When you’re in the market for an electric fence charger, you have options that can be confusing at first, but you can choose between them by understanding the role your fence is playing in your livestock operation.
First, consider the purpose of your fence. Most people use an electric fence to keep livestock from wandering away. Others use it to separate animals by gender or age. An electric fence can also be protective – keeping predators away from livestock or to keep animals of all kinds from invading a garden or cropland. With all those duties possible for an electric fence, you need a fence charger that provides the power you need for its specific role.
Secondly, think about the length of your fence and how many wires you expect to electrify – the longer the fence the more powerful charger you’ll need. It’s generally recommended to buy a charger that has a mile-rating that’s 25% larger than the amount of line you’ll be running hot.
Three Electric Fence Charger Types
Now that you understand the basic requirements your charger, it’s time to look at the three specific styles.
In general, fence chargers are classified by the method in which they are powered – AC (plug-in), DC (battery powered) or Solar.
If you’re not sure which charger type to select, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the key details of AC, DC and Solar fence chargers. It’s up to you to decide which is best for your situation based on their strengths and weaknesses.
Electric Fence Charger Comparison Guide
|
Power |
Strong |
Average |
Average |
|
Distance Charged |
With higher output, current is carried a long distance. |
Moderate output, so current travels a reasonable distance. |
Moderate output, so current travels a reasonable distance. |
|
Cost |
Expect less than $1 a month added to electricity bill. |
Battery cost (Replacement time varies on fence usage) |
Battery cost (needs to be replaced about every three years) |
|
Location |
Must be near a 110v outlet. |
Useable in remote areas with no AC power access. |
Useable in remote areas with no AC power access. Sunny locations preferred. |
|
General Usage |
Best for large fences, multi-line fences, herd containment, large animals and aggressive animals. |
Good for small fences, single lines and animals that ground easily or have thin hides. |
Good for small fences, single lines and animals that ground easily or have thin hides. |
The Fence Charger for Your Operation
What electric fence energizer did you select for your fence system? Tell us about how you came to your decision when you visit Zareba® on Facebook. If you still have questions, try exploring our in-depth look into fence charger buying options or reach out to our Consumer Care Team at 855-5-ZAREBA. They are available to help you with any question you have out our fencing products.
Once you’ve made your fence charger decision, sign up for our E-Newsletter to get regular notifications about our products, special announcements and links to articles like this one.
