Electric Fence - where do I start?

fortyonenorth · August 26, 2011

Over the last two weeks, I estimate that I've been losing an average of 3-5 pounds of produce each night to the local raccoons. I've never had a problem before and I'm not sure why it's so bad this year. I have a very well-stocked compost pile that can't seem to satisfy their midnight cravings. So....

I'm thinking about installing an electric fence next year. Anyone out there using one who could offer tips and tricks on installation and operation? I read on another forum where a guy simply ties chicken wire fencing to his household 120 VAC - I thought that was a novel approach.

I'm looking for a deterrent rather than a BBQ.

b54red · August 27, 2011

I have to keep my little miniature dachshunds out of my garden and have had the best success with a fence charger that has a steady charge as opposed to the pulse charge type. Definitely go with the fiberglass fence posts that way you won't have to use insulators and set the lowest wire about 4 to 5 inches high and one above it about 12 inches high. Use your weed eater to keep the grass and weeds away from the wire. I use a small animal charger that puts out 2000 volts. It stings a little when I touch it but nothing serious but the dogs really don't like it. I had a pulse type of the same power but it did not keep them out. I think if you go with a pulse type you will need more power. If you have small animals as pets you need to stay with the small animal type fencer because the larger units can kill them.

**Mischka** · August 27, 2011

Check this thread out.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=15237

As I said previously, the most important part of an effective electric fence is making sure it is properly grounded. Even the smallest charger should give more than a sting when you touch it - it should hurt.

I do not recommend using a continuous current charger for many reasons. Unlike intermittent "pulse" chargers, they send out AC current over the fence line, not DC. They are very dangerous if a pet or child should become entangled in the wires, because there's no "pulse-off" time. They are also prone to losing their effectiveness when grounded by weeds and vegetation because their amperage, by law, must be a lot lower than a DC pulse charger. Some states and muncipalities prohibit the use of AC current on any electrified fence and your homeowners insurance policy might not cover any damages resulting from the use of an AC output, continuous-current charger.

There's nothing more effective for keeping out predators and garden-trashing foragers than a properly installed electric fence. I wouldn't be able to keep poultry and livestock - or have a garden without them.

**Mischka** · August 27, 2011

If your garden isn't huge, you might want to invest in electrified netting. I use it here for rotational grazing with my flock of geese and I've never lost one to a fox, coyote, fisher, etc.

It's not cheap, but it's easy to set up and take down. And, since each pole also serves as a ground you don't have to worry about losing effectiveness from dry soil conditions.

I buy mine here: http://www.kencove.com/fence/Electri...ng_product.php

You can often pick up remnant sizes from them, too. If there's none listed in the clearance section, give them a call and ask. They're really helpful and friendly folks.

Elizabeth · August 27, 2011

I had an electric pet fence 15-20 years ago to keep the neighbor cats from using my beds as a litter box. I cannot remember the brand, but it was a controller box and you set up 2 wires using standard electric fence wire holding thingys. It was pretty straightforward, but kinda fussy as we had to install wood uprights on the existing fence, then attach the wire holders, then string the wire (a fairly heavy gauge). I don't have it anymore because it's probably not legal where I am in the city - I was out in the country back then and people everywhere used electric fences for livestock so it was no big deal.

It was quite effective - once I installed it I never again stuck a finger in kitty doo while planting. (gross-a-rooni)

One tiny word of advice...after it is installed, if you happen to be out there measuring something in your yard with a metal tape measure, don't let the tape hit the live wires... Bzzzzzz!!!!! ZING!!!!

LOL

ddsack · August 27, 2011

I'd never heard of the electric netting before, thanks Mischka for the link. I'll have to see about adding it to our sweet corn next year to keep out the skunks. I use three strands on my gardens now to keep out the deer, but small heavily furred critters can get under too easily since the ground is not level. I like that the stakes are included in the electric netting fence.

I usually forget that the fences are on about once a season and get zapped when I lean over to pick or straighten something. The one on the fence battery is just a very unpleasant tingle, but the one on house current that I used back when I had horses, has set me back on my heels pretty good. I now have it firmly imbedded in my brain to look back one last time to be sure I've unplugged it from the power post before I enter the garden.

b54red · August 28, 2011

Mishka, I am only speaking from my own experience. You may very well be right about the use of the pulse type; but I have had no luck with them. I have gone through 5 different chargers and three different types of posts and two types of wire. I prefer the fiberglass posts and aluminum wire for my limited use. Very good grounding is critical for the fence to work properly.

The first was a high amperage pulse unit that was just too painful to me personally when I would accidentally touch it. I had to get rid of it when my first child was old enough to play in the yard. I only had one dog at the time and it only took her one time touching that wire to never try again so it was very effective but very painful especially if the grass was wet.

The second was an old horse fencer of the continuous pulse type and it did ground out easily on weeds but it was effective with my dogs. It also killed one squirrel and a large blackbird. It never harmed my smaller than 10 pound dogs though I'm sure if they stayed on it long enough it might have. It would give me nothing more than an slightly unpleasant tingle when I touched it which I did rather often. I used it for years before it failed.

The next two I tried were small animal pulse units which also failed to deter my dogs from going through it. One of them was so weak I could hold the wire and barely feel anything and the other was not much better.

I went back to a small animal continuous charge unit that has worked very well for the last year or so. I have two very large dogs that need to be separated from my small dogs as well as my garden. I know the large dogs are dangerous in the extreme to the small dogs so I have to go with what works.

August 26, 2011	#1
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	Electric Fence - where do I start? Over the last two weeks, I estimate that I've been losing an average of 3-5 pounds of produce each night to the local raccoons. I've never had a problem before and I'm not sure why it's so bad this year. I have a very well-stocked compost pile that can't seem to satisfy their midnight cravings. So.... I'm thinking about installing an electric fence next year. Anyone out there using one who could offer tips and tricks on installation and operation? I read on another forum where a guy simply ties chicken wire fencing to his household 120 VAC - I thought that was a novel approach. I'm looking for a deterrent rather than a BBQ.

August 27, 2011	#3
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	Check this thread out. http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=15237 As I said previously, the most important part of an effective electric fence is making sure it is properly grounded. Even the smallest charger should give more than a sting when you touch it - it should hurt. I do not recommend using a continuous current charger for many reasons. Unlike intermittent "pulse" chargers, they send out AC current over the fence line, not DC. They are very dangerous if a pet or child should become entangled in the wires, because there's no "pulse-off" time. They are also prone to losing their effectiveness when grounded by weeds and vegetation because their amperage, by law, must be a lot lower than a DC pulse charger. Some states and muncipalities prohibit the use of AC current on any electrified fence and your homeowners insurance policy might not cover any damages resulting from the use of an AC output, continuous-current charger. There's nothing more effective for keeping out predators and garden-trashing foragers than a properly installed electric fence. I wouldn't be able to keep poultry and livestock - or have a garden without them. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

August 27, 2011	#4
Mischka Tomatoville® Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Bay State Posts: 3,207	If your garden isn't huge, you might want to invest in electrified netting. I use it here for rotational grazing with my flock of geese and I've never lost one to a fox, coyote, fisher, etc. It's not cheap, but it's easy to set up and take down. And, since each pole also serves as a ground you don't have to worry about losing effectiveness from dry soil conditions. I buy mine here: http://www.kencove.com/fence/Electri...ng_product.php You can often pick up remnant sizes from them, too. If there's none listed in the clearance section, give them a call and ask. They're really helpful and friendly folks. __________________ Mischka One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved." No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

August 27, 2011	#5
Elizabeth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Coastal - Zone 10b Posts: 204	I had an electric pet fence 15-20 years ago to keep the neighbor cats from using my beds as a litter box. I cannot remember the brand, but it was a controller box and you set up 2 wires using standard electric fence wire holding thingys. It was pretty straightforward, but kinda fussy as we had to install wood uprights on the existing fence, then attach the wire holders, then string the wire (a fairly heavy gauge). I don't have it anymore because it's probably not legal where I am in the city - I was out in the country back then and people everywhere used electric fences for livestock so it was no big deal. It was quite effective - once I installed it I never again stuck a finger in kitty doo while planting. (gross-a-rooni) One tiny word of advice...after it is installed, if you happen to be out there measuring something in your yard with a metal tape measure, don't let the tape hit the live wires... Bzzzzzz!!!!! ZING!!!! LOL __________________ Elizabeth If I'm going to water and care for a plant it had better give me food, flowers or shade.

August 27, 2011	#6
ddsack Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3 Posts: 3,231	I'd never heard of the electric netting before, thanks Mischka for the link. I'll have to see about adding it to our sweet corn next year to keep out the skunks. I use three strands on my gardens now to keep out the deer, but small heavily furred critters can get under too easily since the ground is not level. I like that the stakes are included in the electric netting fence. I usually forget that the fences are on about once a season and get zapped when I lean over to pick or straighten something. The one on the fence battery is just a very unpleasant tingle, but the one on house current that I used back when I had horses, has set me back on my heels pretty good. I now have it firmly imbedded in my brain to look back one last time to be sure I've unplugged it from the power post before I enter the garden. __________________ Dee **************

August 27, 2011	#2
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I have to keep my little miniature dachshunds out of my garden and have had the best success with a fence charger that has a steady charge as opposed to the pulse charge type. Definitely go with the fiberglass fence posts that way you won't have to use insulators and set the lowest wire about 4 to 5 inches high and one above it about 12 inches high. Use your weed eater to keep the grass and weeds away from the wire. I use a small animal charger that puts out 2000 volts. It stings a little when I touch it but nothing serious but the dogs really don't like it. I had a pulse type of the same power but it did not keep them out. I think if you go with a pulse type you will need more power. If you have small animals as pets you need to stay with the small animal type fencer because the larger units can kill them.

August 28, 2011	#7
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Mishka, I am only speaking from my own experience. You may very well be right about the use of the pulse type; but I have had no luck with them. I have gone through 5 different chargers and three different types of posts and two types of wire. I prefer the fiberglass posts and aluminum wire for my limited use. Very good grounding is critical for the fence to work properly. The first was a high amperage pulse unit that was just too painful to me personally when I would accidentally touch it. I had to get rid of it when my first child was old enough to play in the yard. I only had one dog at the time and it only took her one time touching that wire to never try again so it was very effective but very painful especially if the grass was wet. The second was an old horse fencer of the continuous pulse type and it did ground out easily on weeds but it was effective with my dogs. It also killed one squirrel and a large blackbird. It never harmed my smaller than 10 pound dogs though I'm sure if they stayed on it long enough it might have. It would give me nothing more than an slightly unpleasant tingle when I touched it which I did rather often. I used it for years before it failed. The next two I tried were small animal pulse units which also failed to deter my dogs from going through it. One of them was so weak I could hold the wire and barely feel anything and the other was not much better. I went back to a small animal continuous charge unit that has worked very well for the last year or so. I have two very large dogs that need to be separated from my small dogs as well as my garden. I know the large dogs are dangerous in the extreme to the small dogs so I have to go with what works.