Solar Energy Home Page - Solar Fence Charger

Solar Fence Charger - an Electric Fence Charger Makes Solar Powered Electric Fences Possible

- plus 10 mistakes to avoid in order to get the best out of your solar electric fence and charger system.

Solar powered electric fences are not really that popular yet, because most people are not aware that they are easier to install than the generic electric fences.

Let's take a look at why this solar panel, charger, and battery system just might be your best choice in animal and large-area electric enclosures!

Reliability?

Some people worry that solar powered fences work only during sunny days.

On this page:

10 Mistakes to Avoid

Insulators
Grounding
Positioning
Wire Distance
Charging
Animal training
Post Spacing
Voltmeter
Metals
Inspection

Which to Choose

However, having a solar fence charger makes these fences work

all day long,
at night, and
even during cloudy days.

A solar fence charger comes with a rechargeable battery, from which the fence draws energy when the sun isn't out.

These systems are usually quite expensive, but your savings is in the long term.

The convenience of the minimal maintenance required to keep a solar powered electric fence running quickly makes up for the difference in price.

10 Mistakes to Avoid With Solar Powered Electric Fence and Charger

If you are planning to install a solar powered electric fence, try to avoid these common mistakes to make the technology work for you:

1. Using poor quality insulators

Choose high quality, durable insulators and try to avoid using plastic because sunlight can melt it or shatter it.

Look for insulators that are painted black because these can resist damage done by ultraviolet rays.

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2. Inadequate earth grounding

You would have to invest on galvanized ground rods, about six to eight feet long and several good ground clamps.

Not having adequate grounding means weaker shocks and a less effective electricity charge.

3. Solar panels not positioned correctly

Since your panels draw their power from the sun, your solar powered electric fence would not work if the solar panels are facing the wrong direction.

Put your solar panels in an area that receives the most sunlight, and follow the instructions on the installation guide, which usually comes with the package.

4. Improper distancing of wires

Like many farms, Angelic Organics power their electric fences with small solar panels.
Photo by Jessica Reeder

Wires should at least be five to seven inches apart.

Don't use wires that are too small, especially if your fence extends for long distances.

For a 20 mile hot fence, you should use at least a 12.5 gage wire.

5. Insufficient charger

Buy the right size of solar electric fence charger for your fence, especially if you have a big area to cover.

Otherwise you will not get the right amount of solar energy to power up your fence.

6. Poor animal training

Parmak DF-SP-LI Solar Pak 6 Low Impedance 6-Volt Battery-Operated 25-Mile-Range Electric Fence Charger

Your animals need to know that your solar powered fence is dangerous.

One way to do this is to set up a handy training fence, preferably installed on wet, heavy soil.

Lure the animals to approach the fence by using hay. After a few minor shocks, they will understand that they have to keep off the fence.

7. Inadequate spacing in between fence posts

Some may think 50 foot space in between solar powered fence posts is enough.

However, a good 80 to 100 feet is more ideal.

With this distance, the wire will just pop back up when something touches it and not knock down the posts to the ground.

You can use inline-strainers to straighten the wires between posts without stretching them too tight.

8. Not using a voltmeter with your solar fence charger

A voltmeter is necessary to know exactly how "hot" the solar powered electric fence is.

If your fence is not hot enough, animals may still cross over it.

9. Using various metals

When you use a steel wire and hook it up with copper, metal corrosion will result and the shock power of the fence will weaken.

10. Not checking the fence regularly

Fences tend to loosen up through time and without checking them regularly.

Make routine checks, switch off the solar fence charger and repair the loose ends.