Missing Power

We had gotten the fence put up in the back of the big hay field. This temporary electric fence is used to allow the main herd to graze in the small field in the back of the big field. This small field gives the herd a water source for drinking, a pasture area with grass growing for grazing and  access to the hillside where they can meander under the tall firs during inclement weather.

We have to electrify the fence to keep the herd out of what was the nursery field so the grass can grow and be harvested for hay in late June.

There is no access to commercially supplied electricity so we use these portable solar units to charge the fence. However, after sitting all winter in storage, this unit did not work. The problem was the battery, it would not take a charge.

The batteries from these units are recycled, the purchaser pays a ‘core charge’ for the battery when bought. We took in the battery from this unit to get the ‘core charge’ of $12. that was used to purchase the new battery. It cost seems a little excessive, but it guarantees that the batteries are returned for recycling rather than landing up in a landfill.

Once the new battery was installed, the fence was checked and there was a good current flowing through the fence. Not anything strong enough to hurt and animal, but strong enough to deter them grazing on the wrong side of the fence.