Solar Powered Electric Fence Battery Tender

Fe-Wood
Fe-Wood Solar Expert Posts: 96 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Hey all- Happy fourth to you!
My question today is about a battery tender for my electric fence.
I have a big box store battery that is 12VDC with 575 Cold Cranking amps and 100 amp hours... Don't know the rating method.
My fence charger runs on a 12VDC @ 180 Milla Amps. What would be the proper size PV panel to leave on the fence charger full time , I.e. all running 24/7? Should I use a charge controller too?

I'm thinking a 10w panel with .59 amp at about 17v as a off the cuff guess....

Thanks for the help!!!
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Comments

  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Solar Powered Electric Fence Battery Tender

    Do you want to keep it charged against use, or just extend its operating time?

    Frankly 1/2 an Amp on a 100 Amp hour battery isn't much. Not even maintenance level.

    Your using a bit under 5 Amp hours per day, so to keep it going you really need over 1 Amp from the panel just to meet that. So you really need about 20 Watts of panel minimum. Ideally, one of these charge controllers http://www.solar-electric.com/sg-4.html and a lot more panel (like 80 Watts) would be nice.
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  • NorthGuy
    NorthGuy Solar Expert Posts: 1,913 ✭✭
    #3
    Re: Solar Powered Electric Fence Battery Tender

    You can buy a single unit solar fence charger which comes with a panel, a battery, and everything is sized to work.
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  • Fe-Wood
    Fe-Wood Solar Expert Posts: 96 ✭✭
    #4
    Re: Solar Powered Electric Fence Battery Tender

    I know! But why would I if I already have battery and charger? That would be to easy:roll:
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