The fence charger is the heart of your electric fence system. Finding the best charger for your fence is important to successfully contain or exclude animals. Consider the following items to ensure you buy the right fence charger to meet your needs. Fence chargers, also known as energizers or fencers, vary by amount of current they output and their power source. The size of fence charger needed is dependent upon your fencing needs. These needs are determined by four main factors: 1. Length of the fence 2. Number of wires3. Power source (AC, DC or Solar) 4. Type of animal being contained or excluded.

Types of Fence Chargers

There are three main types of fence energizers:

·AC (Plugin) Powered

·DC (Battery) Powered

·Solar Powered

The source of power for the electric fence controller to function determines on the type of charger you will be using. Each type of fence energizer has specific situations in which it is most desirable to use.

Selecting the right electric fence controller with adequate power for your enclosure is critical to keeping your animals safe.

AC-Powered

AC-Powered fence charger is a great choice where you have a reliable source of 110-volt electrical power. A range of electric fence controllers are available for distances up to 200 miles. Generally speaking, AC electric fence chargers provide the best output of all chargers and are the most popular type of fence charger used in permanent electric fence systems today.

DC-Powered (Battery Operated)

Battery operated fence chargers are ideal for remote locations or areas without access to AC power. DC-powered chargers use a variety of batteries. Generally speaking, bigger batteries last longer and can create more volts.

You will have to purchase batteries separately from the charger. Some of batteries can be recharged while others will need to be replaced.

A common question asked about battery or DC powered electric fence energizers is, "How often do the batteries need to be charged?"

The answer: it depends on how many times the fence is grounding. In other words, if the animals are touching the electric fence often or if there are weeds or limbs touching the fence and the ground, the battery will drain faster than if the wire remains clear. Animals that are being trained to avoid the fence will likely touch it more during the early part of training so the battery will drain faster at that time.

Note: Frequently check and recharge your batteries to maintain secure fence operation. This can be done by using a voltage meter.

Solar-Powered

Solar-powered electric fence chargers are perfect for fences in remote locations not near an AC outlet or other power source which need a continuous output to remain “hot” constantly. Their lightweight, easy to transport design also make solar-powered chargers the perfect choice for rotational or strip grazing systems. A solar powered electric fence energizer usually contains a battery for energy storage. The solar panel collects the energy from the sun and charges the battery.Lead acid batteries, which are used in solar fence chargers, typically last around 3 years, or around 1,000 days of charging. It’s a good idea to have back-up gel-cell solar batteries and trickle chargers to assure continuous power for your fence.