002/nafm.10370
Subject(s) - electrofishing , duty cycle , voltage , conductivity , materials science , environmental science , electrical resistivity and conductivity , electrical engineering , electrode , mechanics , analytical chemistry (journal) , fish <actinopterygii> , physics , chemistry , biology , fishery , engineering , chromatography , quantum mechanics
Eight backpack electrofishers were subjected to maximum power output load tests over a wide range of resistances that equate to water conductivity. An electrical load corresponds to the power demand that is placed on a unit, and it is a function of applied voltage and electrical resistance. Electrofisher resistance is a function of its electrodes and of water conductivity. The models that were tested included the Aqua Shock Solutions AP 1; the ETS Electrofishing Systems ABP ‐3 and ABP ‐4; the Midwest Lake Electrofishing Systems Infinity Xstream; and Smith‐Root models LR ‐24, APEX , LR ‐20B, and Model 12. Power output was plotted versus resistance and versus equated water conductivity for multiple pulsed direct current duty cycles. According to our test results and working model, the units that can fish successfully in the lowest conductivity include the APEX and Xstream (14 μS/cm), closely followed by the LR ‐24 and LR ‐20B (16 μS/cm). The Xstream and the ABP ‐4 should fish successfully in the very highest water conductivity (2,800 μS/cm), followed by the AP 1 (1,750 μS/cm) and the APEX and LR ‐24 (1,350 μS/cm). These conductivity estimates are based on fishing in normal depth with standard electrodes, using pulsed direct current with a 25% duty cycle. For standardized and quantitative fish sampling, we recommend backpack electrofishers with independent controls for voltage, frequency, and duty cycle (or pulse width), fine voltage control, and accurate peak metering for voltage and current.