Solar powered fencers

[jemski]

Anyone use them? Any recommendations? All my batteries are on their last legs, had 2 good leisure batteries but one got nicked and the other dropped off the quad last night and cracked [emoji30] so was thinking of trying solar power instead.... Was tempted by the kiwikit one at south sheep
http://www.kiwikit.co.uk/pel-702s-solar-energiser/ but have no idea!!!! Any help gratefully received!

 

[llamedos]

I would be more tempted with a new leisure battery and a separate cheap solar charger, if you are in an area where this stuff gets stolen.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I use them, or more accurately I use a solar panel on a standard fencer.
You still need a battery.

The one in your link is a very small, low output fencer that would keep your horses in but wouldn't be much cop for sheep.

Don't know what fencer you have, but cheapest way if you're happy with the power of that is to get a solar panel off ebay or elsewhere on tinternet.

 

[multi power]

I use them, or more accurately I use a solar panel on a standard fencer.
You still need a battery.

The one in your link is a very small, low output fencer that would keep your horses in but wouldn't be much cop for sheep.

Don't know what fencer you have, but cheapest way if you're happy with the power of that is to get a solar panel off ebay or elsewhere on tinternet.

We have a few of them and they have plenty of power, keep cattle in on stubble turnips in winter no problem, but like anything from kiwi kit they are expensive

 

[Paddington]

Seems expensive for only 0.15J output. You can get a Chinese 10W solar panel off fleabay for £30 ish and a car battery for £5 from the scrapper, not a leisure battery, but with the solar panel topping it up should last a few weeks (if the sun shines !).
Perhaps an unearthed metal box holding the fencer and battery connected to the fencer but with a hidden switch would deter Mr Pikey ?

 

[multi power]

A tractor battery and solar panel will do the same job

 

[Poorbuthappy]

We have a few of them and they have plenty of power, keep cattle in on stubble turnips in winter no problem, but like anything from kiwi kit they are expensive

Sheep are a different story to keep in than cattle. I can keep cattle in with any old fencer. Not sheep.
That fencer is only 0.15j output.
I'd want minimum 2j on anything but the shortest run for sheep. I've no doubt the kiwikit stuff is good, and there's some good sized fencers with panels in the rated products on that link, though, as you say, expensive.

 

[Romney_Rob]

We use a 50kw solar panel bought off eBay and just crocodile clipped to the battery/fencer - it's brilliant will keep a leisure battery topped up all summer

It was only £50

 

[Danllan]

Using a Hotline Firedrake here, very good indeed. It is self-contained so you jus charge it when new and then the built-in solar array keeps the battery topped up. I think I only needed to bring it in for recharging from the mains a couple of times during the winter, certainly no more than three times. It has a couple of settings so it's fine for sheep /lambs and cattle / followers. Best tip I can give if you are using one is to put a second earth stake in. Very good kit.

 

[Philip Watkins]

We use a 50kw solar panel bought off eBay and just crocodile clipped to the battery/fencer - it's brilliant will keep a leisure battery topped up all summer

It was only £50

50kw, are you sure about that?

 

[Romney_Rob]

.....50w doh!!

 

[spin cycle]

isn't the problem with solar fencers that they overcharge/dry out the battery?

 

[Poorbuthappy]

isn't the problem with solar fencers that they overcharge/dry out the battery?

Not if you have one with a charge regulator.

 

[Pan mixer]

My leisure battery is nearly 2 and has a panel charging it all the time, no idea what size, still does 10Kv according to the rappa thing. It is in a hopefully 'traveler proof' box bolted on the trailer here - just posted this picture on another thread so it easy to find to post again.