Electric fence charger testing

[Paddy]

Peaches are coming on and I'm having electric fence issues. last night I was testing the fence and found I was not getting a pulse every second, maybe every 4 seconds. The charger is clicking/light flashing every second.
I used the tester on the fence and "sometimes" I would get a full reading. Other times I would get nothing just holding the tester. I even touched it with the back of my hand and nothing. Tried again and got a shock.

Then I disconnected the the hot lines from the charger and tested from the ground lug to the hot lug, nothing. Then using an insulated bar I touched the ground lug and slower moved towards the hot lug. It would pulse every second but it had to be within 1/8 of an inch. I have seen it jump a gap of 3/8 inch in the last few days though.

Is this controller dead?

 

[Roadworthy]

It's obviously not dead but should probably be in intensive care. If you can't repair it replacement time may have arrived. The old mechanical fencers had a replaceable vibrator can thing but the newer ones are all solid state.

 

[Paddy]

I see a charger at Tractor supply that is a bit higher energy, I get it and zap the 'coons"

 

[bullbreaker]

What brand of charger are you running ? Also is it electric/ solar / or battery powered ? Any pics of your set up ?

 

[WM75Guy]

They do go bad. If it is a solar charger you can replace the battery and see if that helps. If not, get a new one.

 

[bmaverick]

I see a charger at Tractor supply that is a bit higher energy, I get it and zap the 'coons"

I noticed when sever electrical storms come thru the area, even a few miles out, the fence energizers would tank. It didn't matter what brand either. Got tired of replacing them. I then found the Zebra brand has a lightening resistance add-on. Since adding them, I've no longer needed to replace the units. The units are getting very pricey too.

 

[ponytug]

@Paddy The reduced spark gap suggests a dying charger, as does the irregular timing.
We have used Fence Fixer to repair our older Gallagher units twice, and he was very helpful, quick, and not very expensive.
REPAIRS | Electric Fencer Repairs | Fence Charger Repairs

FWIW: We installed lightning arrestors on our electric fence when we set it up, complete with separate grounds set 10' into an area of soil that stays damp. Despite lightning strikes near enough to take out the utility electrical power transformers over several miles, there was no effect on our charger. We used a Gallagher model that is adjustable;

Adjustable Electric Fence Lightning Diverter G64800 | Gallagher Charger | Gallagher Electric Fencing from Valley Farm Supply

Buy Here! Lightning Diverter Features Diverts lightning from the fence to the earth to protect the Energizer. Can withstand multiple lightning strikes. Easily adjustable

gallagherelectricfencing.com

So, yes, another vote for adding a lightning arrestor.

Premier1 Fencing recommends a lightning diverter/choke every 1/2 mile;

Galvanized Lightning Diverter

Reduces risk of lightning damaging an energizer by redirecting the energy to the ground.

www.premier1supplies.com

We don't have one, so I can't comment.

All the best,

Peter

 

[bullbreaker]

Lightning Diverter/Arrestor Snakeoil ?

Anybody here ever use a "Lightning Diverter" or porcelain " Lightning Arrestors" , on their electric stock/horse fence units ? The claim here though not 100% fool-proof there suppose to "save" fence chargers . Never have used them on mine and was wondering if they work or are just snakeoil or...

www.tractorbynet.com

I started using a L Diverter after this thread some years ago , and I have had pretty good success down here in sw Fla .
We get lots of electrical storms BTW. Not 100 per cent foolproof but good cheap semi alternative insurance.
Dang worth a try imo for someone interested in it .

 

[ponytug]

Lightning Diverter/Arrestor Snakeoil ?

Anybody here ever use a "Lightning Diverter" or porcelain " Lightning Arrestors" , on their electric stock/horse fence units ? The claim here though not 100% fool-proof there suppose to "save" fence chargers . Never have used them on mine and was wondering if they work or are just snakeoil or...

www.tractorbynet.com

I started using a L Diverter after this thread some years ago , and I have had pretty good success down here in sw Fla .
We get lots of electrical storms BTW. Not 100 per cent foolproof but good cheap semi alternative insurance.
Dang worth a try imo for someone interested in it .

Very cheap insurance in my book...

All the best,

Peter

 

[bunyip]

We have found that the capacitor fails in energisers and is not an expensive fix, also look for signs of leakage around the perimeter such as debris between wire and ground source, we found ants in an insulator that gave us problems and water droplets can do the same.
You haven't mentioned how long the run is and can the energiser cope, with our multiple runs we total about 2 miles but the enegiser can handle 20, so they claim and we also have some solar units on small confines that are not always used.
Ours are Gallagher and generally quite good.

 

[ponytug]

We have found that the capacitor fails in energisers and is not an expensive fix, also look for signs of leakage around the perimeter such as debris between wire and ground source, we found ants in an insulator that gave us problems and water droplets can do the same.
You haven't mentioned how long the run is and can the energiser cope, with our multiple runs we total about 2 miles but the enegiser can handle 20, so they claim and we also have some solar units on small confines that are not always used.
Ours are Gallagher and generally quite good.

Given the similarities in the climates, we went with Gallagher because they have such a good reputation down under.

All the best,

Peter

 

[kenmac]

This is the charger I use. It has been the best charger I have ever bought.
It isn't cheap but it's the largest they make.
They make smaller ones ( less Joules) that cost less.

 

[bullbreaker]

Kenmac very familiar with the Cyclops line , Any cowpoke , rancher , buckaroo, hired hand etc , that accidentally urinates on that 41 joule Boss will instantly be transformed into a female . Hey for fun have you ever tried to figure out how much $ per month it cost to operate it if its on 24/7 . Maybe $18 ? Just a wild guess

Cyclops Boss, 32 Joule, 110V AC Powered Energizer | Free USA Shipping

Order Here! The Cyclops Boss, 32 Joule - 110V / AC Powered electric fence charger / energizer / fencer. Very high power output. Best Price and Free Shipping!

cyclopsfence.com

They come down some in price @ one time they were near 1K

 

[Paddy]

OP here, I'm embarrass to say it was a faulty tester! The new one was arcing the same at the charger. Both had about an 1/8 spark jump. The tester was erratic. I took the tester and the chargers, new and old to a dark room. The tester lights were very dim, but I could see them in the dark. All 5 lights were pulsing, meaning full juice.

The explanation why I was shocked one time and not the next was likely touching it between the one second pulses.

I cut a pc of 12 gage wire and now can ground one end and hold the end close to the wire and watch the arc. The 1/8 inch was measured at the charger, so 1/8 or close at the fence, means it's working just fine.

I hope to keep my peaches

 

[ponytug]

Congratulations!

FWIW: I have a cheap fence volt meter that I find very helpful to diagnose charger and fence faults. Something like this;

Fence & Battery Digital Tester

All-in-one fence tester checks the voltage of energizers, fences and 12V batteries. Simplify electric fence troubleshooting with one device!

www.premier1supplies.com

Amazon.com: Mingya 9.9kv Digital Fence Tester Fence Voltmeter for Livestock : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Buy Mingya 9.9kv Digital Fence Tester Fence Voltmeter for Livestock: Agricultural Fencing - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I am curious what your fence set up is like to "keep your peachesl, and what you are trying to keep them from. We have ongoing troubles with fruit stealers in the form of coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and possums, not to mention birds, and I am definitely in need of a better way.

All the best,

Peter

 

[5030]

Kenmac very familiar with the Cyclops line , Any cowpoke , rancher , buckaroo, hired hand etc , that accidentally urinates on that 41 joule Boss will instantly be transformed into a female . Hey for fun have you ever tried to figure out how much $ per month it cost to operate it if its on 24/7 . Maybe $18 ? Just a wild guess

Cyclops Boss, 32 Joule, 110V AC Powered Energizer | Free USA Shipping

Order Here! The Cyclops Boss, 32 Joule - 110V / AC Powered electric fence charger / energizer / fencer. Very high power output. Best Price and Free Shipping!

cyclopsfence.com

They come down some in price @ one time they were near 1K

Big 10-4 on that. Cooks your hot dog instantly.

 

[Paddy]

Ponytug,

First, I'll tell you what I have and the critters we had aimed to keep out at the time of building. Our first issue was with the deer. We live on a lake surrounded by deep forests. We had 6 ft dia cages, 5 ft tall. The wire is welded 2 x 4 in openings. That reduced the browsing significantly. But a huge pain to prune and shape the trees. As you might know, peach trees are pruned to an open center, so trees are 7 ft tall by 15 ft wide. Peach trees grow so fast we had to ditch them spring of year 2.

We decided to go with the electric fence. I had read that the main issue with E-fences was keeping the grass away so not to reduce the zap. So I took those cages and cut them into 20 in strips. Those fence strips were run along the bottom of the posts and the E-wire every 6 inches above up to 5 ft. It was amazing, no more deer. In fact, we hardly saw them any where near the home. Then, the raccoons moved in, got tired of the trap and shoot method. This was off season of fruit but they were climbing our porch posts to get bird seed. I ran a second hot line under the entire length of my deck. From there each post top got a "halo" held out by 1/4 in fiberglass rods. The posts are steel luckily so already grounded. No more 'coons' on the deck or fruit trees.


What critters we have now and the mods I would make. Over the last two years after loosing our local 6 ft black snake, the darn chipmunks moved in. They can jump right through the 2 x 4 in wire fence. They take a pea sized bite out of the green fruit, sometimes pluck and drop. Either way, the fruit is mostly bad. Between mouse, rat traps and a combo of 4in sewer pipes/jack Russel terrier, we have reduced the problem. Killed maybe 10-15 this year.

After years of having squirrels happy to steal from the bird feeder and stay out of the orchard, they moved in. I have shot and trapped 10 in one week.

If I could turn back the clock, I would have used a smaller mesh to keep out small critters, chipmunks and squirrels. Forcing them to climb the fence. Then using a fiberglass rod to hold the first hot wire 1-1/2 in away from the fence wire top. Also, fence could be taller to reduce weed wacking.

 

[ponytug]

Thanks, that's very helpful!