Don't Buy a Solar Fence Energizer, Build Your Own!!
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- čas přidán 30. 12. 2020
- Ive made the mistake of buying a premade solar fence energizer from the farm store. Its inadequate, underpowered and really not fit for any real farm fence system. The cost per joule is too low.
With the system I design and build in this video you get more power, 3.0 output joules which the pre-made units can't get close to.
If you want to copy this system, the links for the products are below. Follow along with the channel to see how this one works over time. I will make periodic updates if I make changes or something needs to be updated. The links below are amazon affiliate links.
You will need all of these items to build the same energizer. If you have any questions let me know. You may need more or less depending on your situation.
100W Solar Panel
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Solar Charge Controller
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Patriot Fence Energizer (Dual Purpose 12v or 120v)
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Patriot Fence Connection Cables
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Solar Panel Connectors
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
For the battery any deep cycle battery with over 150AH will work. Go to your local auto parts store or tire center. If you would like to order one online here is one that will work. There are many types of batteries, this one is an AGM which will have a longer life than the flooded acid battery that I used.
12V 100AH battery for solar
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Great Job! I really enjoy your videos. You also did a really good job telling the story this time too!
Thank you! Im learning and working to make each one better.
Simple and effective, easy diy.
Champion 👍🍺🍺🍺🍺
Thank you! Will be using your design!
Thanks! So far it’s been great. If you live in a place where it’s darker for long stretches add another panel and another battery. I’ve got plenty of panel but I feel like I could add another battery to get through the once or twice a year when we have a couple weeks of grey skies.
At our farm we have multiple of these diy solar chargers that far exceed any store bought one. We have four of them ranging from a 1 joule to a 12 joule charger.
We use stafix, (now called speedrite) energizers and they have lasted multiple seasons and we run wire through a lot of thick brush.
General rule of thumb is 3ft of ground rod per joule of energy, and that has to be 3ft worth in the ground, not above.
Also, usually the spacing between them is one or two feet longer than the ground rod itself.
Example, two 6’ ground rods should be placed at least 6’ apart. I learned that lesson on the 12 joule charger. As soon as I spaced them correctly my fence went up 4x energy.
I like that you have more solar panel than battery storage, which is what most pre made energizers lack.
Thought I’d share the knowledge, it’s cool to see everyone’s builds! Great video quality.
Thanks for your input. I tend to go with how the cows interact with the fencing. If they don’t respect it maybe I need more power. What I’ve done here works and they stay away from it.
Thank you for sharing this important information listening from Bangs Texas
Thanks for tuning in!
Thanks for explaining what gets hooked up to what. So many other videos on this topic don’t even say in which order to connect the equipment. So it’s solar panel, to regulator, to battery, to fencer?
My major concern is ground rods. I want to be able to move my unit multiple times a month, but the thought of moving three whole ground rods and driving them back into our rocky soil sounds like hell. Did you get around that somehow?
Since installing this I have moved it around, and upgraded the battery to a FiFePo and added another panel for the dark winter months. When moved I hook the ground to the T post fence and it is enough.
@@yourdeptlogohereany chance your willing to do a update video on this topic?
Great job, but you will need to have your ground rods about ten feet apart. You will notice the difference. It's a hassle having that extra wire stretched out between the rods and back to the charger. If it still isn't up to snuff: add water around the ground rods.
Thanks for the tip. So far the cows respect the fence. When they accidentally touch it they react as if it’s powerful enough. As the summer goes on I’ll monitor it snd make sure we’re still getting the power needed.
I agree, self-contained solar DC units are usually junk. Are used to have a couple of those solar Gallagher S 17’s and they also didn’t last very long the idea the ground rod is the number of feet in the ground so three ground rods not in the ground very far isn’t any better than one ground rod pounded in the ground all the way and then you’re supposed to separate those ground rods by about 10 to 20 feet they act as a large antenna especially as you’re putting more, Jules through a fence line with larger fence chargers
That’s as far as they will go into the ground. More contact over a wider area gives you a better ground and more shock delivered. I don’t even use those anymore, just ground it to a metal fence post nearby.
How much do you spend for all parts and how many hour did you invest?
Thanks for the video. Love your helpers.
Do you think this system would keep deer, raccoons and rabbits out of our vegetable garden?
Deer could possibly jump over, but will definitely stop coons and rabbits. We use electric netting around our garden and it keeps the critters out
Yes with the right kind of fencing. There are many types of electrified fencing that would work with this charger.
Just a thought...a set of wheels would make it much easier to move but otherwise its perfect!
Agreed, but then I’d have to maintain the wheels and axle over time. I just hook this to the mule and drag it long distances.
But in the solar charger from the store, is the solar panel supposed to charge the battery? Cause I have been reading that for some solar chargers the solar panel is only supposed to extend the time in between rechargings of the battery with electricity.
It’s supposed to charge the battery. Thanks for your comment.
I've seen others hook up like you did. By not running the fencer through the charge controller aren't you risking battery life from over discharge? or does the panel charge that well that it does not fully discharge?
Yes that’s correct. The original battery had been replaced by a smart LiFePo that shuts itself off at low charge. My goal was continuous fence charging even at the detriment of the battery. I don’t want cows out, even at relatively low voltage it still provides a shock.
Any update on this? Thinking about building one of my own as well. Just wondering how it had held up now that you've had it for a while. Anything you'd change? Did it keep the charge or did you have to occasionally charge the battery?
Cory, I’ve been using it continuously since I built it. I had to charge the battery one time in the winter due to snow sagging the lines down. We had a rough winter. With that said the batteries were all used. Your results will vary based on sun and the amount you get over winter. You could always add another panel or battery fairly cheaply. I’m going to build another one just like it for my front pasture, and then another for my gate motor. Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.
@@yourdeptlogohere good to know! I’ve been dancing around a lot of brands, joules, etc… I think I like this idea the best. Was mostly wondering if the 100W panel was enough to keep up with the output. Sounds like it did just fine for you. Would you consider using something other than the patriot? Like Premiers or a Gallagher? What made you land on Patriot?
@@corykelley8752 Patriot had the most joules that I could find that would pair with a solar application. If you find something better please share. Now that solar has come down in price even more I would look to get more than a 100W panel for my next setup. There are many options out there. What to look for is the output (I believe in amps) of the panel and pairing that to a solar charge controller that can deal with the panels power output. I believe that I pared the one that I used with the panel I was purchasing, you may have to step up to the charge controller if going with a higher output panel.
@@yourdeptlogohere I’ll let you know. I’m avoiding the Patriot because they aren’t serviceable. Probably end up with a PowerWizard, Cyclops, or Gallagher. I’ll let ya know how it goes.
The store bought chargers don’t pack a punch and they don’t last either
I need to make a fence to protect my bee hives from bears. In total it’ll be about 60 of fence or so, probably 3 strands. How do I know what size panel/controller etc I’ll need?
As Rex said the bigger the better. The system that I used in the video has the ability to get to 3 joules. It will then depend on your battery capacity and state of charge. If you aren’t using solar then you will have more options. Good luck!
Dog Sled
Does water build up along the bottom of the panel?
Is anyone adding a battery switch -- they use these on boats and RVs all the time?
Minimal water builds up. It doesn’t affect performance. I didn’t add a switch, it’s always charging, and the negative alligator clip is attached to the wood if I want it off
Great job?????? Could you please send to me parts details..solar panel + battery + charg regulator...thanks
It uses a renology 10w solar charge controller, renology 200w solar panel. LiFePo 200ah battery. Patriot P30 fence charger.
Any updates on how it is working????
It seems to be fine. Speeds are a little higher overall as I’ve tested it. Latency is about the same, maybe a little less. I’m happy with it.
Had a 12 minute window today with no satellite available.
What battery did you use?
It is a large deep cycle battery, I believe it’s either group 27 or 29. It was used, but still works.
+1 sub in case you start posting again...
the Gallagher charger doesnt have to have sooo many grounding rods. Mine keeps in hogs,,,which need good charge because they test it more than cows 24/7. You didnt show the volts yours is putting out.
Thanks, it puts out between 9000-10000 volts at about .3-.5 amps.
How has your DIY solution worked over the past two years?
It’s worked well. I’m going to make another one for my upper pasture.
Why would you drown out your voice with obnoxious music. Would rather hear what you are saying.
I hate that when they do that. It really makes me want to just skip watching the rest of a video.😔
Your audio sucks and you need to get a better microphone so I can hear what you're saying.
Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully you learned something. As I get more time editing and making videos they will improve.