solar vs 12v/battery fence chargers

[DickMidnight]

i’m still trying to figure out the best setup to charge my hot wires.

i’ve got a 50x50 enclosure that i want to grossly overcharge.

i was looking at a 30mile/3 joule solar charger. but i’m not sure it will always be juiced up over the winter.

my other option, for similar money, is a 5 joule charger that runs off of a 12v battery.

that would solve my sunlight issues, but would i need to keep that setup out of the weather?

any advice is welcome here.

 

[3KillerBs]

Where, in general, are you?

I find that even though I'm in the US southeast where days are longer than in the north, I have to bring the solar charger in at least once a week for a plug-in charge.

 

[DickMidnight]

Where, in general, are you?

I find that even though I'm in the US southeast where days are longer than in the north, I have to bring the solar charger in at least once a week for a plug-in charge.

i’m in connecticut.

 

[3KillerBs]

i’m in connecticut.

Solar probably won't cut it for you on short winter days then.

I'm looking into getting either a plug-in or a battery charger for my main coop unit and will then reserve the solar unit for a secondary fence that I move around in the summer.

 

[DickMidnight]

Solar probably won't cut it for you on short winter days then.

I'm looking into getting either a plug-in or a battery charger for my main coop unit and will then reserve the solar unit for a secondary fence that I move around in the summer.

battery seems to have more upside.

do they need to be kept out of the weather, though?

building a simple box for it wouldn’t be too hard.

 

[3KillerBs]

battery seems to have more upside.

do they need to be kept out of the weather, though?

building a simple box for it wouldn’t be too hard.

I don't know for sure. I haven't gotten that far.

Mine would be mounted on the coop wall under the roof overhang.

 

[DickMidnight]

I don't know for sure. I haven't gotten that far.

Mine would be mounted on the coop wall under the roof overhang.

hmm.

even though the enclosure is behind my coop and fully enclosed run, i guess i could use the run roof to protect my charger and battery.

is there a recommended distance from charger to ground rods? mine would be pretty far.

 

[DickMidnight]

on second thought that probably wouldn’t work. id have to thread the ground wire through my hardware cloth.

 

[HumbleAmerican]

Battery Boxes like THIS are inexpensive and keep most weather off the battery.

They are just like automotive batteries. They’re less efficient when cold.

 

[DickMidnight]

Battery Boxes like THIS are inexpensive and keep most weather off the battery.

They are just like automotive batteries. They’re less efficient when cold.

since i’m assuming the charger probably needs to be kept out of the weather too, i was thinking a metal cabinet like this one could be a good solution.

https://www.amazon.com/BUD-Industri...ocphy=9003349&hvtargid=pla-435508223264&psc=1

obviously i’d find one the right size to house both, then mount it to either a post or a tree.