What You Need to Look for in Electric Fence Energisers – a Simple Guide

Supplying your electric fence can be done in different ways but the most convenient one is with a fence energiser. Some people call them ‘shockers’ and others call them ‘chargers’ but for the sake of this guide, we are going to stick to the term energisers. No matter whether you want to keep animals off your property or from leaving it, finding one that will suit your budget and needs is of the essence to make the most out of your purchase.

Power

The power source is one of the main factors that can make or break the performance of an energiser. A standard choice is fence energisers that can be fed from a standard 220V outlet. Smaller energiser units operate at 110V but you can always go for solar electric fence energisers, which are the most ideal solution for Australia’s sunny climate. With a solar energiser, you will also save money in the long run as the device will be powered by a clean and renewable energy source – the sun. Sure the initial cost may be higher, but it will definitely pay off in the long run. Just make sure you get a good enough battery to store the energy.

Battery

Talking about the battery, when looking through the wide range of electric fence energisers, make sure you get a deep cell marine battery because these are designed to discharge at a slower rate than your usual battery pack. However, be sure you check if your unit requires more than one battery as bigger energisers a lot of times require 2 batteries and some even more.

Distance

A lot of people will advise you to go with the acreage rating that will match the size of your property but that’s not really a smart move. What happens if you want to expand your yard? Then you’ll need a new energiser and consequently, you’ll need to go through the entire buying process all over again. I’d suggest you always go with one that can cover a bigger area than what you have. This way you will also compensate for the energy loss which a lot of times occurs due to grass and other vegetation being in constant contact with the fence thus absorbing its energy and diluting the shock that needs to fend off animals.

Animals

Although the animals which the energiser is meant to keep away are going to be listed on the packaging of the device you buy, sometimes sheep and goats can raise concerns. This is because their wool oftentimes acts as an insulator, making the shock less effective or totally ineffective. In order to avoid this, your best bet is choosing a larger energiser which is meant for horses.