Electric Fence Options of Mini Horses.

sseelhoff · May 31, 2014

Gale Hawkins said:
I am leaning towards the 10 mile Zareba for $115.50 with free shipping.

We have the Zareba 2 mile solar charger. Works well. Replaced the battery once.

Gale Hawkins · May 31, 2014

Thanks sseelhoff for your experience. From what I could read most seem happy with the Zaraba chargers. With the 10 mile one 50% off list and $70 less than TSC current sale price I just went for it (listed in bullbreaker post above) and will start reading up on best wire options for this class of solar charger. We had weed burners for the most part as a kid but the first one was a 6v tick tock unit when I was like 6 years old.

Any thought on the wire options would be helpful. I do want to go with something visible so I do not walk into it myself. That was a shocking experience I never learned to not react to.

bullbreaker · May 31, 2014

Even though less visable than poly rope or tape I've always run aluminum 12 1/2 or 14 or 17 gauge wire. Should last longer plus would imagine more conductive than steel wire. Also galvanized wire I imagine would rust.

sseelhoff · May 31, 2014

Gale Hawkins said:
Thanks sseelhoff for your experience. From what I could read most seem happy with the Zaraba chargers. With the 10 mile one 50% off list and $70 less than TSC current sale price I just went for it (listed in bullbreaker post above) and will start reading up on best wire options for this class of solar charger. We had weed burners for the most part as a kid but the first one was a 6v tick tock unit when I was like 6 years old.

Any thought on the wire options would be helpful. I do want to go with something visible so I do not walk into it myself. That was a shocking experience I never learned to not react to.

We use the electrified rope most places. Very visible. Some of it is plasticy, and not good (Tractor Supply stuff). Some feels more fabric like and is easier to work with.

We have also used Kencove Hotcote. It is an electrified wire with a plastic jacket. Easy to splice, and we used tensioners on each end to get it tight. It's pricier than the rope style, but I like it better than the rope. My wife likes the rope due to price.

1

Stafix X-Braid 1

Hotcote<span style='vertical-align: super;'>®</span> Fence Wire White 1320 ft

And even with the visibility of the rope and hotcote, I've still been shocked a few times. It just happens.

bullbreaker · May 31, 2014

Pig Electric Wire Test - YouTube

whistlepig · May 31, 2014

A good grounding set up will far outweigh any charger that you can buy. Chargers are just chargers in my experience. And I have had several.

bullbreaker · Jun 1, 2014

whistlepig said:
A good grounding set up will far outweigh any charger that you can buy. Chargers are just chargers in my experience. And I have had several.

Yes Sir ! No doubt about it. I always keep a batch of 8' heavy duty copper clad rods (not from box stores) handy and might be overkill but use most of the time 3 on the charger 10' apart. Also run this type of diverter , the ceramic ones are one shot deals.

Excuse CB whips in between rod pics. Also hang warning signs in ENGLISH @ various points on fence.

And of course most of us know then theres always the possibility of some lowlife(s) takeing off with solar or battery powered equipment in areas that can't always be visiably managed, like near house.

MikePA · Jun 1, 2014

We have used horseguardfencing products and a Parmak 12v Solar charger. Three strands of white tape is charged all the time. The solar/battery powered charger came in handy when we were without power for 4 days earlier this year. 3 acres has 4" x 4" x 8' PT posts eight feet apart and a 120' 'corridor' between pastures uses T posts, also 8' apart.

whistlepig · Jun 1, 2014

We have a single strand of Ramm Shock tape around the top of a ten acre pasture to keep the horses from riding the fence down. We also have three large movable paddocks made with three strands of Shock Tape. All the connectors are Ramm stainless and although expensive these connectors are maintenance free and should last a lifetime. All of this runs off of one charger. A charger will last us about 4 years. In 35 years of using electric fence we have been through about 8 chargers. I can't see any difference in the brands no matter what the cost and have never developed any loyalties to any brand of charger. Ground should be (3) 8' rods. Connectors the best you can afford. Connectors and the ground make the fence.

Gale Hawkins · Jun 1, 2014

We looked at the model we ordered and different fence wire options until a storm hit and knocked out the lights. After waiting about thirty minutes and still no lights we left with our grease purchase and got mot of the back hoe greased for the most part. When the charge gets in we will set it on the deck and let it fully charge.

We saw some nice stainless steel connectors. I have to admit it is tempting to go with the old wire system.