Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Feeder YF User manual

Update 11/22/17
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Yankee Flipper Feeder (YF)
Read Precautions and Important Information before operating
Feeder Placement
Hang the feeder far enough away from any deck rail, pole, tree, etc. so that the squirrel must place all of its body weight on the perch ring. The
recommended minimum is 14”, but a greater distance may be preferable since the mechanism is based on weight. A squirrel that is able to lean
across to the feeder by placing only part of its weight on the perch ring may avoid activating the perch ring.
Red squirrels and chipmunks may not be heavy enough to activate the perch ring, but placing the feeder so that they have to jump to it will
significantly increase your chances of deterring them.
Droll Yankees feeders can be disassembled for easy cleaning and part replacement.
Cleaning - Please, for the sake of the birds, keep your feeders clean! Dirty feeders can harm the birds by spreading disease. Instructions for
“Cleaning & Maintaining Your Bird Feeder” can be located on our website under the “support” tab.
Charging
1. Check to ensure the black knob located on the base assembly is in the OFF position.
2. Place the palm of your hand on the bottom of the feeder and insert your thumb and fingers through the spokes of the perch ring. Grasp
the base assembly and twist counterclockwise (viewed from the bottom), approximately 1/2”. You will hear and feel a distinct click,
then lower the base which will separate from the body of the feeder.
3. Insert the AC/DC adapter output plug into the input jack located at the top of the new Power Stick and charge for a minimum of 14
hours but not more than 24 hours. After charging is complete, remove the output plug of the AC/DC adapter from the top of the Power
Stick.
4. Install the base to the body of the feeder by placing the palm of your hand under the base, inserting your thumb and fingers through
the spokes of the perch ring. Grasp the base assembly and insert the three metal locking tabs into the three slots located underneath
the port, and twist clockwise (viewed from the bottom), approximately 1/2”. You will hear and feel a distinct click. The base is
installed correctly when one of the three arrows ( ) on the underside of the base assembly is aligned with the right hash mark on the
side of the port.
Tube Replacement
Removal of old tube
1. Check to ensure the black knob located on the base assembly is in the OFF position.
2. Release the tube from the feeding port by removing the four tube screws.
3. Lift the cap halfway up the bail wire which will allow the cap & bail wire assembly to fall to the side. Gently pull each end of the bail
wire out of the bail rod.
4. Lay the tube on its’ side with the bail rod parallel to the counter or floor. Using the palm of your hand, push down on the tube over the
bail rod until the tube becomes oval/oblong in shape. This will release the tube from the groove on one end of the bail rod. Reach inside
the tube and shimmy the other end out of the hole.
Installation of new tube
1. Install the bail rod by inserting it into both of the designated holes in the top of the tube. Using the palms of your hands, apply pressure
to the outside of the tube at both ends of the bail rod, until the tube locks into each groove.
2. Replace the cap & bail wire assembly by inserting each end of the bail wire into the bail rod. Make certain each end is fully inserted
before sliding the cap back into place on top of the tube.
3. Place the tube on the port aligning the holes in the tube with the holes in the port. Install each tube screw slowly, stopping as soon as
you feel slight resistance. Do not overtighten the screws as this will cause the tube to crack in hot weather from heat expansion,
or in cold weather from ice expansion. Cracking due to expansion, is not covered under our Lifetime Warranty against squirrel
damage.
Base - Removal & Disassembly
Go to: http://drollyankees.com/video/yankee-flipper-power-stick-replacement/to watch a short video on disassembly and reassembly of the base.
1. Check to ensure the black knob located on the base assembly is in the OFF position.
2. Disengage the base of the feeder by placing the palm of your hand on the bottom of the feeder, inserting your thumb and fingers
through the spokes of the perch ring. Grasp the base assembly firmly and twist counterclockwise (viewed from the bottom),

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approximately 1/2”. You will hear and feel a distinct click, then lower the base which will separate from the body of the feeder. If you
are having difficulty removing the base, go to the “troubleshooting” section on page 3.
3. Use a 7/16” or 11mm socket, nut driver, or wrench to remove the nut on the bottom of the base, below the perch ring.
4. Remove the lock washer, hub, perch ring, and the green plastic friction disc. If you are having difficulty removing the hub, go to the
“troubleshooting” section on page 3.
5. Slowly pull the Power Stick upward to remove it from the base assembly. Keep in mind that there is a large spring inside the base
assembly directly underneath the Power Stick that may dislodge and fall out if the Power Stick is pulled out too quickly. If the switch
bumper separates from the base assembly when removing the Power Stick, it will be necessary to glue it back into place.
Replace the switch bumper on the base assembly if it is worn, indented, or punctured. If the damaged switch bumper is not replaced, the
activation switch on the Power Stick will not depress properly, causing dead spots at certain locations on the perch ring, the perch ring to spin
intermittently, or not spin at all. The top of the switch bumper can be inspected only after the removal of the Power Stick.
Switch Bumper Installation
Needle nose pliers and a utility knife may be used to remove the damaged switch bumper and the old
glue before installing the new switch bumper.
Apply a small amount of Super Glue®, Krazy Glue®, etc. on the edges of the slot. Before sliding the
switch bumper in place, make certain that it follows the curve of the base assembly. The top of the
switch bumper should be flush with the rim of the base assembly when installed correctly. Allow the
glue to dry completely before installing the Power Stick.
Base Assembly
Base - Reassembly & Installation
1. Hold the base assembly upright and position the spring inside the center cavity of the base assembly.
2. Align the switch bumper under the activation switch on the Power Stick and insert the Power Stick into the base assembly. Flip the
base assembly with the Power Stick upside down.
3. Install the friction disk, smooth side facing the bottom of the base assembly, and the perch ring, perch facing down, onto the drive shaft.
4. Align one of the four spokes on the perch ring with the flat side on the drive shaft, located directly beneath the threads.
5. Locate the flat side in the center of the hub, at the end of one of the four grooves in the hub. With the four grooves in the hub facing
downward, align the flat side in the center of the hub with the flat side on the drive shaft, and push down on the hub, locking it in place.
6. Install the lock washer, the nut, and tighten the nut by hand. Use a 7/16” or 11mm socket, nut driver, or wrench to finish tightening,
compressing the lock washer + 1/8 turn. The nut is installed correctly when the end of the drive shaft is flush or slightly higher than
the nut. Do not overtighten the nut as this may cause the drive shaft to break at the threads.
7. Install the base to the body of the feeder by placing the palm of your hand under the base, inserting your thumb and fingers upward
through the spokes of the perch ring. Grasp the base assembly and insert the three metal locking tabs into the three slots located
underneath the port and twist clockwise (viewed from the bottom), approximately 1/2”. You will hear and feel a distinct click. The
base is installed correctly when one of the three arrows ( ) on the underside of the base assembly is aligned with the right hash mark
on the side of the port.
Body - Disassembly
1. Release the tube from the port by removing the four tube screws.
2. Optional: The port and silo assembly may be disassembled for easy and thorough cleaning, by removing the three screws located
underneath the bottom of the port.
3. Lift the cap halfway up the bail wire which will allow the cap & bail wire assembly to fall to the side. Gently pull each end of the bail
wire out of the bail rod.
4. Lay the tube on its’ side with the bail rod parallel to the counter or floor. Using the palm of your hand, push down on the tube over the
bail rod until the tube becomes oval/oblong in shape. This will release the tube from the groove on one end of the bail rod. Reach inside
the tube and shimmy the other end out of the hole.
Body - Reassembly
1. Install the bail rod by inserting it into both of the designated holes in the top of the tube. Using the palms of your hands, apply pressure
to the outside of the tube at both ends of the bail rod, until the tube locks into each groove.
2. Replace the cap & bail wire assembly by inserting each end of the bail wire into the bail rod. Make certain each end is fully inserted
before sliding the cap back into place on top of the tube.
3. Assemble the port and silo assembly, if you chose to disassemble for easy, thorough cleaning, by placing the silo assembly inside the
port. Hold the silo assembly and port upside down and rotate the silo assembly until the three holes in the port line up with the three
plastic posts on the silo assembly. Replace the three screws.
4. Place your tube on the port aligning the holes in the tube with the holes in the port. Install each tube screw slowly, stopping as soon as
you feel slight resistance. Do not overtighten the screws as this will cause the tube to crack in hot weather from heat expansion,
or in cold weather from ice expansion. Cracking due to expansion, is not covered under our Lifetime Warranty against squirrel
damage.
Switch Bumper
Switch
Bumper

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Precautions
1. Read and understand all labels and information on this product before operating.
2. This feeder has motorized moving parts. Common sense should be exercised. Failure to heed any of the warnings contained herein
could result in serious injury.
3. Turn the black knob OFF before transporting, removing the base, charging, filling or cleaning.
4. Do not come into contact with the perch ring when turning the feeder ON or OFF.
5. Turn the black knob OFF if freezing rain is in the forecast. Use caution if icicles have formed on the perch ring.
6. Keep the feeder out of reach of children and pets.
7. Do not immerse the base, Power Stick or AC/DC adapter in water.
8. Do not open the Power Stick for any reason.
If the Power Stick is cracked, damaged or if battery leakage is suspected, discontinue use immediately.
Parts contained in the Power Stick are not replaceable.
All warranties are void if the Power Stick is opened or tampered with.
9. The Power Stick contains Nickel-Cadmium batteries. Do not incinerate. Dispose of properly in accordance with local laws.
10. Do not place AC/DC Adapter (charger) or feeder near heat or fire.
11. Charge only with Droll Yankees AC/DC Adapter (charger).
Use of incorrect charger may create a risk of fire or cause the batteries to burst.
Do not use charger in damp or wet conditions.
Do not use the charger if it has been dropped or damaged in any way.
Do not carry the charger by the cord or yank the cord to remove the charger from the outlet.
Keep the cord away from moving parts, heat, oil or sharp edges. Inspect the charger cord for damage before every use.
Discontinue use of the damaged charger immediately.
The current charger; Model: DSA-6PG-05 FUS050055 100-240V 50/60Hz 0.2A - may be used in Europe, with the use of an
adapter.
Important Information
1. When turning the black knob on the base assembly to the ON or OFF position, do not come in contact with the perch ring. If one of the
four perch ring spokes is obstructing access to the black knob, the perch ring can be rotated by hand with the black knob in the OFF
position or tap the perch ring with your finger when in the ON position.
2. The Power Stick, which contains the batteries, motor, and gearbox, is shipped with a slight charge in the batteries for testing purposes
and requires charging before use.
3. Never loop the AC/DC adapter cord through the perch ring when charging.
4. Recharge the batteries only when they fail to produce sufficient power to spin the perch ring and remove the squirrels. Overcharging
can damage the batteries, resulting in shortened battery life. Repeated undercharging can result in a battery condition known as
“memory” to occur.
5. Place the base in a location that will not be dropped or knocked over. The base should be charged indoors and at room temperature.
6. Unplug the AC/DC Adapter (charger) from the electrical outlet and store in a safe place when charging is complete.
7. Hang your feeder on a rigid hook and secure your feeder from falls. Falls are not covered under our Lifetime Warranty against
squirrel damage.
Troubleshooting
Difficulty removing base
Twist the base using more force. Depending on the way you are holding the feeder, make certain you are twisting the base in the
correct direction. Twist counterclockwise (viewed from the bottom), or clockwise (viewed from the top).
1-2 drops of cooking oil or a lubricant may be placed in the slots on the underside of the base assembly to the right of every arrow,
( ), for lubrication and to soften small particles which may have accumulated at the locking tabs. Try removing the base again in
1 hour.
Difficulty removing hub
Place penetrating fluid/penetrating oil where the hub meets the drive shaft. Try removing the hub again in a couple hours, placing
the base upside down on a flat surface and using the handle of a screwdriver to tap the end of the drive shaft.
Call and speak to a Customer Service Representative for further assistance if you are unable to remove the hub.
To make future removals of the hub less difficult, a light coat of White Lithium Grease may be applied below the threads on the
drive shaft.
Perch ring fails to activate
Check to ensure that the black knob on the base assembly is in the ON position.
Remove the Power Stick from the base assembly and manually depress the activation switch, located on the underside of the large
square, on the side of the Power Stick. Depress and release the activation switch a few times to make certain the drive shaft spins.
The hole in the center of the hub should have a flat side and should not be perfectly round.
Perch ring spins continuously
The base has been disassembled for part replacement and reassembled without placing the spring back into the center cavity of
the base assembly.
Remove the spring inside the base assembly and stretch the spring approximately 2-3 inches and release.
Remove the Power Stick from the base assembly and manually check the activation switch on the Power Stick to see if it is
possibly sticking. Tap the Power Stick just above the activation switch against the palm of your hand. This will dislodge any small
particles which may be stuck in the activation switch.
Only use Dielectric Grease to lubricate the activation switch if it is sticking, as it does not conduct electricity.

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Base will not lock into place underneath body of feeder
Metal locking tabs: Tighten the 3 Phillips screws under the locking tabs. The locking tabs may require realignment by pushing
outward on any one of the locking tabs.
Plastic locking tabs: The older base assembly had three plastic locking tabs. Please contact Droll Yankees for a no-charge
replacement base assembly with metal locking tabs if any of the plastic locking tabs have broken.
Power Stick requires charging frequently
If you have many squirrels in your yard, you may need to recharge the feeder more frequently at first. However, the squirrels
should quickly give up and move on to food sources that require less effort.
Raccoons or other large animals may be attempting to eat at the feeder. You may need to bring the feeder in at night until they go
elsewhere for food. If not deterred, raccoons can drain the batteries and damage your feeder.
Frequent unnecessary recharging or undercharging can result in a condition known as “memory” to occur. It is possible to correct
this condition by carefully following the charging instructions, but it may take multiple charge/discharge cycles to bring the
batteries back to capacity.
YF Parts Diagram to be used only for identification & part number. Please follow the written instructions for disassembly and reassembly of the feeder.
Droll Yankees www.drollyankees.com Customer Service: [e-mail]
[phone] or [phone]