greggors84
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| posted on 25/1/09 at 11:44 AM |
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Solar panel for electric fence
My parents have got a 12v electric fence to stop the foxes getting at their chickens. It runs off a 12v deep cycle leisure battery.
As its quite a way from any power source keeping it on a trickle charge is out of the question. Was thinking about a solar panel.
Anyone know if these are any good or work at all.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250361446152&_trksid=p2759.l1259
The battery apparently only needs charging once a month so the solar panel wouldnt need to be putting out voltage all the time.
Of course it all depends wether its weather proof which I have asked the seller.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 25/1/09 at 11:50 AM |
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Check out your local Maplins - I got one there for £9.99 on a special offer.
Does it work? Unsure... I've heard mixed reviews, but I haven't given mine sufficient testing.
Had you considered one of those wind-powered generators used by the boating fraternity? The ones with a small propeller, used to keep the
boat's battery charged up when in the marina. Probably not cheap though...
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BenB
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| posted on 25/1/09 at 11:52 AM |
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If it's in a sunny position it might be okay. My experiments with solar panels suggest that in overcast conditions they produce very little
oomph. Then again it probably depends on the charge controller being used. It looks like that just uses a diode- which shows it ain't producing
that much current.... but it might keep up with an electric fence- depends how often the foxes walk into it!!
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greggors84
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| posted on 25/1/09 at 12:16 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by BenB
but it might keep up with an electric fence- depends how often the foxes walk into it!!
Or the chickens! They're still not learning!
Wonder if I could knock up a wind turbine with a large pulley to a alternator with a very small pulley.
Although I suspect it would be hard to pull off!
Chris
The Magnificent 7!
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omega 24 v6
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| posted on 25/1/09 at 12:32 PM |
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I use one in my omega to keep the battery topped up but TBH I don't think it's that up to the job IMHO. An alternator powered by a wind
vane might be a better option although i'm not quite sure how you'd keep the ign warning light field from draining the batt on a calm day.
Gives me something to think about over the next few hours though
You did used to get some really small alternators on some of the transport refigeration units. They kept the batteries on the 12volt control side up
when it was running on 3 phase supply. Could be another option for you.
If it looks wrong it probably is wrong.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 25/1/09 at 01:27 PM |
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Forget what I said about marine wind-powered battery maintainers... WAY too expensive! 
This has to be an easy option for a Locoster - car alternator, fan, a wind vane and a bit of control gear. Loads of ideas from the tree-huggers
available via Google.
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serieslandy
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| posted on 25/1/09 at 01:38 PM |
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Look at Gallagher they are not cheap but we have a mains energizer for the
horses and it cost about £200. They have this 2W on that is £250 but
that is just a guide and says between spring-> autum. There are a few higher watt solar panels on ebay. 1.5w may be enough but not during winter.
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