Posted 2009-04-27 6:24 AM (#104004) Subject: Fence Charger
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: Bow, NH
I'm putting together a portable paddock and am wondering which battery operated charger I should go with. I know there are various pre-packaged portable corrals out there but I can't help think I can put one together for less money. My horse is very savvy when it comes to current deterrent as long as it is powered. He seems to know when it is off and will then use the electric tape for dental floss (good oral hygine is importaint to him....lol).
Posted 2009-04-27 6:49 AM (#104005 - in reply to #104004) Subject: RE: Fence Charger
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Oklahoma City
I have used the Zareba battery operated fence charger. I use it with step in plastic posts and 1 1/2" wide electric fence tape. You will also need a grounding rod. The posts are only about 3 feet tall so if your horse doesn't respect the fence, he could run thru it. Here is a link to the charger.
Posted 2009-04-27 6:49 AM (#104006 - in reply to #104004) Subject: RE: Fence Charger
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I've used several over the years. They all seem to work until you let them get wet. The portable units don't have a lot of protection against rain/sprinklers
I thinkt he unit I have now is a Yellow Jacket by Zabra. It is small enough to pack on a pack trip. runs on 4 D cell batteries and does the job. We've even used it to power a 1/2 mile of poly twine in the back country when we fence off a meadow for the horses.
Posted 2009-04-27 7:58 AM (#104010 - in reply to #104004) Subject: RE: Fence Charger
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
The Zareba is $90 at Tractor Supply. The step in posts are $1.99 ea. and the fence tape is $42 for 7/8" wide. You need a grounding rod and about 6' of wire total for ground and hot. This is the majority of what I see used at weekend camps. I got the $40 charger at County Supply (plastic) and polywire instead of tape. I would recommend going with the Zareba because of it's strength.
I've got two of those and they work very well. Mine have a post built into them so they get stuck into the ground, don't know if they changed them or if it's just not shown in the picture. Works with either D cell batteries or a 12 volt battery of your choice. I've used them in all kinds of conditions over the last 10 and never had a problem with them.
Posted 2009-04-27 12:35 PM (#104029 - in reply to #104004) Subject: RE: Fence Charger
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Perk,
I thought the same as you did.. I built my own corral over time.. bought a friend's used battery and charger, but then opted for the zareba yellow jacket charger.. I've tried it one time.. my mare first pushed under the fence (apparently at an optimal moment because it didn't shock her).. I put her back in and when it zapped her, she freaked and ran thru the other side, bending the poles and stringing the 1/2 inch tape (also bought used) along behind her... I plan to try it again, but with wider tape and a larger area to start off with.. That way she may have time/space to get over it before she gets to the other side..
Posted 2009-04-30 5:42 AM (#104202 - in reply to #104004) Subject: RE: Fence Charger
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: Bow, NH
Thanks for the input! I think I will go with the Yellow Jacket charger. Someone gave me a $50 gift card to TSC for Christmas so that will go a long way towards the cost. I will definatly use a wider tape and I get the tallest posts I can find. I've got a friend who found some really neat step in posts and I think they are alomst 4.5 feet tall. How deep a grounding rod does the Yellow Jacket need? My ex-wife has a battery operated charger (should have swiped in when I left.....lol) that worked well with only a few inches in the ground.
Posted 2009-04-30 9:06 AM (#104210 - in reply to #104004) Subject: RE: Fence Charger
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
I bought the white step in posts at TSC that you can put two or three strands of tape on. I got white so you can see them better and when packing up you may overlook a black one. My friend had these and updated to the pigtail top ones. These are easier to thread but you can only put up one strand. They also cost more. I like the option I can put an additional strand up if needed ( keeps those loose dogs out and no pushing under).
Posted 2009-04-30 6:15 PM (#104232 - in reply to #104004) Subject: RE: Fence Charger
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Which ones are those? I've never heard of the "pigtailed" ones. Got a link?
I plan on retrying with Tamber and also working on Eve, our new TWH.. She can't use the portable panels because she either tries to climb up the rungs (climbed nearly to the top of a standard iron pipe corral with her front feet. Stood there like a dog on her hind legs looking over the fence) or she puts her hoof thru them..Sheesh
Posted 2009-04-30 11:34 PM (#104253 - in reply to #104232) Subject: RE: Fence Charger
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
My friend got them at Tractor Supply. They are white with a curl at the top. They were more expensive. I guess they take up less space but the curls get tangled together when they are packed.
Go to www.Tractorsupply.com and key in 3605469. There is a conflict with the quantity. I think hers were 5/$19.98.
Posted 2009-05-02 12:56 AM (#104320 - in reply to #104004) Subject: RE: Fence Charger
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
With the portable corral a good ground is really important. If the ground is dry you can use a coffee can with the bottome cut out (or a water jug with a hole in the bottom and the lid off. Just push down into the dirt and fill with water and let it soak in and put your ground there. I found that was the easiest way to get a good ground.
Fence Charger
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