Can I Hook a Solar Panel Directly to a Fence Charger?

Solar panels can provide a source of electricity for your fence charger.

If you plan to use a solar panel to provide power to electrify a fence, you can either hook it up to a deep-cycle battery or wire it directly to a fence charger. Connecting the panel directly to the fence charger will save you time and money.

Things You'll Need

• Solar panel
• Fence charger
• 12-gauge wire
• Wire strippers
• Electrical tape
• 4x4 post
• Frame for mounting solar panel

Instructions

1. Mount the solar panel near the fence charger. Most solar panel kits come with their own mounting brackets. You may need to install a 4x4 fence post or a boxed frame to hold your solar panel. You will want to be able to pivot your solar panel on its Y-axis so that it can collect as much sunlight as possible. Mount the solar panel so it sits at an angle equal to the latitude at your location plus 15 degrees from the horizontal. Face the panel to the south so it collects as much sunlight as possible.

2. Attach 12-gauge electrical wiring to the outputs of the solar panel. Connect the black wire to the positive terminal of the solar panel. Attach the white wire to the negative terminal. Connect the green wire to the solar panel's frame to serve as a ground for the circuit.

3. Strip an inch of insulation from the ends of the black and white wires connected to the fence charger, which has red and black clamps for input connections. Connect the red clamp to the black wire and the black clamp to the white wire. Wrap electrical tape around the clamp and wires and tuck them underneath the solar panel or inside the housing for the fence charger to protect them from the elements.

4. Attach the positive and negative outputs of the fence charger to send an electric current to the fence. Test the fence by looking at the indicator lights on the charger.

Tips & Warnings

• Most solar-powered fence chargers connect to a battery and then to the fence charger to deliver a consistent charge. Some charger units come with a battery and solar panel already installed into one unit, making the installation process easier.

References

• Equi-Search: How to Select, Install Electric Fence
• Free Sunpower: Wires and Cables
• Oklahoma State: Goat Fencing
• Mother Earth News: Electric Fence

Resources

• Pasture Management: 21 Mistakes to Avoid With Electric Fencing
• Small Farm Permaculture: Using a Solar Fence Charger
• University Of Wisconsin River Falls: Energizers