Electric Fence Energisers

[Turbo]

We have an old Hotline electric fence energiser here.

I need to use it to keep horses away from a fence for a few days whilst it is being painted.

The unit is designed to use a 9v alkaline battery. The batteries are expensive at over £30.
I don't want to buy a battery for a few days use but I have several 12v lead acid batteries that could be used.

Newer units are designed for either 9v or 12v but I think this one isn't.

Question is do I chance trying a 12v battery on it?
I would have a few car 12v to 9v adaptors but I don't think they could supply enough amps.
There is a convenient 240v socket and I have some 240 to 9v power supplies that could be used.

Decisions decisions!

 

[Migmac]

I’d use the 240v - 9v myself

 

[Wildefalcon]

Rechargeable 9v?

 

[bourbon]

experiment. plug one in. grab the fence. if you get a belt. sorted

 

[Robotstar5]

experiment. plug one in. grab the fence. if you get a belt. sorted

I get asked to look at fence energisers a fair bit and have found a spark plug tester works a treat when testing the output

 

[MattF]

I get asked to look at fence energisers a fair bit and have found a spark plug tester works a treat when testing the output

Thanks for taking all the fun, (for us, not him), out of his test. Git.

 

[Gareth J]

Small battery powered ones don't draw a huge amount, plenty of solar powered ones that are kept topped up with a relatively tiny solar panel.

If you can test the power consumption of it when on a dead short (or find the information on a data plate/online), it might inform what options are viable.

 

[Turbo]

I get asked to look at fence energisers a fair bit and have found a spark plug tester works a treat when testing the output

Very useful bit of information.

Just bought a gap type and a light up type spark plug tester, what type do you mean?

 

[Migmac]

I get asked to look at fence energisers a fair bit and have found a spark plug tester works a treat when testing the output

Nah, you get somebody to pee on it. You’ll find out very quickly if it’s working or not and there will be no doubt

 

[Migmac]

@MattF
When I worked on the estate. I was often sent out on a shoot day to walk wee bits of woodland into the main drives. This particular day I had to take a back gun with me and drop him off at his stand. We were going through the wood and he needed a pee. He handed me his gun and walked a few yards then started to have a pee. Before I could say “that’s an electric fence” he was on the deck writhing in agony. I couldn’t help, I was to busy peeing myself with laughter. It was a good while before he was right. Never forgotten that day

 

[Turbo]

We were setting up a car rally and we helped a local farmer set up a viewing area in the corner of one of his fields. He had cattle in it so he erected an electric fence to keep them separated.

We had left a gate open so that the spectators could easily walk in from the access road. But despite that there were quite a few twits who had walked down the field and had to try to cross the electric fence.

That caused much amusement as they tried to either go over or under it without getting zapped!
There were warning signs erected but ignored as usual!
The farmer had came for a look at the rally and said it was the best laugh he had in ages.

 

[Robotstar5]

Very useful bit of information.

Just bought a gap type and a light up type spark plug tester, what type do you mean?

I use the light up type

 

[Guineafowl]

A blade of grass is a good field tester. You have to gain some ‘calibration’ experience, but generally a good jolt from an inch or so of length means the fence is working fine.

I was taught by an old dairy farmer that you can pick up and move a live piece of fence, as long as you grab tightly with a full fist. Less current density means less pain. I’d see him walking across the field with a live length, arm jerking slightly, and soon learned to do the same.

 

[Turbo]

Some painted and a lot more to do.
Problems start when these 2 are around.

The grey horse generally leaves you alone but the brown one is very friendly and very nosey and comes over for a chat when you are painting!

 

[Wozzaaah]

I get asked to look at fence energisers a fair bit and have found a spark plug tester works a treat when testing the output

A dog’s nose works well too.
Point….. “What’s that?”

 

[Erie Fred]

View attachment 503963

View attachment 503964


Some painted and a lot more to do.
Problems start when these 2 are around.

View attachment 503965

View attachment 503966

The grey horse generally leaves you alone but the brown one is very friendly and very nosey and comes over for a chat when you are painting!

View attachment 503967

You don't have any rope ?

 

[Turbo]

You don't have any rope ?

Why?

 

[Robotstar5]

......Some painted and a lot more to do.
Problems start when these 2 are around.

View attachment 503965

View attachment 503966

The grey horse generally leaves you alone but the brown one is very friendly and very nosey and comes over for a chat when you are painting!

View attachment 503967

Mrs Robo's horse could qualify as a Ninja, when I'm pushing the barrow across the field you don't hear him coming, there's suddenly a horse at my shoulder

Something to try is carry a plastic carrier bag and shake it at him/her, a trick Mrs Robo taught me

 

[Porkypine]

Tbh, I'd just use one of your 12v old car batteries ( assuming that's what they are) if they've sat around a bit they're prob a bit under voltage anyway, plus I don't think the 9v to 12v difference would be significant with kit like that..
Or get one of those hand held aerosol air horns and give the nag a blast when it comes up to you, that'd shift it

 

[hotponyshoes]

I expect a PP3 battery would run it long enough to get the paint job done.

Or, save faffing about, put some mint toothpaste on the pp3. Let the horse lick it.
He'll probably keep away from you for a bit then..