Ion froze up

I was up the gunflint this weekend fishing lakers and rainbows. First day we were in the bwca so we were using the hand auger but the second day (Sunday) we fished outside the bwca so we used my buddy’s 2-3 year old ion. It was around -25 air temp in the morning with 10-15 mph winds, so it was chilly.

The ion drilled the first 6 or so holes fine and then we let it sit outside in the elements for the next couple of hours (kept the battery inside the house). We eventually wanted to drill more holes for a new spot, but the Ion didn’t work. The battery gauge showed full battery (and battery was being stored inside), so it wasn’t a problem with a low battery, but it didn’t do anything when you gave it throttle. It almost seemed like the safety/trigger mechanism was frozen closed or something so the drill wouldn’t get any power.

We kept the Ion in the house close to the heater for the next hour and eventually it started working again but delayed our move by an hour. Anyone experience this issue before? Is there any way to avoid this issue in these temps without having to keep the Ion warm and in the shack? I thought these things were pretty much bullet proof as long as you kept the battery warm.

I cannot say I have heard of that problem before, but you are right you shouldnt need to keep the whole unit inside.

I had three different versions and never had that problem.

When it’s this friggin cold stuff happens!

Just saying

I have never had that problem but I always make sure to set it down on the snow so the throttle side is up.

glenn57 wrote:

When it’s this friggin cold stuff happens!

Just saying

I totally agree that when its that cold, all bets are off. I believe we were at around -40 with the wind chill most of that day.

Other than asking if anyone else has had experienced that problem before, part of the reason for this post is to let others know it can happen so they can try to avoid future problems for themselves. Some people think these are bullet proof if you keep the battery warm but that clearly isn’t the case.

Gitchi Gummi wrote:

Some people think these are bullet proof if you keep the battery warm but that clearly isn’t the case

I’ve owned Ion augers since the first year they were sold, never a single issue…could you/did you try to spin the auger by hand? Perhaps there was water that slid down the auger shaft when you laid it down and got up in the bit/head connection area and froze and locked it up? I’d lean more towards that vs water/moisture getting up in the handle switch area which you would have probably experienced before or afterwards…Their customer service is top notch and probably has a better answer for ya as i’m sure they’ve heard it all…

These things have an orbital/planetary or whatever they call that kind of gearcase right? Wonder what, if any lube they use in there. Perhaps it was froze up. Seems odd that it would happen. It should be built to handle those temps regardless but hopefully this was just a one off issue. It certainly doesnt appear to be widespread but most people are sitting in front of a fire now. LOL

I had one that would not shut off, I had to pull the battery to kill it. I took it apart and found 1/4″ dia metal slugs from punching holes in the handles during MFG that were left inside the tubing and wedged between the switch and tube wall.

I would not be surprised if the cold caused a contraction of either plastic in the battery, battery clip, wire jacket or switch that prevented an electrical connection from being made.

Getting a Strikemaster will solve all your problems. You don’t know what you’re missing until you get one. There’s just nothing else that even come close to comparing.

walleyesforme wrote:

Getting a Strikemaster will solve all your problems. You don’t know what you’re missing until you get one. There’s just nothing else that even come close to comparing.

go on – let’s hear it how one is so much better than the other (lets keep it to the objective stuff). I’m genuinely curious

walleyesforme wrote:

Getting a Strikemaster will solve all your problems. You don’t know what you’re missing until you get one. There’s just nothing else that even come close to comparing.

You haven’t ran the new Alpha apparently.

I’m surprised that it would not work even though you kept the battery warm. I left my Ion Alpha and battery outside on the auger yesterday for three hours while I was fishing, and it stopped working even though the battery showed full charge. Once the battery warmed back up it worked normally. I have had the auger for two years now, and have always left the whole unit outside while fishing. It was a good learning experience that the battery can freeze up when it is -15 out.

B-man wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>walleyesforme wrote:</div>
Getting a Strikemaster will solve all your problems. You don’t know what you’re missing until you get one. There’s just nothing else that even come close to comparing.

You haven’t ran the new Alpha apparently.

I’ve tried a few different ones over the years, not sure of the models but I was not impressed by them at all. The goofy handles are what bother me the most I think, makes it tough in a wheel house. I also remember more than one time people I’ve been with had those clip things come out that hold the bit on. They are super short. Poor battery life, slower than most and the list goes on. If you can get a hole drilled in a house though they work great for opening holes. A side note on batteries freezing I’ve never had an issue with my Strikemasters. That auger has been in the back of my side by side with the battery sitting outside at the cabin and I’d have no doubts that thing would start ripping holes right now. The only time they come inside to charge them and that’s few and far between. Add in you can get cheap greenworks batteries for them and it’s a no brainer for me.

Ive owned the 24v and 40v strikemasters and now the ion alpha. The ion is better in every category.

I have always been pro Strikemaster and thought the ions were junk whenever I used them. However, this past weekend drilled some holes with my buddies new ion and it puts the strike master to shame honestly. Way smoother and way more power. Makes me want to upgrade.

walleyesforme wrote:

The goofy handles are what bother me the most I think, makes it tough in a wheel house. I also remember more than one time people I’ve been with had those clip things come out that hold the bit on. They are super short. Poor battery life, slower than most

You’re entitled to your opinion but every one of these points says you’ve never used or seen the alpha.

Look at Darren do a Alpha Ion 10″ real test.

Gitchi I’d guess with the wind and cold you got some water/ice somewhere it shouldn’t have been and locked it up, could happen to any auger.

Nothing wants to work when it’s that cold. Myself included.

I’ve noticed when reversing to clear out the slush, that I often end up getting quite a bit of water up under the power head. I make sure to spin it a bit to clear the shaft, but when it’s really cold I’ll also prop the head up on something to allow the water to drain. I suspect you had some ice binding it up.

I will also say that I’ve had old 2 strokes gearcase grease/oil gel up when it’s that’s cold.

Did they have auger wars/battles mines better than yours in the gas auger era ? Or is that just an electric auger thing now ? I was around when the propane craze was out but that was about the start of my ice career . Serious question .

isu22andy wrote:

Did they have auger wars/battles mines better than yours in the gas auger era ? Or is that just an electric auger thing now ? I was around when the propane craze was out but that was about the start of my ice career . Serious question .

A quick search on yt found auger races dating back to 2004. So yes.

You guys remember the Ice Gator?? Those guys were the pioneers in cordless electric augers

isu22andy wrote:

Did they have auger wars/battles mines better than yours in the gas auger era ? Or is that just an electric auger thing now ? I was around when the propane craze was out but that was about the start of my ice career . Serious question .

Rumor has it the open modified division was dominated by walleyesforme’s legendary SM 40 volt

^^Ain’t got sh!t on the SM40

I don’t think the SM 40 would keep up but the gas nills would. That thing hasn’t seen any action in a minute. Should break that thing out one of these days just for old time sake.