Hey Guys,
Any recommendations for a solar powered electric fence? I have 4 hives near my home in an orchard, to far to run any electric. Just put out my first hives this week. Its a very small area for the 4 hives, just need something like 10x10. Any recomendations on brands or joule size? Or any alternatives to a fence?
Thanks!
Brian
I have a Parmak 30 mile fencer. It seems to have done the trick. It pegs all of my testers. We normally have damp loam/clay soils and right now I am only using 1 6' ground rod.
If its only a 10x10 area you may be better off getting a chainlink dog kennel kit and setting it up instead. Bears can go right through an electrice fence.
You're going to want something with some power, 1 joule or more at least. A little all-in-one solar unit doesn't have that power. I use a 30 watt solar panel attached to a marine battery with a 12 volt fence charger, a Stafix. It will run on 12 volt or 120. But I'm using it for chickens. It may or may not have killed one.
For bears, don't use a regular electric fence, use a fence net like you can buy for chickens. A regular fence they can get through because they can poke their nose through without harm. A strike somewhere else is less of a problem. With a net, there's nowhere they can stick their nose through and not get hit. There are videos on YouTube where the bear refuses to charge the fence even baited with bacon.
I'm jinxing myself for posting this, but for the last couple of years we've had luck using a net and solar energizer from Premier 1. I can't afford to duplicate that setup in all of my yards, but will be able to use it as a model for the other yards with bear troubles.
hmmm.... it may be easier for my location for a 10x10 chain link fence setup. But i'm not sold yet. Is there any way to electrify a chain link fence? my hives are about a 1/4 mile from an power source, so i guess i could run a fence line down. Jusy liked the thought of a solar charged unit.
And what is the importance of the ground rods? Keth - 3 ground rods of 8'? why is the 3 better?
The better the ground the better the punch. Three is considered pretty standard for a fence installation. You want to make sure that at least one is always in contact with some moist (not dry) soil.
Here is a great link that details the 40' by 40' yard I am installing soon.. .
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