Battery Fence Charger

[Alan W.]

Can someone tell me a good battery powered fence charger. I have had 2 from Southern States die on me in the last year and half. I am hoping to use one battery powered but ifn there are no good ones I will run electric out to the fence.
If electric is the best choice what brand and model.
Now I am only using it to keep critters from the garden and chicken run, but in the future I will be having some larger animals to keep in.
Keep in mind I dont want to fry my chickens

 

[oosik]

Tell you a sad story here - Alan. I used electric - battery powered - fencers for about a mile of electric fence. I got mine at local Ace Hardware and on a couple they actually lasted two years. I think they all had a bad case of - engineered obsolescence.

So I finally went to a web site that evaluates these and I ended up with a Parmack Magnum. It was right around $225. Its got a solar panel that recharges the battery - so its great for any really remote location. You might want one of their lighter powered units - this one is likely to fry your chickens.

 

[Alan W.]

oosik I looked at one TSC sells, did not appear to be small critter safe but looked like it would keep elephants in and had a 3 year warranty.
Is it too much to ask for one to shick good and last more than a year

 

[toddcan]

Cyclops electric fence chargers

 

[japody]

I have 4 Parmaks. Have used them for years. Only issue is that batteries have to be replaced every 4 - 5 years. Batterysharks.com has the batteries for $16.70. That's about one third of the price of a Parmak branded battery and lasts just as long.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I have a Patriot charger that I bought about ten years ago and has been in continuous use for about five years, no problems. It's knocked me on my *** a few times. I have it hooked up to a battery and then a "Battery Tender" charger keeps the battery charged. We lose power fairly often and the setup keeps the fences on even when the power's out.

 

[FTG-05]

oosik I looked at one TSC sells, did not appear to be small critter safe but looked like it would keep elephants in and had a 3 year warranty.
Is it too much to ask for one to shick good and last more than a year

This might help: <a href="http://www.zarebasystems.com/learning-center/animal-selector/poultry-chickens-turkeys"></a>

 

[Alan W.]

Thanks all for the input. I am looking over the various specs prices and warranty. The unit I have started working again. Usually means its on borrowed time.
The unit is a Parmak sold inder the Southern States label. First one died after moisture got to it some how. Replaced under warranty. Even with a good ground in damp soil, I have never seen a chicken get shocked by it or the one it replaced.

 

[thekkfan]

Personally, I like fried chicken. :licking:

 

[rd_macgregor]

My wife has been talking about expanding pasture for the horses and the prospective sites don't have power nearby. I've been looking at the various solar-powered/battery units. Here is a review I found (I was a bit perturbed at how many have water leakage or condensation issues):
Best Electric & Solar Fence Chargers (September 218) - Buyer`s Guide Note that they don't talk about battery life, which was the OP's original complaint. By the way, if you really want to fry the chickens, it looks like the 32 joule Taylor Cyclops is the way to go!

Gallagher I can buy locally, or order a Parmak or Zareeba...now, I just have to decide.

 

[Spindifferent]

These:
Fence Energizer Kits - Premier1Supplies

 

[RUSTBUCKET BRONCO]

Kencove Fence Energizer 13 Joule This the one I have with the remote. The remote is great. I have 15 acres all fenced with 5 strand hi-tensile wire. As long as you have a great ground these are great. When the ground really starts to get dry I switch to the older style chargers which aren't as ground sensitive. but the remote only works with these

Rust

 

[RalphVa]

I've been using typical TSC battery powered fence chargers here for 18 years. The earlier ones were rather like the old automotive ignition systems. Think they had real points in there that made it go off and on. I'd have to send them back to the factory about every 6 months to be rebuilt.

Then around mid 2000s, they came out with electronic ones. I'd started with separate chargers, battery and solar panel; so, I continued with just the fence charger. I ran it off a cheap 12v utility battery that was kept charged by the solar panel. That electronic charger went for 6 or 7 years. Got a new one in place now. I keep the battery in an old plastic bucket mounted to the 6x6 post that the solar panel sits atop.

Somewhere along the line, I put a little battery tender between the solar panel and the battery to avoid overcharging the battery, as it only lasted 2 to 3 years. Well, it quit; so, now I've the panel connected directly to the battery again like a did for about the first 10 years.

Oh, I see the name of the ones I've been buying: Zareeba.

Ralph

 

[cmyoung2]

Second this, I've used their stuff for years,good stuff, good service,good people

These:
Fence Energizer Kits - Premier1Supplies

 

[QRTRHRS]

Kencove Fence Energizer 13 Joule This the one I have with the remote. The remote is great. I have 15 acres all fenced with 5 strand hi-tensile wire. As long as you have a great ground these are great. When the ground really starts to get dry I switch to the older style chargers which aren't as ground sensitive. but the remote only works with these

Rust

I usually set up a fence with five rows of wire, making the fourth row up from the ground a ground wire. Then I add extra ground rods around the fence line. The theory is that livestock are likely to touch the top two rows and the discharge does not have to return back to the charger and ground via dry ground yet the lower rows will still work that way. I also set up my main ground with three rods not just one.

Good maintenance is a must for any electric fence to be effective both structurally and plant growth wise.

I have not been around any battery backup chargers nor any of the more expensive solar chargers but I have set up a less expensive solar charger for a friend and was not impressed. Nor do I find the ratings that great for the length of a fence for chargers in general. IMHO, I do a pretty good job in terms of insulation and good connections when I set up a fence yet when I size a charger, I find that I need to size much higher.

 

[HardyM]

This Fi-Shock ESP2M-FS solar-powered electric fence charger is an excellent choice for those looking to buy a top-notch solar powered electric fence for garden usage. In our case, I specifically purchased this device because I found it suitable for containing rabbits, chickens, and other pets. It was indeed troubling to contain small animals before, so we feel so lucky to discover this solar fence charger as it made our farm life more manageable. We now have peace of mind that our pets won’t be lost anymore.