Solar Electric Fence Storage Question

[hunterridgefarm]

Hello Fellow TBNers

I put up a solar electric fence earlier this year around 2-3 ac of veggies to keep the deer out. It worked great. I put it up rather quickly in 1/2 day and decided to take it down for the winter as I plan to rotate the garden spot next spring.

I did not want to leave the charger at the field since it is 1/4 mile by trail from the house and I don't get down there much in the winter except for the weekend.

I currently have the charger on a shelf in my garage but thought it may be better to leave it outside so the sun could keep the charge up. This is the first solar charger I have had so I don't really know if it would make that much of a difference, after all it was at Southern States for a couple of years in storage.

Does anyone know which way would be best, or does it really matter.

It is the same as the pic attached.

Thanks
David

 

[hawkeye08]

does the manual offer any help on storage? If not, then consider the battery type used (it does have a battery, right?)

NiCad, they develop memory if not fully discharged and fully recharged and they don't like to be on charger all the time.

NiMH, like NiCad, but without memory problem so much.

LiION, no memory and like to be kept charged.

good luck!

 

[MicroPilot]

That charger, like most I've seen, uses a Gel type lead acid battery.

Here is a link to the OEM for your charger that describes the storage procedure.

Parker McCrory Mfg Co

 

[hunterridgefarm]

does the manual offer any help on storage?
good luck!

My first choice was to check the manual. However, I put it up where I knew I would not forget where it was. I have not forgotten where it is...I just can't remember where it is

Second choice TBN

 

[hunterridgefarm]

That charger, like most I've seen, uses a Gel type lead acid battery.

Here is a link to the OEM for your charger that describes the storage procedure.

Parker McCrory Mfg Co

Thanks Micro!!

 

[hawkeye08]

That charger, like most I've seen, uses a Gel type lead acid battery.

Here is a link to the OEM for your charger that describes the storage procedure.

Parker McCrory Mfg Co

Never even crossed my mind, of course gel cell would be logical... good fit for this app.

 

[impdaddy]

David. Would love to hear more about the fence. like how many strands? spacing of strands? spacing of posts? length of fence, solar charger particulars, 2 sets of fences or 1? Approximate costs. My wife and therefore me knows we need something for the deer next summer. Any help is appreciated.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[hunterridgefarm]

David. Would love to hear more about the fence. like how many strands? spacing of strands? spacing of posts? length of fence, solar charger particulars, 2 sets of fences or 1? Approximate costs. My wife and therefore me knows we need something for the deer next summer. Any help is appreciated.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

For the last few years deer had destroyed most of our crops. I do not have access to electricity at the field and had thought about the "Plot Saver" spray but decided the solar electric was the way to go. I purchased the 12 volt system form Southern States for around $220 +/-. I don't remember how much the wire was but I bought 3 rolls of the 1/4 mile medium gauge. I had some T post but purchased a few more 8 footers. I think when it was all said and done I spent $400-$500. But I also had some other supplies I had bought. But remember I was fencing in 2-3ac with plans to do 4 ac.

I spaced the 8' T post around 30' apart and had 6' T post between them. I used two strands of electric. One strand was about knee high and the other was a few inches above waist high. On the top of the post I strung bailing twine.

I left the fence off for two weeks to let the deer get use to going thru it. Once the crops started poping up I turned the fence on and you could see where the deer walked up to the fence and abruptly stopped:laughing:. After a month or two I saw where one or two deer had gotton in during a thunder storm but they did not hang around to munch on anything.

This worked great most of the spring and summer. This was the first year we got okra, peas, and greenbeans. I had several long rows of each, 200' rows and none were eaten:thumbsup:. Later in the summer I had a few deer get in but none bothered the crops. Once the crops are established they don't seem to damage them.

Next year I will put the T post closer together to prevent the fence from saging. But I may use it up at the house for several raised beds I am putting in. I may just plant cover crops this year and give the field and me a break.

If you want more info, let me know.

Later,
David

 

[MicroPilot]

...Next year I will put the T post closer together to prevent the fence from saging. ...

There are also various kinds of wire tensioner for electric fence. The fence wire tends to stretch a bit over time, and with a tensioner it's just a matter of taking up a few inches of slack.

 

[impdaddy]

great info guys . Thanks,:thumbsup::thumbsup: