Solar fence chargers

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Would like to ask those who have used solar fence chargers for their evaluation and experience. (The local farm store carries one brand/one size; suggestions on suppliers or catalogs which carry a selection?) Any particular problems or advantages you have experienced? We use the white electric tape to create 1/2 acre paddocks for sheep and sometimes the cow by using the neighbor's borrowed electric fence charger, and would like to know pros and cons before purchase of a solar charger. Thanks in advance.

-- Peggy Taylor (bptaylor@ccrtc.com), August 31, 2000

Answers

Peggy, We bought one last spring, sold some sheep just to get it. Ours cost $199.00, but it is great. It is 6 volt I think, can charge 10 miles of fence, and solar. We make our own insulators out of #12 elect. wire and that stiff black water hose. We had to have it for the goats. This thing is powerful too, it pops loud when something touches it. I touched it by accident a few times and it made me cry! Supposed to last 14 days without sun. The only time ours gets weak is when the wire is touching something like metal or a big branch. We have to walk the line, and you can hear the pop, pop, pop, where it is touching something. I carry a stick to lift the wire free. I have had pups touch it and they ran but they weren't hurt any. And the chickens fly way up in the air. For goats you need a charger thats for BULLS. We got the biggest wire they had, really thick, don't get the skinny stuff, it won't last at all. We got ours at the local Mill, but Tractor Supply has them, and they have one even bigger than this, and they have a web site. Life has been allot easier since we got it. One thing is if you try to insulate it to a tree or stump that was a tree, it grounds itself and pops, ours is that powerful. We have 3 inline ground rods, box to rod, to rod, to rod. And you have to keep the ground rods in damp dirt. We pour water on the ground if it gets dry. We set ours on a pole about 7 foot high in the open, sunrise to sunset. And you can hear it ticking loud at the box. If it is not ticking loud you have to walk the fenceline. Let me know if I can help more.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), September 01, 2000.

We ahve 2 one for are pigs and one for the cows .I love them both , just remember to ground well and check your fence !

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), September 01, 2000.

We love ours. They make it possible to put a pasture wherever you want one, without worrying about how to get the power out to the fence. Combined with a fencing system that is portable, they also make it possible to do temporary pastures in areas that need cleaning out.

-- Connie (Connie@lunehaven.com), September 01, 2000.

Peggy,

Give me solar over battery powered any time!

I usually buy most of my farm items from Jeffers. ( 1-800-Jeffers for a catalog). They used to have just one catalog, but now they have splintered off into categories, and I'm not as happy with their pricing in the past couple of years though they are still usually cheaper than the local farm store. Several years ago their pricing was way below the local markets on most things. They sell just about everything imaginable - including non-prescription animal medication and vaccines.

-- Judy McFerrin (JmcFerrin@aol.com), September 02, 2000.


Thanks to everyone for your answers to this post. And I appreciate the information on types of wire and where I can check for prices. You have all been very helpful! The sheep will be soooo happy to see a new pasture!

-- Peggy Taylor (bptaylor@ccrtc.com), September 02, 2000.


Peggy, I've had my Parmak solar fencer for many years. Here's some info for you, some of which is good for whatever brand you buy. I've compared the manufacturer's price with Jeffers.

Parmak Solar Powered Low Impedance Fencers

http://www.parmakusa.com/solar2.htm

6 volt model DF-SP-LI $198.75

Jeffers Price $148.75

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12 volt model Magnum 12-SP $359.95

Jeffers Price $261.95 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Frequently Asked Questions

http://www.parmakusa.com/faq.htm

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Underground Wiring

http://www.parmakusa.com/underg.htm

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Good/Bad Installation

http://www.parmakusa.com/outdoor.htm

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Milege Guide

http://www.parmakusa.com/Mileage.htm

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Additional Products

http://www.parmakusa.com/newprod.htm

Check any of these with Jeffers ~ much lower priced. They have a very expensive fence tester (not on this page) for $69.95. Jeffers has one for $2.65. Mine's been working for years!

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), September 03, 2000.


Question for Judy, how does your solar fencer work at night if its better than a battery powered one?.....................JAY

-- JAY (jay@townsqr.com), September 04, 2000.

My solar fencer has a gel battery, that's how they work at night. The same battery has been in there for years. If for some reason you want to store the fencer and not use it, disconnect the battery ~ then it will last. My fencer will work thru 21 days of no sun, but I can't test that ~ I live in the sunbelt!

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), September 05, 2000.

We started out with Red Snapper solar fencers, then we bought a Parmak. We now have 1 Red Snapper left over from the early days and all it does now is sit on a creak gap hot wire that's maybe 300' long. The Parmak's are great, we use the 6 volt ones and they work for our cows and bulls. We've never tried another brand since we've have such good luck with the Parmak's. I think we have 5 or 6 Parmak's now.

-- dave (tidman@midiowa.net), September 07, 2000.

Which of this is recommended to keep deer from garden?

-- Pat (zumende@aol.com), September 07, 2000.


Which of this is recommended to keep deer from garden, please? We plan to use a high fence with utility cloth buried next to it for gophers, etc.. It will rise 4-5 ft high, adjacent to the higher fence, and remain free the top foot or so to allow it to roll outward and "drop" the critter. Want to electrify for deer but don't know where to start. Any help would be appreciated.

-- Pat (zumende@aol.com), September 07, 2000.

This guy has alot of stuff too at really great prices

www.bullseyefencer.com

-- Bryan Maple (bryan@denmar3.com), July 29, 2001.


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