Connecting a battery to an electric fence is a straightforward process that primarily involves powering the electric fence energiser (also known as a fencer or charger). This energiser then converts the battery's power into pulses of electricity for your fence line, making it an ideal setup for remote or portable fencing needs.
Essential Components for Battery Connection
Before you begin, ensure you have the following key components:
- 12V Battery: A deep-cycle battery, such as a tractor battery or a leisure battery, is typically recommended for sustained power delivery.
- Electric Fence Energiser: Specifically designed for 12-volt input.
- Earth Bar (Ground Rod): A metal rod (often galvanized steel) driven into the ground to complete the electrical circuit.
- Connecting Leads: These usually come with the energiser and include (RED) Positive and (BLACK) Negative crocodile clips for battery connection, and a lead for the earth connection.
Step-by-Step Connection Guide
Follow these instructions carefully to ensure a safe and effective electric fence setup using a battery:
-
Position the Energiser
First, position the energiser near to the fence line. This proximity helps to minimize the length of connecting wires, reducing potential resistance and improving efficiency.
-
Establish the Earth Connection
A strong earth connection is absolutely crucial for your electric fence to function correctly. This is where the electrical circuit is completed, allowing the shock to be delivered.
- Push the Earth bar firmly into moist ground. The moisture is vital for good electrical conductivity. If the ground is dry, consider watering the area around the earth bar.
- Locate the dedicated Earth (Green) output terminal on your electric fence energiser.
- Connect a suitable lead from this Green terminal to the Earth Bar. This connection ensures that when an animal touches the live fence, the current can flow through the animal, into the ground, and back to the energiser via the earth bar.
-
Connect the Battery to the Energiser
This step powers your energiser, allowing it to generate the fence pulses. Always ensure correct polarity when connecting the battery to a 12-volt energiser.
- Identify the (RED) Positive crocodile clip on your energiser's battery leads.
- Securely connect the RED clip to the positive (+) terminal of your 12V battery (e.g., your tractor battery).
- Identify the (BLACK) Negative crocodile clip.
- Securely connect the BLACK clip to the negative (-) terminal of your 12V battery.
-
Connect Energiser to Fence Line (For a Complete System)
While the previous steps detail the battery connection, for a complete electric fence system, you must also connect the energiser to the fence line itself.
- Locate the dedicated "Fence" output terminal on your energiser (often marked with a lightning bolt symbol or "Fence").
- Connect a lead from this terminal directly to your electric fence wire.
Summary of Key Connections
For a quick reference, here’s how the main components of your battery-powered electric fence system are connected:
| Component Source | Component Destination | Connector/Terminal | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V Battery | Electric Fence Energiser | RED (+) Crocodile Clip | Connects positive battery terminal to energiser. |
| 12V Battery | Electric Fence Energiser | BLACK (-) Crocodile Clip | Connects negative battery terminal to energiser. |
| Energiser (Earth Output) | Earth Bar | Green Terminal | Essential for the fence's effectiveness and circuit completion. |
| Energiser (Fence Output) | Electric Fence Line | Fence Output Terminal | Delivers electric pulses to the fence wire. |
Important Performance Considerations
- Moisture is Key for Earth: A well-earthed system depends on moist soil. Periodically check the moisture level around your earth bar.
- Secure Connections: All connections, especially the crocodile clips to the battery terminals, must be clean, tight, and secure to prevent power loss and ensure reliability.
- Battery Maintenance: For optimal performance and battery longevity, consider using a solar panel to trickle-charge your 12V battery, especially in remote locations.
