Low voltage on electric fence...

[papadekaitlyn]

I just re-read the original post...

When you get the weak shock (not touching the ground post with your arm) could it be weak because you're insulated by your shoes?

Maybe it is shocking better than you think.. try touching it with bare feet...

If this happens:

The fence is probably ok...

 

[Fudgie]

very good point, Had not thought about that. sometimes our tester will light up bright when yuo touch it to the electric fence post if something is grounding it....like a tree or a plant or something LIKE shoes....

 

[laxrick]

Didn't think of that at all! I'm still going to replace the hot wire with the proper one, however, 600V ground wire is actually fine according to manufacturer specs.

And I'll try touching it with no shoes...

 

[greyfields]

I got a fence tester from Premier which actually points to the direction the fault is coming from. That's saved me so much headache.

 

[Fudgie]

THAT would be cool greyfields! I will have to look into getting that.

 

[unionwirewoman]

I don't think that most people here realize that copper is the best at current and ampacity flow . #10 or #14 gauge wire is over kill for fencing . They do make better products that are less conductive in a smaller gauge to withstand the weather and elements . I would use plain old electric fence wire...the thin metal stuff...or you can use the orange or white ribbon if you please . It won't make a difference . As everyone else has said....that material is rated for your fencer .

Your problem lies with in proper connections from your fencer . It seems as if you have good grounding....never hurts to have too much though . You got shocked because you entered the "path" . You completed it at it's best point . The ground rod which you touched was 4-5 ' in the ground.....you touched it and the hot...Diffrent story when you touch just the hot...you are essentially the ground at this point , and not a very good one since you were not 4-5 foot in the ground and wearing rubber .

You need to at the very least use wire nuts at the connections that are "taped' together . This is why you are not getting the full force of your fence . If you don't have a good connection on your hot from the unit.....It's not going to work properly . Try that first . You may want to invest in a $20 voltage tester , they are good for testing your fencer and house when you have problems . The black lead goes to ground ( or neutral , and the red lead goes to hot ) Test your fencer first...then go on down the line . I would bet my life it's the tape that's screwing things up for you though . Let me know how it turns out .

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

How dry is the dirt? Electric fences rely on the conductivity of the ground there on. If the ground ain't got enough moisture then you would have to touch the ground rod to get a good shock. Soak the ground around the grounding rod an test it again. If that is your issue then you can run more strands of wire without the insulators between the ones you have an hook them to the ground rod. That would make every post a ground rod an give the fence an alternating hot an ground wires too. Making a much more reliable electric fence.

 

[Fudgie]

Quote:
GOOD IDEA rebelcowboysnb!!!