Solar Powered Electric Fence Chargers
What is a solar fence charger?
One of the simplest ways to protect farm animals or our property is to install a low-wattage electric fence. However, we will need a charger to keep that form charged and ready at all times.
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Solar fence chargers are a great way to charge and maintain an electric fence with solar energy.
This power source can be used in rural areas or on farms as there is no need for access to grid electricity, making it perfect for those who want their animals safe from predators without having any worries about the expense of maintaining this type of property.
A solar fence charger is a way to go if someone wants to save money in the long run and use green energy. These chargers are built to endure harsh weather conditions such as rain, snow, and hail.
Although solar electric fences are merely a psychological barrier, they must be built to withstand the strain from both animals and the environment.
The energizer’s size is critical, and it must be large enough to handle the length of the fence as well as the sort of animal being controlled.
Why Solar Powered Fence Charger?
Controlling household animals and cattle requires the use of an electric fence. When you build an electric fence, the animals or cattle that come into contact with it, will receive a low damage shock and will remain contained within the fence.
At the same time, it is critical to keep wild creatures such as foxes and wild dogs off our property so that cattle are protected.
In a lot of cases, there are not any AC outlets available and installing a charger for the electric fence nearby becomes difficult or impossible. Furthermore, if we believe that we can transport AC wires to link the fence to the charger, be aware that this can be quite inconvenient, notably in terms of dependability and expense.
So, Installing solar electric fence chargers is crucial in keeping electric fences powered up. As it is powered by the sun, the electric fence will not run out of power. Similarly, costs can be saved by avoiding the installation of AC wire across meadows.
Working of Solar Powered Fence Charger
Solar fences chargers work in the same way as regular electric chargers. When an animal or human comes into touch with the metal, both produce a surprising electrical shock that is transmitted through the fence.
Although the shock is harmless, it is intended to be shocking and unpleasant. However, there is a distinction in how the charger is charged.
A solar charger is equipped with a solar panel. This solar panel, also known as a photovoltaic cell panel, is made up of a grid of cells that collect solar energy. This solar energy is subsequently converted into usable electrical current, which is used to power the rechargeable battery fence charger.
The battery powers the grounded Energizer, which sends a single pulse of electric current down the fence every second. The circuit between the fence and the ground is completed when an animal contacts the fence, and the animal receives a short, harsh, but safe shock.
Fog, snow, rain, ice, bird droppings, and dust can all hinder the panel’s function, but the battery’s stored power usually suffices to overcome these obstacles. To allow the Energizer to charge the wires effectively, the fence must be kept clear of unnecessary debris.
Solar Energizers come with a variety of characteristics, but a basic feature is a flashing LED light that signals the item is working properly with each pulse of electricity.
Solar Powered Fence Chargers and Other Electric Charger
Electric fences are available in three different configurations: grid-connected, battery-connected, and solar-connected.
The incoming charge is converted into a safer form of electricity by an electric fence charger in each device. The way the charger is powered differs between the three. Instead of an AC outlet or a conventional battery, solar electric fences use sunshine to power the charger.
- Solar Powered Fence Chargers
The majority of solar-powered electric fences are used on farms or in isolated places where access to the electrical grid is difficult. They are used to keep unwanted animals out of a garden or to keep cattle or livestock contained in a field.
When an animal gets into contact with one of the live wires on a solar electric fence, it receives a shock. Solar chargers require batteries, which are regularly recharged by the sun.
- Other Electric Charger
Regular electric fences are either A/C or battery operated. A/C fences are hooked into an outlet that takes power from the grid.
Most experts favor A/C-powered electric fence chargers if you have access to power because they are less expensive and easier to maintain. A/C or battery-powered variants, like solar electric fences, can be used to limit cattle or keep nuisance animals out of gardens.
Comparison between Solar Powered Fence Chargers and Other Electric Chargers
As we have discussed, both solar-powered electric fence chargers and other electric chargers are used to keep unwanted animals out of a garden or to keep cattle or livestock contained in a field.
We can do a comparison between solar-powered electric fence charger and other electric chargers as follow.
- Working Principle
Solar-powered electric fence charger uses solar energy to charge the battery while regular electric fences chargers take power from the grid.
- Location
Solar-powered electric fence chargers are mostly used in isolated places where access to the electrical grid is difficult while regular electric fences are used where access to the electrical grid is easy.
- Initial Cost
Solar-powered electric fence charger has higher initial cost as compared to regular electric fences.
- Operating Cost
Solar-powered electric fence charger has lower operating cost as compared to regular electric fences because energy obtained from sun radiations is free while there is the cost to get power from the grid.
- Reliability
Solar-powered electric fence chargers are more reliable as compared to regular electric fences because solar chargers require batteries, are recharged by the sun, and have a long time while regular electrical fences are useless during a power outage.
- Powerfulness
Regular electric fences chargers are more powerful as compared to solar-powered electric fences because regular electrical fences produce more electricity and are capable of powering larger areas.
- Weather Dependency
Solar-powered electric fence chargers depend on the conditions of weather to get energy while regular electric fences chargers are independent of weather and get energy from the grid.
- Suitability
Solar-powered electric fence chargers are more suitable for remote or far away locations while electric fence chargers are more suitable for urban or near to the grid locations.
- Maintenance
Solar-powered electric fence chargers have less maintenance as compared to electric fence chargers.
- Safety
Solar-powered electric fence chargers have more safety as compared to electric fence chargers.
- Efficiency
Regular electric fences chargers are more efficient as compared to solar-powered electric fences because they are powerful and produce more electricity.
- Cost
Solar electric fencing typically costs $0.10 to $0.20 per foot while conventional electric fences have generally cost between $0.50 and $1 per foot. So, we can summarize the above discussion as follow.
| Sr. No | Parameter | Solar Power Electric Fence Charger | Other Electric Chargers |
| 1 | Working Principle | Uses solar energy | Takes power from the grid |
| 2 | Location | Isolated places | Near to the grid |
| 3 | Initial Cost | High | Low |
| 4 | Operating Cost | Low | High |
| 5 | Reliability | More | Less |
| 6 | Powerfulness | Less | High |
| 7 | Weather Dependency | Yes | No |
| 8 | Suitability | Remote location | Near to grid locations |
| 9 | Maintenance | Low | High |
| 10 | Safety | High | Low |
| 11 | Efficiency | Low | High |
| 12 | Overall Cost | Low | High |
Comparison of parameters
We can compare solar-powered electric fence charger and conventional electric fence charger for the important parameter as follow.
| Sr. No | Parameter | Solar Power Electric Fence Charger | Conventional Electric Chargers |
| 1 | Initial Cost | Higher | Lower |
| 2 | Operating Cost | Lower | Higher |
| 3 | Reliability | Higher | Lower |
| 4 | Powerfulness | Lower | Higher |
| 5 | Weather Dependency | Higher | Lower |
| 6 | Suitability | Good | Good |
| 7 | Maintenance | Less | More |
| 8 | Safety | More | Less |
| 9 | Efficiency | Less | More |
| 10 | Overall Cost | More | Less |
Advantages of Solar Powered Fence Chargers
Solar power fence chargers have the following advantages.
- It provides flexibility to set the fence anywhere we need.
- These are ideal for temporary fencing and can be changed to other place without much fuss.
- Electric fences powered by the sun are environmentally beneficial. These do not consume fossil fuels to maintain fence line as they are powered by sunshine.
- A solar fence charger is perfect for life off the grid and wants to stay that way.
- Many rural communities, as well as many urban ones, struggle to maintain a steady supply of electricity. A solar-powered fence charger can keep your fence functional at all times and gives protection from power outages.
- Some farm properties are so large that running electrical connections to such far-flung locations is prohibitively expensive. A solar fencing encircles entire property in an cost effective manner.
- Solar powered fence energizers have enough battery life to last up to many days without sunlight when completely charged.
- Although, these have higher initial cost but save money in the long term as these are not plugged into the grid.
Disadvantages of Solar Powered Fence Chargers
- They have higher initial costs.
- They are weather dependent and depend on the solar radiation of the sun.
- It is not suitable for powering fences over long distances.
- They are less powerful as compared to the regular electric fence charger.
Conclusion
Solar-powered electric fence charger uses solar energy and majority of solar-powered electric fences are used on farms or in isolated places where access to the electrical grid is difficult.
Solar power fence charger has an advantage over the regular electric charger in terms of low operating cost, reliability, overall cost, and safety.
However, they have higher initial costs and depend on weather conditions. If someone wants to save money in the long run while also using green energy, a solar fence charger is a way to go.