Solar Fence Charger: The Complete Buying Guide

Solar fence charger is a unique electric fence charger that uses solar power. It is one of the most prominent electric fence charger options available today. Various electric fence chargers are available in the market today, and solar fence charger is one such option.

However, before making a choice, it's vital to understand what a solar fence charger is and how they work. In this blog, we're talking about the various types of solar fence chargers with their key components, pros & cons, and maintenance tips so that you can make an informed decision.

What is Solar Fence Charger?

Solar fence chargers are powered devices that use solar power to energize electric fences. They require three components: the fence charger, a battery, and a solar panel.

Most solar fence chargers do not come with lightning diverters or grounding rods, so you must provide them yourself. You can purchase a solar fence charger without a battery, so you'll have to supply one yourself.

These devices can help you create safe and secure animal enclosures without using harmful electric fencing practices. They're an affordable and environmentally-friendly option for anyone looking to protect their pets from harm.

Types of Solar Fence Chargers

Solar Panel Fence Charger

Solar fence chargers can be used to energize electric fencing but are more expensive than 110-volt. They often include a lightning diverter or arrestor, which protects the solar fence charger from lightning strikes.

In addition, the solar fence charger must be grounded to ensure its integrity. Grounding rods are usually required to maintain the integrity of the fence and solar fence charger. Finally, most solar fence chargers do not include a battery, so you must provide one yourself.

Solar-powered electric Fence Charger

A solar-powered electric fence charger is a useful piece of equipment for maintaining the safety and security of your livestock. These chargers can provide electric fence energization from a solar panel to energize Fence. They have three components: a fence charger, a battery, and a solar panel.

Typically, fence chargers can be powered by either a direct electrical source or a solar cell. For example, some fence chargers have built-in solar cells that directly convert sunlight into electric energy to energize the Fence.

Portable Solar Fence Charger

A portable solar fence charger is a device that provides power to an electric fence or other high-voltage electrical system. Portable solar fence chargers require a lightning diverter or arrestor for protection from lightning strikes.

This protection helps ensure the safety and integrity of the solar fence charger and the Fence it is charged to. Portable solar fence chargers also typically include grounding rods to maintain the integrity of the charging system.

Key Components of Solar Fence Charger

A solar fence charger is a device used to energize electric fence energizers. Most solar fence chargers do not come with a lightning diverter or arrestor, though it is recommended to have one installed.

Solar panel

A solar fence charger typically requires three components:

• The fence charger itself.
• A battery.
• A solar panel replenishes the power to the battery as it is consumed.

In addition to solar panels, solar fence chargers may require other components, such as a lightning diverter to prevent static discharge from damaging electronic devices and grounding rods to help keep electric fences grounded on the mile.

The solar panel of solar fence chargers can be tilted on a swivel mount to ensure that it faces the sun throughout the year, thus maximizing efficiency.

Battery

Depending on the needs of your operation, consider solar fence chargers with batteries that range from 0.15 joules to 0.50-joule capacity. Zareba battery size varies depending on the power and energy required by the solar fence charger and the warranty duration.

By choosing a solar fence charger with enough battery capacity to handle your fencing needs, you can reduce the risk of damage to your electric Fence and ensure safe animal containment.

Control circuit

Most solar fence chargers do not come with a lightning diverter or arrestor, making them vulnerable to lightning strikes. In addition, if a solar fence charger is not properly grounded, it could be damaged or destroyed by a lightning strike.

Therefore, to ensure the safety and longevity of your solar fence charger, it is best to install a ground conductor at the battery terminal and a separate ground electrode at the solar fence charger itself.

Fence charger unit

Fence charger units are typically powered by 4, 6, or 12-volt DC batteries and come in three self-contained models. The three models are:

• The PF-150-S12 (0.15 joules, 2.5-watt solar panel, 7 amp internal battery).
• PF-250-S12 (0.25 joules, 5-watt solar panel, 7 amp internal battery, and 110-volt charging port).
• PF-500-S12 (0.50 joules, 10-watt solar panel, 12 amp internal battery, and 110-volt charging port).

Factors to consider when choosing a Solar Fence Charger

A solar fence charger is an excellent option for protecting your solar panels during the day, but it requires careful consideration to get the best protection.

Type of livestock to be controlled

Solar fence chargers contain large animals such as cows, horses, and deer. Therefore, they can effectively contain large animals on farms and ranches. Additionally, solar fence chargers can restrict the entrance of cattle, horses, deer, and other animals.

To control these animals effectively, Zareba solar fence chargers typically require a lightning diverter that safely discharges the electric current when there is a potential for a lightning strike nearby.

Grounding rods are also recommended to maintain the integrity of solar fence chargers and prevent them from overheating or malfunctioning.

Size of the property

When choosing a solar energizer, it is important to consider the size of the property being charged. Different rates may apply to properties of different sizes. Therefore, property owners must be aware of the size of their property to understand what charges will apply to them.

Furthermore, properties of different sizes may be subject to different regulations and charges. So, property owners need to contact their local authority for information about the size of the property and any applicable charges.

Weather conditions

When choosing a Solar Fence Charger, it's important to consider the weather and other factors affecting its performance. For instance, look for a solar fence charger with built-in lightning protection and RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) suppressed circuitry to reduce noise on radios and televisions.

Also, invest in low-impedance technology with a long warranty to ignore weeds and save energy. Additionally, consider investing in a lightning diverter or arrestor for added protection.

Voltage output requirements

When protecting a solar fence against livestock, it is important to ensure reliable protection from the fence energizer. Solar fence chargers use 4, 6, or 12 volts of premier DC batteries.

It is recommended to use 12-volt units for reliable protection. Solar fence chargers require an output joule per joule of Fence energizer to power the Fence energizer and protect livestock.

This means that an energizer with a higher voltage will require a higher output joule to achieve the same level of protection as one with a lower voltage. As such, choosing solar fence chargers with the appropriate voltage rating is important.

Price

Solar fence chargers are an investment that can help save you money on your electric bill. However, they are more expensive than fence chargers that use 110V power due to the additional components needed.

These chargers require a dc battery, solar panel, and charger to work. They also cost more per watt of power than fence chargers due to the added costs of using solar power. But for some homeowners, solar fence chargers are worth the expense.

Brand

A fence charger is a vital component of any electric fence system. Therefore, choosing a solar fence charger that meets your specific needs and requirements is important.

When shopping for a solar fence charger, it's crucial to consider the type of Fence being charged, its warranty, and the size of the electric Fence.

The premier solar fence charger with low impedance should be able to handle the power requirements required by the electric Fence. It is also essential to charge a fence charger with an IMD (integrated battery) or an external battery instead of relying on the internal battery in some solar fence chargers.

Maintenance Tips for Solar Fence Charger

Regular Inspection

It is very important to regularly inspect a solar fence charger to ensure it works properly and identify any potential issues. Regular inspection includes checking the lightning diverter, arrestor, grounding rods, and battery.

Additionally, solar fence energizers come with a 3-year warranty that covers lightning damage across miles, making regular inspections all the more important. Check for RFIFinally, check noise on radios and televisions to ensure your solar fence charger is working properly.

Cleaning the Solar panel

Use a soft brush, water, and mild detergent to clean solar panels. Avoid any abrasive material or hard brush that may damage the panel. Instead, rinse the panel with fresh water and dry it with a soft cloth.

Regularly check solar panel packages for any damages or defects. This will help ensure the long life of your solar power system.

Maintaining the battery

Solar fence chargers typically do not include a battery and must be provided separately. When picking out the best one for your needs, consider factors like the voltage rating, battery life hours rating, and charging time.

Investing in a lightning diverter or arrestor to protect the charger from lightning strikes is also a good idea.

Troubleshooting common problems

A solar fence charger is a vital part of any solar electric system. They are used to power electric fence energizers necessary for the electric Fence to work.

However, solar fence chargers are vulnerable to lightning strikes and should be protected with a lightning diverter or arrestor.

In addition, batteries are often not included in solar fence chargers and must be purchased separately. Gallagher solar electric fence chargers have the best performance indicators, lightning protection, and RF suppression, making them more efficient than other options.

Pros & Cons of Solar Fence Charger

Pros

Solar fence chargers are ideal for remote locations without access to an electrical grid. They capture solar energy and convert it into a usable form, such as electric current.

These chargers work by charging your Fence using solar power during the day and storing the energy in a battery at night. They require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for remote locations.

Additionally, solar fence chargers can be used with large and medium-sized animals. This solar Fence energizer, is cost-effective and can save money regarding fencing costs. They are also easy to install, requiring no grounding rods.

Finally, solar fence chargers are a great way of protecting your Fence against damage caused by high-voltage pulses from lightning strikes.

Cons

Solar fence chargers come at a much higher cost than traditional AC-powered ones and are not practical for large areas that require a lot of wiring.

In addition, these chargers require regular maintenance and cleaning, such as ensuring the solar panel is free of dust, dirt, and debris. Finally, solar fence chargers depend highly on the weather and can stop working in cloudy or rainy conditions.

Bottom Line

Solar fence charger is a battery-powered electric charger that helps keep livestock from straying. It uses solar power to charge batteries, which power electric fence energizer modules.

The charger also allows you to monitor the Fence's condition and location remotely via a mobile app or website. Besides helping you manage your livestock well, solar fence charger is environment-friendly.

It doesn't require any upkeep or input from you other than placing it in the best possible location for solar power. So if you're looking for an electric fence charger that helps save time and money on maintenance, a solar fence charger may be right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Solar Fence Charger last?

A solar fence charger typically lasts 1 to 3 years without any year's warranty. It's important to note that grounding rods can help increase the longevity of a solar fence charger.

In addition, batteries are necessary for most solar fence chargers and need to be replaced periodically. However, solar fence chargers can last long periods with proper maintenance and care. Read up on properly maintaining your solar fence charger before investing in one.

How do you connect your electric Fence to a Solar Fence Charger?

To connect your electric Fence to a solar fence charger, you must invest in a lightning diverter. This device protects the solar fence charger from lightning strikes while grounding it to maintain its integrity.

Most solar fence chargers do not have batteries, so you must provide your own. It would help if you connected the solar fence charger to the electric Fence using the appropriate wiring. Make sure to consult the instructions or specifications of the solar fence charger to ensure compatibility.

Finally, ensure that the solar fence charger is rated for the energy the electric Fence requires.

Which one is better: solar or electric Fence Chargers?

Both solar and electric fence chargers have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your specific needs and situation. Solar fence chargers are powered by the sun, so they don't require electricity or wiring.

They are generally easy to install and can be placed in remote locations where access to electricity may be limited. However, they may work better in areas with low sunlight, such as in heavily shaded areas or during cloudy weather.

Electric fence chargers are powered by electricity and can be more powerful than solar chargers. They can provide a more reliable power source, especially in areas with inconsistent sunlight or during periods of low sunlight.

However, they require access to electricity and may be more expensive to install if you need to run electrical wires to your Fence.

Do Solar Fence Chargers work at night?

Solar fence energizer work best during the daytime when there is plenty of sunlight. However, since solar fence chargers require sunlight to charge and power the Fence, they will not work at night.

Therefore, batteries are needed to ensure solar fence chargers run without sunlight. Solar fence chargers are relatively easy to install, but 110-volt fence chargers are recommended over solar chargers due to the power-to-cost ratio.