Benefits of a Solar Fence Charger

Electric fences keep animals out of a field by running an electric current down the length of the fence and can efficiently be powered by a solar fence charger.

The fence is designed to keep animals out of an area, for instance to prevent wild animals from eating crops or garden plants. It can also be used to manage livestock in pasture rotation and temporary grazing.

How a Solar Fence Works

An electric fence uses an energizer, wire, and a grounding rod to distribute a charge. The solar panel charges up a battery for the fence. The energizer takes electricity from the solar fence charger and pushes it down the wire towards the grounding rod. This will give anyone touching the wire a light shock, enough to use in controlling animals.

Benefits of Using a Solar Fence charger to Rotate Grazing

Farmers can grow healthier animals and use pastures more efficiently with an electric fence. Animals rotate grazing from one paddock to another, grazing on at least six small pastures for one week at a time, until they start the rotation over. Rotating the grazing keeps pastures more evenly trimmed. This provides many benefits:

Animals walk shorter distances, damaging fewer pastures. Animals graze more thoroughly, including on weeds, and fertilize pastures more evenly. Paddocks rest between exposure to animals, allowing faster regrowth and better long-term health.

Other Benefits of a Solar Fence

Solar powered fences keep animals where they should be. Besides grazing animals, electric fences can keep pets in a safe area around a house. They can also protect those pets from predatory wild animals. Electric fences also can protect trees, crops, gardens, and yards from wildlife by keeping animals out of a given area.

Why Choose a Solar Fence Charger?

A solar fence charger is a far better option than a conventionally powered charger. Solar fences are much easier to use in rural areas because they do not need to connect to a grid and so can be deployed anywhere, even miles from an outlet or generator. They can be easily transported, from remote farmland to suburban gardens.

Solar fences do not need conventional power and so you need not worry about power outages or storms disrupting the supply. As they get power from the sun, they do not add to the electricity bill and have no operating costs except the labor of moving them. And no worries about clouds and winter weather--most chargers can work for two to three weeks of no sun.

How to Assemble a Solar Fence

Without proper assembly, a solar powered electric fence will not work. The first step is to figure out the desired length of the fence, the size and number of animals to be contained. More animals and animals with thicker hides require more voltage, and the longer the fence is, the larger the battery will need to be.

When buying a solar fence charger, investigate whether the solar cell and battery can electrify the entire fence. They can be obtained at many hardware or farm supply stores and may come with a wire, solar panel, and battery. With some systems, however, you will need to buy each component separately. Make sure not to use barbed wire, either.

When assembling the fence, always wear rubber-soled shoes and rubber gloves to prevent being shocked. Place the solar panels in a place where animals can’t get to them, and hook them up to the charger and the fence. In rocky or dry areas, a separate ground wire may be necessary and then you are ready to go. If working with livestock, you will need to train them first.

Animal Safety With an Electric Fence

Electric fences produce a mild jolt. Which is not dangerous or especially painful but is sufficient for keeping animals away from the fence. This seems preferable to barbed wire fences which cause a great deal more injury.

Although the electric jolt is not harmful, it is important to be mindful when animals first encounter the fence; some may respond by trying to run through or over the fence.

Once animals are exposed to the fence, they will know not to go near it again. People are similar: it will not harm anyone and is similar to touching a hot stove, but electric fences should generally not be placed where people might run into it.

Cost of Solar Fences

A fence solar charger costs about $150 to buy, while the wire adds just a little more to the price tag. In total, however, this is a very reasonable and cost effective way to keep animals contained and plants safe. Especially in rural areas, solar fences might be even better than traditional electric fencing.

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