2016 Premier Fence

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88 ENERGIZERS & SOLAR PANELS
Q. How do solar energizers compare to
other fence energizers?
A. • Their output is identical—a brief high
voltage pulse of energy.
• Their input source is a DC battery.
• When the sun shines, the solar
panel recharges the battery—which
eliminates the hassle of carrying the
battery to/from a recharger.
• They’re larger in physical size than
110 volt energizers—because of the
solar panel, battery and case.
• They are more expensive per unit of
output—again because of the battery,
solar panel and larger case.
Q. How do solar energizers differ from
one another?
A. • Input needs (in milliamperes per hr).
• Pulse energy output (joules).
• Pulse rate per minute.
• Size of battery (in amp hrs) per
milliampere of draw.
• Size of solar panel (in watts and volts)
per milliampere of draw.
• Number of days the battery will last
on its own without sunlight.
• Cost/joule of output and durability.
Q. What are the negatives of solar?
A. • Expensive per joule of output.
• Usually have less frequent pulses—
which reduces its ability to stop
animals and their predators.
• More maintenance including:
1. Keeping the panel free of dust,
snow and ice.
2. Keeping the panel fully exposed to
the sun—unshaded by trees, grass,
fence posts or buildings.
3. During winter the capability of
the battery is lower—just when
the available sunlight to recharge
batteries is also low.
Q. Are solar energizers less expensive?
A. No. Plug-in units cost less because they
don’t need a battery or a solar panel.
Q. Are they less costly to operate?
A. No. The cheapest energizer to operate
plugs into 110-volt AC current.
Surprised? A Kube 4000 provides 10
times more pulse energy than most
farmstore solar units. Yet it uses less
than 70 watts/day. That’s only $2.50
per year!
By comparison the battery in a typical
farmstore solar fence energizer (1/10
the energy output of a Kube 4000) costs
$24 and may need replacing every 2
years—an annual operating cost of $12.
Q. So how do Premier solar energizers
differ from farmstore energizers?
A. We provide extensive details and
photos on pp. 90–93, but in summary:
1. Premier’s solar energizers have much
higher pulse output—from 0.25 to
2.0 joules.
However, most farmstore solar units
vary from .04 to .17 joules—enough
to stop a mature horse or dairy cow
but not nearly enough power for
sheep, goats, poultry and wildlife or
fences that experience weed contact.
2. We also offer “extreme” versions of
PRS units for areas with less sunlight
and/or colder temperatures—and we
tell you where those areas are.
3. We use larger solar panels and larger
batteries per unit of output.
4. Our units cost less per joule of output.
5. Our cases can be placed on the soil
(summer) or hung from a post (winter).
PRS 200X is too heavy to hang.
Solar Energizer best practices…
• When not in use, turn off the unit
and face the panel toward the sun
to recharge its batteries. If in use,
leave the energizer turned on.
• If an energizer tests less than
2000v across the energizer
terminals (while disconnected from
the fence/ground), test the battery
with a battery meter (see p. 99 ) to
make sure it is fully charged.
Fence voltage testers can’t be
used to test batteries (regrettably).
• Check batteries to make sure there
is no corrosion on the terminals.
• Reduce risk of rodents chewing on
wiring harnesses by keeping the
connecting harness off the ground.
• Do not allow animals access to
the energizer.
Common user mistakes with solar fence energizers (please read!)
1. Not facing it toward the sun. This
reduces the sun exposure needed to
charge the battery. Best practice is to
face the unit’s panel due south.
2. Not elevating it above the grass or
snow (above). A solar panel covered
with snow will not work.
4. Allowing dust to cover the panel.
A light film is not a problem—but if
the unit is in a dusty location it will
accumulate a layer of dust thick enough
to reduce the abilities of the solar cells.
A flat battery will result.
Rain, of course, washes it off.
5. Not turning off the energizer when
it’s not in use. A common mistake
because the insulated clips connecting
it to the fence and ground rod allow
users to remove them without turning
off the energizer.
6. Allowing the battery to gradually
discharge when not in use. When
storing, disconnect battery (fully
charged) from the energizer. Store both
in a heated area. Ensure battery charge
stays above 40%.
3. Allowing posts, grass (above) or
trees to shade it for a portion of
the day. If a solar panel is not fully
exposed to the sunlight, it won’t
develop enough voltage to recharge
the battery.
It’s easy to forget that grass can
rapidly grow enough to shade a unit
sitting on the ground.
Solar Energizer FAQs