Whether you want to protect your pasture against intruder animals, or your livestock from going beyond your farm, an electric fence comes in handy.
However, these fences come with high costs that make your energy bills shoot high. That’s why in this article, we have shortlisted the best solar fence charger that can help you reduce this cost and do it in an eco-friendly way.
6 Best Solar Fence Chargers Reviewed for 2024
Since we know that there are numerous solar fence chargers in the market, here is a list of some of the best solar fence chargers we compiled for just for you.
1. Parmak Magnum Solar-Pak 12 Volt Electric Fence Charger – Best Overall
The first one on our solar fence charger reviews is the Parmak Magnum Solar-Pak 12 and not without valid reasons. For one, this low-impedance solar fence charger contains a 12V battery that can charge a fence of up to 30 miles. The energizer uses the sunlight energy during the day to power the fence and uses the energy stored in the 12V sealed battery to power the fence by night.
The advanced solar panel attached to this solar generates energy from the sun and stores it in the low impedance 12V rechargeable battery. The benefits that come with using this product include:
- It is a very powerful fencer that ensures that even the large animals are catered for.
- The fencer comes with a 1-year warranty on battery and a 2-year warranty for any damage by lighting.
- You can monitor the solar fence charger even during the night using the in-built performance meter. The meter also helps you to detect any problem in charging that may occur.
- The solar fencer has a low impedance battery that ensures that current is not wasted on vegetation.
- Based on the manufacturer’s information, the charger can give you a max of 14 days of energy, even without any sunlight.
- You will enjoy its weatherproof feature, as well as its portability.
- The solar charger is suitable for large pasture. We consider this as the best solar fence charger for cattle and other large animals like horses
2. Zareba ESP10M-Z 10-Mile Solar Low Impedance Charger – Runner Up
Another fantastic product that finds its place in our list is the Zareba ESP10M-Z 10-Mile fencer. With a 6-volt battery, this charger produces 1.5 joules of energy that can be used to power 10 miles of an electric fence. Also, the product can charge the battery to keep the fence functional for two weeks of no sunshine.
The charger comes with an inbuilt indicator light that flashes to indicate that the fence is being charged properly. Also, with the low impedance feature, it prevents the excessive drainage of energy when the fence comes into contact with vegetation. It has unique integrated mounts that enable easy and fast installation on round wood posts, T-post, as well as Y-posts.
Benefits of using this product:
- Easy to install and it’s also energy efficient
- Comes with a one-year warranty that covers up to damages caused by lightning
- The charger can power 10 miles of electric fence
- Suitable for any fence
- Low impedance
- Ideal for various sizes of animals from pigs, dogs, cows, and even horses
3. Red Snap’r ESP2M-RS 2-Mile Solar Fence Charger – Best Budget
If you have a limited budget, and you need to contain small-sized animals, this Snap’r ESP2M-RS 2-Mile solar fencer will work correctly for you. With a 4V battery, the charger has an output of 0.04 joules and can power a 2-miles long fence.
Although not ideal for larger animals like cattle and horses, this solar fence charger will serve you well to restrain your smaller animals. The only drawback with this charger is that it is ideal for vegetation-free fences.
Benefits of using this product:
- One-year warranty that covers even lightning damage
- Cost friendly
- The 4V battery produces 0.04 joules to power a 2-miles fence
- Ideal for steel and aluminum wire fences
- Has an inbuilt handle for smooth movement
- Easy to install in almost any surface
- Resistant to harsh weather conditions
4. Fi-Shock ESP2M-FS 2-Mile Solar-Powered Electric Fence Charger
For those who don’t need a large solar fence charger, Fi-Shock 2-Mile fencer is an excellent option. This entry level charger is a product of Fi-Shock, which is a company that is well known for producing electric fence systems. With a maximum powering range of 2 miles, this solar fence charger is ideal for sizeable farms not covering many miles.
The system also works well with various fence materials, including poly wire, steel, and more. Also, it uses the low impedance technology, which enables it to transmit the current without losing much on things like vegetation that touch it.
Benefits of using this product include:
- The charger can work with multiple fencing materials
- The low-impedance technology ensures that there is no wastage of unnecessary energy
- You can comfortably use this solar fence charger to contain various types of small animals, including rabbits and chickens. (Check out our roundup review of the best solar chicken coop lights if you are also looking to add some illumination into your chicken coop).
- The charger comes with a 4V battery which will offer you a 04-joule output
- Very handy and a portable solar fence charger
- It’s a portable and handy solar fence charger
- Not expensive
- Comes with a flashing light which tells if the fence is working properly
5. Patriot P10 Dual Purpose Electric Fence Energizer
Patriot P10 is one of the best dual-purpose electric fencers available in the market. With a 4.7 review rating on Amazon, New Zealand made solar fence charger is an ideal solution for containing few numbers of animals. New Zealand is well known for livestock keeping and export, and therefore, their products also have an advantage in the market.
The product has several unique features that differentiate it from the rest. Its powering characteristics is one of the distinctive features as it can be powered in one of three ways.
For starters, it can be powered using a 12 volts DC source particularly from a battery, as well as a solar panel system. Also, you can power the charger from an alternating current which gives you options, and you can pick your preferred way.
Benefits of using this product:
- Comes with a two-year warranty for full replacement
- Ideal for containing a smaller number of animals
- Fairly cost-friendly
- Offer a 30-mile distance coverage
- Made of a waterproof casing
- You can use either DC or AC sources to power the charger
6. Zareba ESP30M-Z 30-Mile Solar-Powered Low-Impedance Electric Fence Charger
With a 0.5-joule output and a 30-miles coverage, this product is one of the most reliable solar fencers in the market. Just like most solar fence chargers, this too will give you a power backup that can last your fence up to two weeks in the absence of sunlight. This is possible due to its inbuilt 12V rechargeable battery.
Additionally, the Zareba ESP30M-Z 30-Mile energizer is a perfect option in an area with dense vegetation, although the entire range would slightly reduce. With this product by your side, you can control all types of livestock, as well as all other intruding animals.
Benefits of using this product:
- Although slightly more massive, the model is easy to install
- The best option for large farms especially with no utility grid connection with its 30-mile range
- Uses low-impedance technology and therefore there will be less battery drain
- The 2, 6V batteries can store power to last up to 14 days with no sunlight
- Has a two-year warranty
What is a Solar Fence Charger?
Also referred to as a solar fencer or energizer, a solar fence charger is a device that helps generate the electrical current that runs through the solar electric fence.
Solar fencers use energy from the sun to make the power that is used to deter encroaching animals or prevent livestock from going beyond a particular area.
A solar fence charger is rated based on the current it produces.
The current that is produced is then conducted through a sequence of uninsulated, electric wires that together form a closed circuit. The fence system must be grounded.
Why Buy a Solar Fence Charger?
Having an electric fence around your farm or property is a great way to protect yourself and animals.
Solar fence chargers are a great option since they will need exposure to sunlight to cater to the power needs of your electric fence. With these solar chargers, you incur a one-time cost of purchase, and then they serve you for a significantly long time.
Whether you want to protect your pasture against intruder animals, or your livestock from going beyond your farm, an electric fence comes in handy.
There are numerous types of solar fence chargers that you can pick from including both DC and AC models, as well as multiple battery-powered options.
Among all these options, the DC chargers are the easiest to implement as they can internally store their power.
On the other hand, an external power outlet connection is necessary for the AC chargers to operate.
How a Solar Fence Charger Works
A solar fence charger works in the same way as an electric fence energizer would. The charger makes electrical current to run through the uninsulated wires, which acts as barriers to both animals and humans. The flow in the cables will inflict a painful but short shock to humans or animals that come into contact with it.
In most cases, the shock is not lethal and won’t physically harm the animal but rather make it fear to go near the fence.
However, there some instances where high current chargers may be installed for greater security, especially on homes.
Important Solar Fencer Charger Considerations Before Buying
Just like in any other purchase, there are several things you out to consider before buying. For example, you need to know about the size of the fence, battery life, and size of the animals, among others. These things will help you identify which solar fence charger best suits your needs.
The solar charger that you choose should be able to meet the requirements of your farm efficiently.
These important factors include:
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, the longer, the better. This is the measure of your battery’s performance, longevity, or the total run time when on a full charge. With an efficient battery with long battery life, you can relax knowing that you are sorted during the cold months when sunlight is limited, as well as during the nights.
Battery life can be measured in milliampere-hours or by the number of charge cycles before the battery cannot keep a charge anymore.
See Related: Best Batteries for Solar Panels
Joule Output
This is the amount of energy that you anticipate your solar fence charger to produce. The amount of power that you require will depend on the are that you want to protect, which will determine the size of the fence. The larger the area, the higher the power output you require.
You need an output that will be enough to keep the livestock inside and the intruding animals at bay. The higher the joule output of a battery, the better it depends on the farm size, and the bigger the shock.
Size of Animals
Also, the kind of animals you are targeting matters. Different size of animals will require a varying amount of charge to shock them. Larger animals will need a stronger shock than smaller animals.
For example, its harder to keep large animals like a horse in that it would be to smaller animals like sheep or raccoons.
Type of Fencing
In terms of fencing, this will depend on the material used. Some elements of fencing require more charge than others and thus determine the type of fence charger you need. For example, poly wire and tape rope require more power than the steel wire fence, which is less resistant to electricity.
Also, for materials like poly rope, they need low-impedance chargers while multi-strand fences need additional power as well as coverage capability.
Weatherproof
Since the solar fence charger will be kept outdoors, you must consider its durability, as well as its resistance to various weather components. The charger should be able to survive different weather conditions, including rain, wind, intense sunlight, among others, without any problem.
Impedance Level
With impedance, you should find a solar charger with low-impendence. Impendence means the ability of vegetation around the fence to draw current from the system, thus disrupting the electrical current. With low-impedance charger, the shock inflicted by the fence should last for just .003 seconds to avoid losing much power one vegetation.
If you buy a high-impedance solar fence charger, you might be losing considerable energy when the fence comes into contact with things like weeds or large animals.
The low-impedance chargers are an ideal option as they can push more current through the wires, unlike the solid-state chargers.
Conclusion on Best Solar Fence Charger
Whether it’s a small garden or a vast pasture, protecting what is inside is paramount for the farmer. We have to protect the livestock from predators. Also, we need to protect plants from herbivorous animals which may spoil our harvest.
I believe that this best solar fence charge guide has everything you need to enable you to protect your farm, or contain your livestock, especially if you want to go off-grid.
What do you think of these solar fence chargers? Please let us know in the comments below.
