Electric fencing not working - what could it be?

[ktj1891]

I have a small amount of fencing up in my field, definitely no more than a 100m. I have reasonable tape with only one cut in it which is held together by a connector. I have a hotline Gemini 120 energiser and just bought a new 12v 90ah battery. The fence is ticking away and has a current although not a hugely strong one (I touch it with a blade of grass) however about half way down the fencing the current completely runs out. Anyone have any ideas why this is? I’m getting a bit frustrated with trying to get my fencing to work properly and not sure what I am doing wrong?

 

[windand rain]

maybe the earthing either on the energiser or stuff earthing your fence touching wet wooden posts or weeds is the usual reason or the unit isnt earthing properly espcially if its not very deep or if the ground round it is dry or loose

 

[TigerTail]

Damaged tape that has been stretched or pulled?

Longer earthing stake and pour a bucket of water over it(with the electric off!)

 

[BeckyFlowers]

Do you have an earth stake? If your stake isn't deep enough or the ground is too dry around it (as mentioned above) the voltage will not make it all the way along the fence, ie the further away the fence is from the power source the less "zap" there will be in it.

 

[ktj1891]

The earth rod is about 1m in the ground. I will try some water. Tape isn’t in bad nick as said just one break in it held together by connector. No vegetation touching tape either.

 

[meleeka]

You can buy fence testers quite cheaply. That would tell you if there’s a break somewhere. Otherwise It’ll be your earth.

 

[popsdosh]

First check output with a tester between fence connector and earth line with no fence attached dont assume because its ticking that the unit is working correctly. Any unit running for a length of time direct to earth will damage the output in an otherwise healthy looking energiser. Dont bother with buckets of water as I doubt if anywhere in uk is to dry at the moment for earthing not to work. If the unit checks out its a fence line break or most likely shorting problem. We have many 10s of miles of electric fencing and the most common fault is a short to earth usually caused by something shorting the fence direct to ground even a small piece of wire touching another fence is a favourite for that.

 

[Antw23uk]

Mine was the earth being too short.

 

[cauda equina]

Even in healthy looking tape, the wire strands can become damaged and unable to conduct.

A fence line tester will tell you the voltage that's running through the tape, rather than just on/off so should make it easier to diagnose the problem

 

[Notimetoride]

In time the metal strands woven into the tape break (metal fatigue). Just get a fence tester and starting at the unit, keep testing the fence every metre or so to establish where the break is. Then just cut out the damaged bit and reattach the 2 new ends. Also make sure you're not earthing it by tying the tape to a wooden fence, or by long grass or bushes touching the tape.

 

[Hallo2012]

earth would be my guess.................my tape is the most rubbishy ancient knotted and re knotted load of crappola, and there must be miles of it, and i tie it to the post and rail and let the hedge touch it and theres ALWAYS a decent zap.......................except the one winter the ground was mega dry and i just need to wet the ground round the earthing stake a bit

 

[ktj1891]

Okay I will look to re-put in the earth stake, how far down should it be? It's about 1m in at the moment. Where can I get a fence tester from?

 

[tristar]

i always test the fence from the furthest point of the fence , ie the other end and work backwards, get a fence tester so you can see the volts its running at it needs to be a certain level to repel horses.

wet the earth rod every monday with a BUCKET of water.

invest in enough fence posts to make the tape fairly tight so it does`nt blow in the wind a lot, this is the main cause of wire in the tape which carries the current breaking and lowering the strength of the current, and put good posts in on any corner to strain the tape a bit, and tie with baling string to a tree if needed.

 

[meleeka]

Okay I will look to re-put in the earth stake, how far down should it be? It's about 1m in at the moment. Where can I get a fence tester from?

Anywhere that sells electric fence things. eBay or amazon do them too. There are ones ranging from around £10 to quite a lot.

 

[ktj1891]

Okay I have just ordered a fence tester, can anyone talk me through how to test the energizer, battery and fencing?

 

[meleeka]

Okay I have just ordered a fence tester, can anyone talk me through how to test the energizer, battery and fencing?

Start at one end, but the tester on the fence and the little earth bit in the ground. That will tell you if you have a break in the cable. If there’s no/low power to the fence take out some water round your earth rod and retest.

 

[ktj1891]

How do I test the battery and energiser though? i have a Hotline Gemini 120 if that helps.

 

[windand rain]

to test the energiser put the fence tester on the clip that holds it to the fence on the tester or if you think the tape is ok there then on the tape closest to the energiser as you can get. Then you will know if it is the tape or the battery/ energiser combined that isnt working properly that is where you need to check that the system is earthed properly if that is running well then walk round the fence testing at various points to make sure the tape is carrying the current. Best way to test the battery is to try a different one

 

[meleeka]

How do I test the battery and energiser though? i have a Hotline Gemini 120 if that helps.

You can’t really test the energiser apart from obvious damage to the lead and clips. You need someone with a volt meter for the battery. A local garage would be happy to help I’m sure. Just charge it fully and take it and ask and they’ll tell you if it’s holding the charge. If there’s low power and your earth is fine it’s probably the battery.

 

[OLDGREYMARE]

Just thought I would say that when my hotline energiser was not holding it's charge my local mole valley farmers sent it to hotline free of charge. Hotline have a £70 ish standard charge for repairs. It works a treat now.

 

[ktj1891]

Just thought I would say that when my hotline energiser was not holding it's charge my local mole valley farmers sent it to hotline free of charge. Hotline have a £70 ish standard charge for repairs. It works a treat now.

I have had loads of issues with mine previously sent it back about 3 times in total and had it replaced!