How To Safely Operate A Solar
An electric fence charger generates a shock, right? Therefore, it is important to understand how to safely operate it. Read on!
Before you begin the process of installation of a solar-powered electric fence charger, you need to turn it off. The devices battery will have some charge so it is advised to avoid turning on the device before you connect it to the ground terminals because it can cause an unexpected electric shock.
Once you finish installing the device, we recommend you to leave if for 3-4 days so that it receives direct sunlight to recharge the DC battery. Next, turn on the device and perform the corresponding tests. You need to test your solar-powered fence charger with an indicator light or performance meter.
There are three tests in total. The first one is about verifying the proper functioning of the meter. You need to check whether the meter runs smoothly and measure the increase in voltage to the threshold value.
Next, you need to check the state of the battery and its charging ability. This test will show you the amount of energy in the battery as well as the maximum capacity of storing the charge.
The third and final test is to check the voltage output of the device under normal conditions. Using the meter, the result of the test must indicate the open-circuit value of the charger.
n order to keep the fence system safely or in precise operation, you need to bear in mind the grounding system and its essential aspects.
Fence Wire Use And Weed Conditions
Manufacturers offer at least two types of voltage conditions.
The first one is the open circuit voltage. This is referred to the voltage that should be available in the fence if there is no animal or vegetation touching the fence and should be an indicator for voltage selection according to the animal under ideal conditions.
However, factors like excessive weed conditions or selection of steel, poly tape, rope, or poly wires could lead to important reductions in the effective voltage available in the fence wiring.
Therefore, you must be aware of the fence voltage that the manufacturer establishes under light, medium, or heavy weed conditions. You should also be aware of variations in voltage output according to the type of wire . You may also find references indicating voltage at 500 ohms or 100 ohms. These are referred to the electrical resistance generated by weeds mainly. 500-ohm voltage is referred to medium weed levels and 100-ohm voltage is referred to heavy weed.
A Complete Guide To Solar Electric Fences: Build An Off
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A solar electric fence can be an important tool to protect your animals and livestock while being completely off-the-grid and renewable energy. Solar electric fences are a great form of clean, reliable energy.
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Buying Guide For Best Electric Fence Chargers 2023
We all know that Amazon is the go-to place for online shopping. But before you add that item to your cart, there are a few things you should consider first. Here are some questions to ask before buying anything online from Amazon.
Here are some questions to ask before buying best Electric Fence Chargers online from Amazon:
1. What is the return policy?
2. What are the shipping costs?
3. What are the customer reviews saying?
4. Is the price right?
5. What are my other options?
Gallagher S10 Solar Fence Energizer
- Ideal for temporary gazing applications
- Durable solar panel
- Not the most durable around
The Gallagher solar fence charger is another item not to miss if looking for a powerful and efficient product that delivers. You might want to consider it on your list if you want an efficient fence energizer that can contain your pets or animals.
It is a portable fence power supply that can cover up to three miles just enough for a small fence. It can cover 15 acres of a single wire fence without vegetation. Take note that this item is not just for animal protection but also for garden protection.
In addition, you might want to check it out if you are looking for a temporary grazing application as well. Without even saying, the Gallagher S10 is a versatile choice that you can take advantage of for many applications.
Another thing to like about the fence charger is it is durable and tough for outdoor applications. It is drop resistant and has a waterproof casing. This item also has an integrated lighting protection. All these features promote the good use of this product. Choosing it, you can look forward to long-term use.
This sun-powered fencer is also with a 360-degree mounting on steel posts to allow for is correct positioning towards the sunlight. In addition, this item has an integrated lightning diverter, which might not be available in other products.
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Premier Solar Intellishock Fence Energizer
- Easy to install
- Comes with a manual
- Battery warranty can be improved
An electric fence energizer that is solar powered is used for keeping goats, sheep, cattle, poultry, and horses. It can protect them against stray dogs, foxes, bears, and coyotes. The unit includes a solar panel to charge the battery the entire day.
Fence chargers can reduce demand for energy during high fence voltage of because of fewer weeds getting in contact to the fence.
This happens in winter and fall for most fences. As a result, the Premier Solar IntelliShock units battery remains charged through the days of winter and autumn when there is low sunlight.
The portable electric fence energizer is a 0.60-joule unit that comes ready to power netting or electric fences. The included step-in stake is able to support the fencer.
For seasonal light availability, you can easily adjust the solar panel. It has a battery with a large capacity that is made to increase the life of the panel during long periods of low sunlight like autumn and winter.
This solar fence charger comes with all you need to get started including a lead acid battery and a solar panel. It also includes a polycarbonate case, a galvanized ground rod, a ground rod and a support stand.
If this product is stored and used properly, its battery will last up to four years. This item can also power up to five netting rolls based on the conditions and soil vegetation.
Why Do You Need A Solar Powered Electric Fence Charger
You will be amazed to know the substantial benefits of a solar-powered fence. First and foremost, solar-powered electric fence chargers are not expensive at all. So, they are highly economical.
In some areas or regions where there is no availability of AC power, a solar-powered electric fence charger can really be beneficial. If you opt to install such a charger, you will save yourself from the installation of an AC power unit which indeed will cost you a lot of money.
You can also install the AC power unit and connect it with the fence yourself a DIY project. However, this could be very dangerous and costly. So, the costs associated with the installation of the AC power unit and wiring to project your terrain or wildlife may not be easy.
In addition, AC cables, in this case, are not reliable because they can be damaged by animals, harsh weather conditions, etc. Consequently, your fence wont be charged accurately and you could end up in more problems.
Under blackout, short-circuit, or power outage, your electric fence charger wont get power again resulting in threats such as trespassing or escaping of intruders or animals. When you install a solar-powered electric fence charger, your worries will be gone because unlike AC chargers, a solar-powered charger rarely gets damaged by lightning strikes.
There are a few factors to consider while choosing the best solar-powered electric fence charger. These factors include:
- the battery life,
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Can You Power Other Solar Devices Using Your Solar Fence Charger
Unfortunately, most solar fence chargers output current and energy according to electric fences. And if you try to charge a battery or power other devices, their voltage rating may not be compatible due to which using a solar fence charger with other devices is not possible.
2. Where should you install a solar fence charger for your electrical fences?
To ensure that the solar panel of your solar fence charger is getting enough sunlight, you need to make sure that it has a decent height so that sunlight falls on it for as long as possible. You can also move the solar panel towards the south direction since it will increase the amount of sunlight falling on it even more.
3. How do you connect your electric fence to a solar fence charger?
In order to connect your electric fence to a given solar fence charger, you will need to directly connect stripped wires of your electric fence to the wire ports of your solar fence chargers, While the black clip is to be connected to the ground stake, the red clip gets connected to the fence.
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Premier 113300 Solar Fence Energizer
Many people regard this option as the best solar fence charger for horses because it is primarily utilized for keeping horses, poultry, cattle, sheep, and goats. We are pleased with this investment because it became easier for us to protect our animals against coyotes, bears, foxes, and stray dogs.
Such an all-in-one portable solar-powered fence charger is all set to charge up our fence or netting. This 0.60-joule model comes with a step-in ground stake that provides ample support to the device.
Additionally, this device is built with an adjustable solar panel to allow for seasonal light availability. It is also equipped with a large-capacity battery to ensure extended life, especially during lengthy periods of low sunlight conditions.
This fence charger features IntelliShock technology for more efficiency. It is also designed with a visible on and off light that comes with a low battery indicator.
Please note that you can utilize this device with solar power or an alternative 110-Volt power source. The flexibility of use is quite a beneficial factor for users.
Since the whole kit comes with a UV-treated polycarbonate casing, it is not prone to rust formation. The sturdy overall build of this item is undoubtedly admirable.
- Large-capacity battery and an on-and-off light with a low battery indicator
- No warranty for floods
How Can I Tell If My Fence Is Grounded Properly
A volt meter touched to the ground rods should read less than 400 V. If the reading is greater than 1000 V, another ground rod should be added to the system.
Another sign that the fence is not grounded properly is stray voltage. Stray voltage is a difference in electric potential between two places that should not be different. With improperly grounded electric fences, it is most common to hear a ticking sound over a landline telephone, have problems maintaining an internet connection when the energizer is on, or interference with radio or television reception. Occasionally, poor grounding may send current through other metal items or water lines if cattle are refusing to drink, check that their trough hasn’t been accidentally electrified.
Most problems are caused by not having enough ground rods, installing ground rods in bad locations, or having loose or corroded ground rod clamps.
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Silver Streak 12 Volt Lightning Diverter
Key Features:
The Silver Streak 12 Volt Lightning Diverter solar fence charger is perfectly suitable for containing large animals.
Providing up to 100 acres of contention , this is a good solar electric fence charger with over 2 joules of output . This low impedance technology charger works with a 12volt deep cycle battery which is not currently included in the product, but can be simply installed using clips to get the terminals connected.
Moreover, the EFL solar fence charger includes a lightning protection diverter which has been specially designed to protect the internal circuitry from a lightning strike. Lightning fuses are also included in the product which maximizes protection against this phenomenon unlike any other fence charger.
The product includes a polycrystalline solar panel that is powerful enough to charge the selected lead-acid battery . Notice that it is easy to install by using T-Post mounting brackets.
Gallagher G345404 S40 Solar Electric Fence Charger
This heavy-duty solar electric fence charger for cattle is ideal for a 25-mile range and capable enough to cover 30 to 80 acres of land. If you intend to use it for multiline perimeter fences, you could still obtain a wide range of 5 miles.
We especially like its adjustable power settings. We can set the unit at a rapid pulse at daylight and night time. If you want, you could also select minimized pulse rates for overnight use when your pets are less active.
This device comes with an output of 0.26 joules. The energy that this solar fence charger generates is sufficient to handle small to mid-sized animals like bulls, cattle, horses, and pigs. As for the length of battery capacity, it can sustain our fences power for up to 3 weeks without much sun exposure.
Since we prefer a fence energizer that is durable enough to tolerate rugged weather conditions, this version seems to be the perfect choice for us. This portable solar fence charger for cattle is designed with a convenient carry handle and a built-in lightning shield.
Whether we plan to contain livestock or need to keep away intruders, this solar fence energizer can execute its job well. We also noticed that it is excellent for rotational grazing.
- Comparatively costly price point
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Why Do I Need To Ground My Electric Fence
Just like water, electricity has a current. Electric current is a steady flow of electrons. Much like water runs downhill, electrons move towards a positive charge such as the soil , or the earth terminal on the fence energizer. Metal and water are good conductors of electricity because they hold electrons loosely and are relatively dense, which enables electric current to flow through them.
Electric current needs a circuit of conductive material to flow. A properly constructed electric fence is a potential circuit. Electric current is sent from the energizer through the fence wires. Ground rods are installed and wired back to the energizer. When an animal touches the fence, the circuit is closed, allowing the electric current to flow from the energizer, through the fence wires, through the animal, into the soil moisture, to the ground rods, and back to the earth terminal on the energizer.
Building an electric fence means creating a potential circuit one that closes properly when something touches the hot wire and the soil at the same time. An electric fence is a psychological barrier: cattle learn not to touch the fence because the shock is unpleasant. Untrained animals or a non-electrified fence may enable livestock to go right through the fence, because it is not physically strong enough to stop them. To be effective, both the fence and the ground system must be installed so that they become a circuit, and a practical way to contain cattle.
How Does It Work
Solar fence chargers are beneficial for those who would like to enhance the security in their home or those who live near forests. It is also useful for those who own and raise different livestock.
This is because the fence charger gives an electrical pulse when touched. A0s such, when an animal or person touches it, they can feel a short burst of pain. However, this shock does not cause any physical damages.
Overtime, the solar fence charger acts a strong and effective psychological barrier. Remembering the pain, intruders or animals will avoid coming into contact with the fence to avoid the shock.
The solar fence charger has 5 main components.
The first component is the solar panel that is responsible for the collection and the conversion of solar power into electricity.
The second part is the regulator. This is connected after the solar panel and is likewise important since it regulates the amount of electricity flowing into your battery. With this, you can prevent the battery from over- and undercharging.
Next is the battery and it is responsible for storing the energy converted. How long the solar fence charger will last depends on the batterys charge.
The fourth part is the energizer. This takes power from the battery and distributes it to the whole fence. The size of this depends on the area you want to fence.
Last is the grounding. For a solar fence charger to work properly, it must be stable and grounded properly. Moreover, this is also done for the users safety.
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Understanding Fence Charger Ratings
Determining the rating of any given fence charger is no simple task. This is because theres no single standard for how to determine the amount of power. Are you running one wire? Three? Five? Is your fence obstructed, or is it kept clear? Depending on these factors, the same charger could be used to power a wildly different length of fence line. When reviewing any manufacturer ratings, keep in mind that they usually assume ideal conditions. With all of that being said, manufacturers provide their ratings in three ways: joules, miles, and acres. Heres an explanation of what each one means.
Joules are a measurement of raw energy, equivalent to one watt-second. So a one-watt current delivers one joule of energy over the course of a single second. The problem with this is that its not a terribly useful measurement for electric fences. The current in an electric fence is very low amperage. Think about it. A 7,000-volt current, even at one amp, delivers a whopping 7,000 watts of power! That would be enough to kill any farmer unfortunate enough to brush against it. But electric fences deliver as little as 150 milliamps of power. Remember its the volts that hurt, but its the amps that kill. Its also important to remember that some manufacturers list stored joules, while others list output joules. Output joules are a better measure, since there are other, better measurements of battery storage.
