Electric Fencer Power

mryimmers
mryimmers Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭
edited August 2016 in Solar Beginners Corner #1
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 
510 watt pv, TS-MPPT 60, Exeltech XP1100, XP600 & XP250 @ 24V, 4x Trojan 105RE, Trimetric 2030, Yamaha EF2400i gen.

Comments

  • vtmaps
    vtmaps Solar Expert Posts: 3,741 ✭✭✭✭
    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
    4 X 235watt Samsung, Midnite ePanel, Outback VFX3524 FM60 & mate, 4 Interstate L16, trimetric, Honda eu2000i
  • mryimmers
    mryimmers Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭
    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!!
    510 watt pv, TS-MPPT 60, Exeltech XP1100, XP600 & XP250 @ 24V, 4x Trojan 105RE, Trimetric 2030, Yamaha EF2400i gen.
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
  • mryimmers
    mryimmers Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭
    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
    510 watt pv, TS-MPPT 60, Exeltech XP1100, XP600 & XP250 @ 24V, 4x Trojan 105RE, Trimetric 2030, Yamaha EF2400i gen.
  • Johann
    Johann Solar Expert Posts: 245 ✭✭✭
    The battery could be charged of the house/cabin system and then put back to the fencer.
  • mryimmers
    mryimmers Solar Expert Posts: 117 ✭✭✭
    Ya that's what I'll do, shouldn't have to charge it too often.
    Thanks, vtmaps for pointing out the lightening aspect
    510 watt pv, TS-MPPT 60, Exeltech XP1100, XP600 & XP250 @ 24V, 4x Trojan 105RE, Trimetric 2030, Yamaha EF2400i gen.