Newbie w battery elec fencing... Help needed.

[Spyda]

I'm moving to a yard where I will need to set up my own portable electric fenced section for my horse. I haven't a clue what's a good value (but strongly currented) energiser or what else I'll need. I have tall posts already, 20mm electric tape and a few plastic gate handles, but that's all. There are so many versions and types of kit available, I don't know where to start. Would need something to make an easily moveable, square section within a larger field, twin tapes all round for a fatty 15 hand horse. Any suggestions on what are good energisers for this job - he can jump or push through, if fence not 'man enough'.

Thanks in advance. x

 

[supsup]

My tip would be: invest in quality. I've spent twice the money I should have by going for the cheap versions, and have them fail or not do the job.

I'd get:
- a 12V (or 12V/mains combination) energizer with high "output joules". That's a measure of the zap it gives. IMO energizers with internal or dry batteries are just not up for the job if you want a strong zap. Mains would be optimal, of course. I currently favour the HOtline Gemini 120, but do shop around.
- a galvanised earth stake. You want a non-rust stake, deep in the ground and keep the area watered if it's dry in summer.
Those are the two most important things for a good zap.
Then add:
- 2 leisure batteries - always have one charged. Don't bother with old car batteries. They have been discarded for a reason and often don't hold charge well. Or you end up with leaking ones, which will corrode all your clamps/spill acid. Try never to drain the batteries too far (below ~10V). Once they are deep discharged, many so-called "smart" chargers won't even try to recharge them, and switch off. Therefore,
- a quality battery charger with a "repair" function can be a really good investment to recover batteries that have been deeply discharged
- good tape connectors (I like these: http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/...encing-accessories/2-line-connector-40mm.html)
- a fence tester that doesn't just beep at you, but measures voltage. That way, you can tell by walking around your fence where the voltage drops (e.g. if the tape is ageing and the conductors have broken)
- make sure the tape is in good condition and carries current all around

 

[Spyda]

Thank you soooo much. That's just the info I needed.

Big (((((hug)))) for your help.

I'm off to Mole Valley Farmers to see what they've got.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Personally I'd go for a Hotline energiser. I see OP you're SW based, and the company is based at Newton Abbot in Devon. Very useful if you're within striking distance as they will take repairs over the counter (you need to ring first).

I've always had Hotline, as did my late uncle who farmed for years and years. Have always been happy with them.

Can ditto advice re. Fence Tester. If you're putting up leccy fencing then this is the ONE item that's invaluable! (tip: don't leave it lying around at a yard, it will walk!!).

If there's someone who could give you a helping hand the first time you set up your fencing, that would be a great help. I.e. anyone horsey or farmers in the area would give you a helping hand if you asked. Or try a Facebook Smallholders group. Whereabouts are you OP? Coz I'd help you if you're anywhere East of Exeter............ ??

 

[freckles22uk]

Just to add.... a lot of people think the more strands the better, but the zap on 3 strands will often not be as strong as the zap on 2 strands (unless you have an energizer that is more than capable) so if you go for 3 strands of wire/tape, just have 2 with a current going through it, those so its nice and strong.. and again ditto on a fence tester with the voltage, and check the whole fence. I actually do use car batteries, but I have a solar charger on mime (in Spain so sunny 90% of the time) so I never have to charge mine on the mains.

Most companies that sell them will give you a guide to the size energiser you need

 

[Spyda]

Personally I'd go for a Hotline energiser. I see OP you're SW based, and the company is based at Newton Abbot in Devon. Very useful if you're within striking distance as they will take repairs over the counter (you need to ring first).

I've always had Hotline, as did my late uncle who farmed for years and years. Have always been happy with them.

Can ditto advice re. Fence Tester. If you're putting up leccy fencing then this is the ONE item that's invaluable! (tip: don't leave it lying around at a yard, it will walk!!).

If there's someone who could give you a helping hand the first time you set up your fencing, that would be a great help. I.e. anyone horsey or farmers in the area would give you a helping hand if you asked. Or try a Facebook Smallholders group. Whereabouts are you OP? Coz I'd help you if you're anywhere East of Exeter............ ??

Have sent you a PM.

Thanks everyone for your continued in put. All such helpful advice. xx

 

[dibbin]

We're still in the process of putting our fencing in!

I'd also recommend a Hotline energiser. We have the LC120 which can run on either mains or a battery, we ran it on a leisure battery for about 2 months before we got the cabling finished for the mains and we were getting 7-8 kV all the way round the field (2 strands of polyrope round just under 2 acres).

DEFINITELY buy a fence tester, we have a Rutland one (think it was about £40) which actually tells you the fence output.

If your fencing is going to be long term/permanent, you might be better off getting polyrope as opposed to tape. It carries current better and is likely to damage itself because it flaps less. Ours was £49 per 400m reel. There are cheaper ones, but as ours will be permanent fencing we decided to go for the highest spec one. We bought 4 reels but haven't quite used up 2 - we've only fenced half our land so far.

All of our electric fencing stuff came from www.ukcountrystore.co.uk, I can't fault their selection or speed of delivery and the prices are good.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

To add to the above, try to pick up 4 to 6 chestnut (or similar) 2 to 3 inch round wooden posts, 6 ft long, also enough tape holders to fix onto.
If you put these on each corner and on the 'gate' then the fence will stand up to a lot more wind bashing etc
As its so wet, the posts ought to slide in by sledgehammer.

 

[LD&S]

Before you decide on tape or rope give some thought to accidents, rope is very strong and should your horse try to go through it unlike tape which likely will break the rope won't and could cause very serious injury.
In addition if it is a very windy area the wider the tape the more the wind will get behind it and stretch it.
We use electric fencing a lot and luckily we have two well mannered horses but we only ever electrify the top strand which means the battery last quite a bit longer.

 

[freckles22uk]

Before you decide on tape or rope give some thought to accidents, rope is very strong and should your horse try to go through it unlike tape which likely will break the rope won't and could cause very serious injury.

You should see the amount of repairs in mine horses have gone straight through and snapped it a fair few times (polyrope).. little darlings... mind you half the time Ive not got it turned on

 

[dibbin]

You should see the amount of repairs in mine horses have gone straight through and snapped it a fair few times (polyrope).. little darlings... mind you half the time Ive not got it turned on

At our old livery yard Jazz went through a polyrope fence that wasn't on and cut his hind cannon down to the bone, which is why ours is always switched on when the horses are out and tested regularly! Ours very quickly suss out if a fence isn't one and once they know, they have zero respect for it.

 

[GoldenWillow]

Which energiser you need will depend a lot on the length of fence line you need, all the energisers tell you the max length of fence that they will manage. I use a hotline hobby with a leisure battery alternating with a tractor battery and it puts out 6000v according to my line tester which is enough to keep my Shetland where he should be, which I've found is a good test for any energiser I've had!

 

[Dry Rot]

Google is your friend. Go to the better known manufacturers' sites if only to read their instructions. Gallagher, Hotline, Electric Shepherd, etc. If you can understand the theory behind building a good fence, it wil answer al your queries. I strongly recommend setting up a small training paddock with a short length of fence giving a good whack. My own permanent electric fencing is off half the time and none of the ponies go near it to test it! (Nor me!!!). Animals tend to repeat what they discover they can do if it is to their benefit. Start out as you wish to continue.