Solar Energisers

[poiuytrewq]

I've just popped in for a coffee break from repairing fencing! Horse wasn't where he should have been this morning.
He is a known escapee and I thought I addressed the issue by posts in-between posts. However we are back to it. I checked the battery and energiser and whilst there is power i think it needs a charge. Can't find a charger anywhere though and feel i need to be more self sufficient! (its the farms charger so is never here when i need it)
So, i thought about solar, i thought chargers, i thought they trickle charged the battery that worked the energiser but a quick google tells me its a 3 in one unit, they are also more expensive than I'd expected.
Are they worth getting? How much daylight is needed to keep it charged and working?
Also, obviously the higher the better but they measure the pulse in joules and appear to go from 1 up to about 9- is the lower end completely useless?

 

[rabatsa]

I use two Gallagher S20 energisers here. I charge them up by sitting in the open for a couple of days without them using any current, then away they go. Very occasionally in poor weather I have to take them off line and let them charge up again. They do all summer and most of spring/autumn here without needing a charge though.

 

[poiuytrewq]

That’s interesting. I just read that they don’t work over night. Surely they must? Maybe they mean doesn’t charge which I would say obvious but the fence would still work wouldn’t it?

 

[rabatsa]

My fences are still respected by the sheep and donkeys so I am thinking that they are still powering the wire overnight.

 

[tda]

I have a small solar panel connected to my leisure battery which keeps it topped up. I don't think there is much you can do to increase the zap

 

[SEL]

Make sure the ground where your earth stake goes in is wet. A bucket of water makes a big difference

 

[w1bbler]

I have a solar panel attached to my old car battery, its been working like that for a couple of years without requiring any extra charging, including through winter

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

I’ve got a Rutland ESS400. It has a very good punch and is light and easy to carry around unlike a car battery. You can take the battery out and charge it up to give it a boost if necessary which I only do if it hasn’t been used for awhile. My battery lasted about 2 years before no longer holding a charge I think this was because I didn’t use it for a few months as field had solid fences. New battery off Amazon for about £30

 

[GinaGeo]

We have one of these.

VOSS.farming Solar Energiser "Sunny 200", incl. 12V Battery + Mains Adapter

<ul class="checklist"> <li><strong>PROFILINE</strong>: professional grade energiser, high quality materials, feature-rich, 3 year warranty³</li> <li><strong>12V lead-acid battery</strong> and <strong>2.5 W solar panel</strong></li> <li><strong>LEDs</strong> for monitoring energiser and...

www.electric-fence.co.uk

It’s been great and keeps the fence running. The only time we had an issue was when we brought it in for the winter and the battery ran empty.

They replaced it under warranty and it’s been outside and running the fence constantly for the last two years. Like all batteries they like to be kept fully charged.

It gives quite a belt

You can charge it up off the mains as well if you need to. And I did initially, but haven’t needed too since. It runs the fence overnight too, but obviously the battery isn’t being charged up then.

 

[FestiveG]

We have two solar units and use them all year round. They are excellent and given the price of batteries they are cost effective.

 

[honetpot]

You just buy a solar panel to charge the battery, the best are now even cheaper, a Monocrystalline Solar Panel, get one with clips, and if its under 100w its doubtful you will need a controller. I got one without a frame, made of plastic, and it kept the battery topped up for most of the summer.on seven acres of polyrope fencing two strands.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25608553...DsOEnHD5zIQfRv4XOiSPPo0ZEd|tkp:Bk9SR4rP27TNYg​

 

[Snow Falcon]

Can I ask if you need to do anything else apart from just attach the panel to the battery leads? I am thinking one of these, if not two, would be useful to charge my batteries instead of bringing them home.

I have been looking at the solar units but vet bills and a new purchase have left me a bit out of pocket for one.

 

[poiuytrewq]

You just buy a solar panel to charge the battery, the best are now even cheaper, a Monocrystalline Solar Panel, get one with clips, and if its under 100w its doubtful you will need a controller. I got one without a frame, made of plastic, and it kept the battery topped up for most of the summer.on seven acres of polyrope fencing two strands.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25608553...DsOEnHD5zIQfRv4XOiSPPo0ZEd|tkp:Bk9SR4rP27TNYg​

That’s a cheaper option! So you still
Have your normal energiser, set up with a normal leisure battery, which is also connected to the panels?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

That’s interesting. I just read that they don’t work over night. Surely they must? Maybe they mean doesn’t charge which I would say obvious but the fence would still work wouldn’t it?

Ours work overnight, the horses live out! Sorry no idea what make they are but they came from Amazon

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Duplicate

 

[tda]

That’s a cheaper option! So you still
Have your normal energiser, set up with a normal leisure battery, which is also connected to the panels?

Yes I got my solar panel from Halfords £25
Connect energiser clips onto the battery terminals, the solar panels clips clip onto the energiser clips.
The place I got my battery from did advise me to take it and fully charge it once a month,