How to beef up mains electric?

[pixie]

I run mains electric with electric rope. Three strands of rope around the pony paddock. The thick-coated ponies don't seem to feel it when they decide that they want to be on the other side. I've tested the whole length and there is current all along it. I have also made sure that the underneath is clear of grass/anything that could short it.

So I think I must need to improve my unit and/or brand of rope. Any suggestions?

 

[ycbm]

Mine runs at 10,000 volrs, how many volts is yours giving? My energiser was new a year ago and it doubled the voltage.
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[Birker2020]

I run mains electric with electric rope. Three strands of rope around the pony paddock. The thick-coated ponies don't seem to feel it when they decide that they want to be on the other side. I've tested the whole length and there is current all along it. I have also made sure that the underneath is clear of grass/anything that could short it.

So I think I must need to improve my unit and/or brand of rope. Any suggestions?

They probably do feel it but the split second of pain they feel is far outweighed by the prize of nice grass the other side.

 

[pixie]

Mine runs at 10,000 volrs, how many volts is yours giving? My energiser was new a year ago and it doubled the voltage.
.

It is quite old, I'll see if I can find a more accurate tester and see what we're getting. What energizer do you use?

 

[meleeka]

Do you have an earth rod attached, at least 1m into the ground?

 

[AdorableAlice]

Get your earth rods in deeper and pour plenty of water on the ground around them.

Mine is putting 10,000 volts out and it is one heck of a belt as I have learnt on several occasions.

 

[ester]

Yeah you need to know what the output joules of your energiser is.
All rope is not equal, the lower the resistance the better.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

How tight is your fence? It needs to physically hold them long enough to get a real belt. I had one that would put his nose to the floor and dive under the 3 lines fence. In the end I lowered the bottom one and literally wrapped it round every post so no give in it at all. It was anchored to a wooden post each end so as tight as I could get it. Next time he tried it he did get through but got enough of a prolonged shock that he never tried it again. That was good quality string not rope. I haven't found the rope as good.

 

[Goldenstar]

You might need to change your rope not all rope is created equal .
I changed my mains unit as Blue had no respect for the old one so I bought a new one ( the other was old ) and went for a stronger one that did stop him .

 

[pixie]

The earth stake goes as deep as it can, down to stone. It is at the lowest, wettest part of the field.

I'll look into replacing the rope and energiser. What brands are recommended?

 

[ycbm]

It is quite old, I'll see if I can find a more accurate tester and see what we're getting. What energizer do you use?

I have a Rutland mains, I think I bought the one that should do about twice the distance I actually run it for.
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[PeterNatt]

The first thing to do is to check that your energiser is fully earther. Tip some water on the ground and poush the earthing stake in.
Check all the cables from the battery to the energiser and the energiser to the tape.
Then get a proper tester that reads out the voltage output from your energiser. It is the Voltage that is critical.
10KV VOLTMETER - Agrifence UK
If you are not getting an output over 10,000 Volts then you need either a new energiser and/or a new or fully charged battery. As they get older the energisers loose output voltage and batteries also will no longer charge. (Use a Leisure Battery).
Once they are sorted then with the tester check the entire length of electric fencing every10 metres for a voltage reduction. You may need to replace the tape.

 

[PurBee]

Some energisers work for just short distance, some work for long distance - check how far your energiser is rated to electrify. I upgraded my energiser to very long distance a couple of years ago as my fencing system got more complex and more lines!
e.g If youve got 1km of fencing and 3 strands, if you electrify all 3 strands, thats 3km of rope the energiser needs to charge.

 

[PurBee]

Also, any joins you have - if you knot to join the rope, sometimes you get a good powerful connection, but sometimes that knot can be the source of low connection, and failing sections of line, so check with the voltmeter the power surge before and after any knots.
You can get metal sleeves which join 1 rope to another, which are good for keeping the connection strong.

 

[Velcrobum]

Clip their chests so they get a proper zap??

 

[pixie]

Thanks, I'll have a proper look at new energizers.

 

[teddypops]

My mains electric gives such a belt the ponies go nowhere near it. I use a cheap tester off eBay to make sure the power is going all along all the fencing. If you have a knot or join, this sometimes burns out the little wires so no power can get through, so test both sides of any joins. I’m confused to everyone saying they have an earthing stake. I have only ever used one with a battery energiser. Never with a mains electric one.

 

[pixie]

Updated to say that mine has 8,000 volts at the beginning and 6,500 volts at the end (with 4 gateways in between). It seems to be keeping them in at the moment, I think the trouble is on cold, miserable days when boredom strikes!

 

[Lady Jane]

Check your energiser (is it sufficient for your length of fence? 3 ropes = 3 x length). Better rope (lower resistance), a good tester.
I replaced my energiser & rope with Voss products. I got a digital energiser so you can see exactly what voltage you are getting and whether its dropping over a particular join.

My energiser is x 10 the power of my last one and bits of vegetation really make very little difference. It is good for 15k but 3 lines would mean 5k. I only need 3k but have allowed room for expansion. Measure your fence line so you can get the correct energiser.
Voss are helpful on the phone and advised me to buy cheaper rope than I intended (my original choice would keep wild boar out!)

With mains power you really should be able to get the fence strong enough even for determined ponies.

I shriek every time I accidently touch mine.......

 

[MissTyc]

More earth rods! Made a huge difference to my circuit when I added in a few more.

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