The Benefits of Using Battery Energisers in Fencing:
Battery energisers are a cost-effective way to protect livestock from predators and to keep grazing animals contained. They provide an electrical pulse along the fence line, which deters animals from attempting to cross.
The main benefit of a battery energiser for your electric fence is its mobility. As the energiser is powered by a battery you can take it everywhere you like.
Battery Energiser Maintenance and Troubleshooting:
In principle the energiser itself does not need maintenance. The fence powered by the battery energiser requires regular maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure they are functioning properly. This includes checking the battery level and replacing it if necessary, making sure the energiser is securely mounted, and testing the output voltage of the energiser.
By regularly inspecting and maintaining the energiser, it is possible to extend the life of the machine. Properly maintaining the energiser ensures adequate power to the fence keeping your animals safe.
Types of Battery Energisers and Their Applications:
Battery energisers can vary in terms of their output voltage, output joules and type of power source. A battery energiser can be powered by 6 volt, 9 volt and 12 volt batteries. Where the 9 volt batteries need a replacement of the battery on a regular basis, 12 volt batteries can be recharged.
The volatge of the battery needed is mentioned in the description of you energiser.
Depending on the length of the fence and type of animal it is used for, different specifications can be found on a battery energiser. Output joules and voltage under load are important specifications to compare to check if the energiser is suitable for your specific situation.
Often the output voltage is communicated with energisers. However, to get a good representation of the performance of an energiser one should look at the voltage under load. The voltage under load describes the voltage on you fence when the resistance is increased.
When selecting your energiser, always look at the voltage under load. Often this is communicated in 100 Ohm and 500 Ohm. The resistance of 500 ohm can be compared by a sheep or cow touching the fence so this is the voltage the animal feels. The 100 ohm resistance level is comparable with the voltage on the line when the line is overgrown with grass, so a big shortage.
Comparing Different Brands and Models of Battery Energisers:
There are a wide variety of battery energisers available on the market, ranging from professional-grade models to simpler, budget-friendly options. To be ensure yourself of a safe and reliable energiser, we have selected the brands with a good reputation and track record.
Currently you will find Gallagher, Hotline and Pulsara energisers in our assortment. The battery energisers are carefully selected by our product management to offer you a high quality, value for money options to choose from.
If you are missing any brands, please let us know so we can investigate the possibility of listing them.
Cost-Effective Ways of Maximising Battery Energiser Performance:
There are different ways to maximise the performance of your battery energiser.
To ensure the battery energiser is running at maximum efficiency, it is important to ensure the battery is in good condition, the energiser is securely mounted, and the voltage on the fence is regularly checked.
Another cost effective way of maximising the performance is by reducing short circuits in your fence. Make sure vegetation is at a minimum and any obstacles are removed.
In addition, it is important to take good care of your batteries. When you are not using your charger, make sure you store teh batteries in a dark place of 10-15 °C.
What type of battery to use for my electric fence?
As discussed above, there are different battery energisers, also regarding the type of power source. One could find 6 volt, 9 volt and 12 volt fencing energisers. Your energiser will always describe what power source it is suitable with.
If you are still looking for an electric fence energiser powered by batteries, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First of all the 6 volt energiser. These energisers are mostly less powerfull compared to 9 and 12 volt energisers. Be carefull of the specifications of the charger meet your needs.
Battery energisers with powered by a 9 volt battery often need their battery replaced. As a 9 volt battery is non-rechargeable, you will have to replace the entire battery every time it runs down. Depending on the use of the energisers this could be once every 3 months.
A 12 volt battery can be recharged. So when you would connect your battery energiser to a 12 volt battery, you can recharge it when it runs down. Read more about how to prolong the battery life of your 12v battery.
A 12 volt battery also allows you to connect it to a solar panel. When doing so, the battery will be recharged by sunlight, allowing you to extend the period between manually recharging the enrgiser.
What battery is best for an electric fence?
A battery powered energiser need to be connected to a special designed battery for optimal performance. In general, it is recommended to use a deep-cycle battery that is designed for frequent use and can withstand the high current draw of the energiser.
Fencing brands have specially designed their batteries to this purpose. On the internet information can be found on using car batteries to connect to your energiser. We do not recommend this, even discourage it.
- Car batteries are not deep cycle they should not be totally discharged. If so, you can't use it anymore
- Car batteries will not last as long as other more suitable batteries.
- Normal flooded car batteries will require more charging and maintenance.
Because of the above risks, your fence could be without power. Therefor risking your animals to be at danger, either by breaking our or predators breaking in.
How long does a battery last on an electric fence?
To calculate the operating hours of a battery one can use the following formula:
- Obtain the capacity of the battery (stated in Ah) from the type label of the battery: e.g.: 80 Ah
- Determine the usable capacity of your battery; this is approximately 65% for a new battery (it will be lower with increasing age) e.g.: 80 Ah x 65% = 52 Ah
- Obtain the current consumption from the type label of your electric fence device
- Calculate the operating time in hours (h) until recharging: capacity/current consumption e.g.: 52 Ah/0.110 A = 473 h
Therefore, the operating time is 473 hours or 20 days (473 h/24 h per day), with an example current consumption of 0.110 A of the electric fence device.
