solar fence chargers

[aj]

Anybody have thoughts on solar fence chargers. I have used mainly Gallager. I have one pasture with no 110 access. I've used S20, s50 which I don't think they make any more. They have a S100 for sale now that I am considering. I have also used a B60 I think. Do you get better charge with a 12 volt battery and then charge them up all the time with like the B60. I think that there is also a S200 that is like a 600 dollar charger. Any thoughts.....brands etc

 

[aj]

I also found an older B260 and B280. I have heard that you want one with high joule ratings.

 

[beebe]

I use Parmak 12 volt. 

 

[aj]

As I understand it your Parmack puts out three joules. Thats a lot. I may have to try one.

 

[aj]

Are the Parmak 12..........batteries replaceable? Do they burn out.

 

[beebe]

Yes the batteries are replaceable.  Yes they do die.

 

[knabe]

Not sure this is relevant, but grounding is underrated.

If soil drys out, consider running a grounding wire which can be connected to the stakes or at least a series of grounding rods.

I have a series of rods and I am scared frassless to touch it now even in dry weather.

Actually thinking of getting a weaker charging unit.

 

[newguy]

I use a 60 mile staffix and a 100 mile gallerger.both have deep cell batteries with a 100watt solar panel.battery always full and lots of juice .

 

[aj]

I would agree knabe. I have been know to drip 1500 gallon of water on ground rods. It seems like to me that the Gallagers.......solar built in chargers suck. Maybe the battery operated by a solar panel aren't bad. I just bought a 700$ Gallager(fricken insane)........6 joules.....powered by battery. Shoots a good spark. I wanna try a parmak.

 

[newguy]

Buy ground rods and clamps made for them.3 rods 3feet deep 3 feet apart.We have the driest ground ever around here certain times of the year.No issues with ground rods here.
.

 

[newguy]

I also have a couple cheaper paramak chargers that I started with.still use them on smaller less serious applications.very handy as they have small battery and solar panel all self contained.

 

[aj]

I just got a Gallager MSB 800. Marine battery and a seperate solar panel. 8 joules.......shazam baby it shoots a spark but expensive.

 

[beebe]

How much does the whole thing weigh?

 

[aj]

It's 3 pieces hooked together. Battery is heavy. The solar panel is just bulky.