Electric Fencer Power

mryimmers

Hi, I have a 12 volt electric fencer that I would like to power off of my 24 volt battery bank.
 Current at 13.6 volts is 470mA (6ish watts?)  Being such a small load I was thinking of maybe just taking 12 volts right off the bank with alligator clips with an automotive fuse in the wire?
Is that enough of a load to cause a problem?  Or should I look at a small charge controller or converter to hook to the battery bank?
Also regarding grounding, I've looked around a bit on line and it appears I should not use the same ground for this fencer as my solar system? Have not yet seen why though.
Thanks 

vtmaps

Lightning can be a big issue with electric fences... the entire fence is a lightning antenna.  I would build an entirely separate 12 volt system for the fencer... the systems should share nothing, not the battery, not the solar panels, not even a ground rod.  Why risk your home power system for a 6 watt load?

--vtMaps

mryimmers

This is to protect a bee hive, so maybe not as "out there" as an actual fence, but I see your point. Apparently these fencers will run for weeks on a regular sized 12 volt battery, so it shouldn't be too big a deal to go that route, thanks!!

westbranch

these run all season, you should be able to cobble a similar setup together.  a bit pricey though...

  http://www.statelinetack.com/item/parmak-magnum-12-solar-pak-fencer/BXF56/?srccode=ADSLPH&gclid=CKXbvu6jxs4CFcSGaQodlMUKmA&kwid=19959388920x8767013268x210917748

mryimmers

I already have this fencer      http://www.gallagherfence.net/products/b700   used for $50 bucks !!  Just need a battery, and I will keep it separate from my cabin system.    Thanks guys

Johann

The battery could be charged of the house/cabin system and then put back to the fencer.

mryimmers

Ya that's what I'll do, shouldn't have to charge it too often.
Thanks, vtmaps for pointing out the lightening aspect