Our Backpack Systems are portable, highly effective performers. Durable and dependable, more than 700 of our systems are in service in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia including our serial #001 backpack. ETS manufactures 12V battery-powered single- and two-channel backpack systems.

ETS Electrofishing Systems has provided quality backpack, boat, and stream barge electrofishing systems to federal, state, and private agencies for over 30 years. We offer customized equipment with short lead times at the most competitive prices in the industry.

ETS control boxes are fully and quickly repairable. We offer a rush repair option at no added cost.

Our Backpack Systems were developed with technical support from biologists at the University of Wisconsin, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and many other federal and state agencies. Our backpacks are trusted, highly effective performers. They are the lightest available from a U.S. manufacturer by at least five pounds, and employ a straightforward design that requires no wading through menus to use.

All systems are customizable to meet your agency’s needs. See detailed specifications and descriptions of our backpack equipment below. All systems include a limited, one-year parts and labor warranty.

ABP Backpack Series: ABP-4™
Single-channel system with LCD metering for generalized fish capture

ABP Backpack Series: ABP-2™
Two-channel system with LCD metering engineered specifically for lamprey and ammocete capture

ABP Backpack Series Specs

Advanced 12V battery-powered single-channel or two-channel backpack electrofishing systems
Easy to use precise dial controls (no menus to wade thru) 

Features and Options

• ABP-4 – single-channel system for generalized fish capture
• Standard pulse wave train – available QUADRAPULSE™ option for special applications including sensitive trout electrofishing – reduces battery drain and greatly reduces narcosis time – see full description on last page
• ABP-2 – two-channel system engineered specifically for lamprey programs
• Two independently controlled rate and duty cycle channels instantly accessible by two separate thumb switches on the anode pole – Channel 1 has selectable standard or bursted pulse wave trains developed by the USFWS for optimal dislodging of ammocetes—channel 2 has standard pulse wave train for stunning ammocetes, lamprey, or fish
• Light open-frame design minimizes weight fatigue in the field – Lightest weight USA-manufactured unit available
• Continuously settable direct-dial controls permit quick parameter changes and viewing of output voltage, current, and battery voltage – No wading through computer-style menus and buttons to set up or view parameters
• Continually variable channel rate, capable of producing new experimental high frequency pulse rates
• Separate optional elapsed time display
• Uses readily-available, standard single 12 volt sealed lead acid battery, 12 or 18 amp-hr lead acid or 12 amp-hr lithium
• Battery externally accessible to permit rapid field changing – Battery terminals electrically isolated from output
• Non electrically-conductive enclosure, backpack frame, and battery support bracket
• Automatic output voltage control compensates instantly for variations in water conductivity and user changes in pulse rate and duty cycle
• Output voltage LED monitor – Front panel LED intensifies with increased output voltage and duty cycle, flashing with every pulse at very slow pulse rates to verify delivery of high-voltage pulses to output connectors
• Electrically isolated output and tilt detectors (approx. 60°) with fast electronic shut-down for user protection – Additional water immersion detector shutdown for “vertical falls” in water where user does not bend over far enough to activate tilt
• Digital LCD display that meters peak output current, peak output voltage (rather than average values), or battery voltage (selectable by three-position panel switch)
• Built-in or remote resettable LCD timer option to accumulate actual shocking time in minutes and seconds or all seconds (hour/hundredths of hour also available) – Timer display is separate from metering display so both time and voltage or current are immediately viewable
• Electronic short-circuit and over-current protection with audible and visible fault identification for tilt/water immersion, over-current, and low battery voltage conditions
• Alert tone during pulsing with variable volume control – Optional hi-intensity LED also available that lights during pulsing
• Optional red LED on cathode pole lights up to indicate peak current through the water of 0.1 amp or higher, OR an optional increase in operating tone sound volume when peak current is 0.1 amp or higher
• Optional remote ON/OFF watertight power switch box locates switch low on side of backpack frame for easy user access
• Construction allows rapid field replacement of printed circuit board and inverter power module with standard screwdriver
• Military-style, field repairable Amphenol connectors on anode and cathode cable plugs that mate with control box
  

QUADRAPULSE Option     

A unique pulse waveform option.
For the ABP-4 

• QUADRAPULSE is a unique pulse waveform available as an option on the ABP and Badger electrofishing systems
• Cuts battery drain by a factor of 3 – 4 for any given voltage and duty cycle setting, allowing use of a lighter battery or substantially extended shocking time in the field
• Most effective in cold water streams, particularly trout streams
• This pulse waveform typically is as effective as conventional pulses with less chance of producing a hard narcosis
• Fish stunned briefly by QUADRAPULSE often will recover in 2 – 3 seconds after releasing the anode switch –This possibly might require an adjustment in netting technique
• Light stunning may result in a lower morbidity or mortality rate over conventional pulses, particularly at high peak current levels –This has been reported but not scientifically evaluated
• Harder stunning may be achieved by holding the pulsing button on for a longer period or increasing the voltage or duty cycle
• Trout in particular will be less likely to be swept away by the current due to premature stunning as they approach the anode