Kia ora all, just wanted to ask around as to the methods folk use for calibration of these traps and similar (150/250).
We use a double weight of ~50g and ~120g made from various washers, and make sure the trap doesn’t go off with the 50g, but does with the 120g.
I imagine others do something vaguely similar but thought I’d ask as it pays not to assume!
According to DOC the trap should not trigger at 50g, but should trigger at 100g.
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DOC250 is 50g and 120g.
Aha interesting, thanks Bevan. I may have recalled the wrong numbers - I was there when we made our calibration weights but it was a while ago! Time to get the scales out!
Always make sure you don’t let it actually hit the treadle (by using a clip). The DoC guy we did a course with had a string with a base weight stainless nut and some others so you could calibrate various weights. Good to engrave the weight on it in them case someone else needs a refresh.
Hey Tui,
For the DOC200s, use a safety catch then 50g and 100g on a string and gently lower them on to fire at 100g. However, I did note recently that female weasels are typically <100g so if you’re targeting them then you may want to adjust for lower?
I tried calibrating the 250s but it became quite fiddly to get a precise calibration so I just make sure they’re going off above 100g but not much more.
@tui_kraal - we are like you and use a weight combination of washers (far cheaper than purchasing actual weights) - we can keep adding washers onto the initial weight until it fires (see picture).
Earlier this year we ordered some new traps and requested that they all fire at between 80-100 gms. We recently caught 2x weasels in a DOC200 (they are now flat fat weasels).
Hi there. I put a disposable plastic ‘glass’ on kitchen scales then fill it with water to 80 grams, draw a line with a sharpie, fill on to 100 grams and draw another line. The glass and a small bottle of water can be used to check hundreds of Doc 200s before I forget to put the safety clip on first!
Very nice idea I like it. Only thing is as we are doing this with traps in the bush I think I’ll take washers this time. M12 x 3mm galvanised sort on average 11 grams per washer so about ten seconds each on a linishing belt is enough to get them to ten.
We stuffed an old sock with rags until it had the right weight, and then every time you need to dry-fire the trap for servicing you’ve also checked the calibration.
