Electric question (DC) regarding fence chargers

Anonymous-0 · May 1, 2009

Please type the answer slow and and try to keep it dummy proof :roll:

I've got a couple good 12 volt chargers that I use. Is there a way to figure how many watts they pull (maybe based on length of fence and amps?) ? Thinking about getting solar panels to maintain the batteries instead of having them go dead and recharging.

Or, maybe a simpler ???? would be: Would a 5 watt
; 18" L x 12-1/2" W do what I need?

Thanks,

Dave

buickanddeere · May 1, 2009

Data should be on the nameplate. If worse comes to worse. Measure the current draw.
Size the solar panels several times over. To allow for cloudy days, mornins and evenings that don't shine on the panel directly. And for the panel to loose it's rated power after a few weeks.

Anonymous-0 · May 1, 2009

Measure the draw by connecting a multimeter between the battery and positive cable (amps)? How do I translate what I read to answer my question. I'm a little (lot) thick headed here.

Thanks, Dave

rbel · May 1, 2009

P=ExI
Power (watts) = E voltage x I current/amps

Make sure the multimeter is connected correctly (polarity) and on the higest amp scale or you could let the smoke out

Anonymous-0 · May 1, 2009

Not that simple,12v chargers draw a small current while charging a capacitor then a heavy current when the scr fires and charges the fence.

hayray · May 1, 2009

Solar panels are real expensive. I checked into running a 10 joule energizer on solar panels and I was going to need 3, 22 watt panels set up at a cost of over $1000. On my 3 joule AC,DC fencer I could spend about $400 on a panel that would keep the battery charged a little longer but that is it. The fencer should have the kilowatt hour draws labeled so you should be able to figure out energy used. In order to keep charge longer on battery it was recommended to me to keep the battery in a cooler set in a hole in the ground - keeps the battery cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Jon Hagen · May 1, 2009

The good Galiger 12V fence chargers use a 5 watt panel. They seem to keep the battery charged all summer.

Lee in Iowa · May 1, 2009

Its been a few years, but I think Parmak told me a small solar battery maintainer would keep up with one of theirs. When I use a battery one more than a month I just hook it up the pickup with jumper cables once in a while when I check the cattle. I know a good Premier 110 volt fencer won't draw enough to make the meter turn in a month. Lee

Anonymous-0 · May 2, 2009

A Parmak 6v panel was 90.00 and a 12v was 180.00.Parmak chargers use a small 9 amp hour battery.

T_Bone · May 2, 2009

Hi Ray,

There's nothing special about the PV's used for recharging fence charger battery's, so I can buy a 3w PV for under $50. Why a 3w? As then you don't need to add PWM recharge regulation for PV's under 5w. A typical PV over 5w will over charge the battery without using a CC.

It's cheaper too draw from the battery, then recharge the battery as then you need less PV power.

T_Bone

Electric question (DC) regarding fence chargers

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

buickanddeere

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

rbel

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

hayray

Well-known Member

Jon Hagen

Well-known Member

Lee in Iowa

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

T_Bone

Well-known Member

Similar threads