solar fence chargers

[pistolpete]

I have been shopping around for a solar fence charger.  We're definitely in bear country here, so I need something that packs a punch but won't break the bank.  So far I haven't come up with anything that fits both of those criteria at the same time.    I have been using a Parmak Solar Pak 12, but they're over $400, so I'm hoping to do better for my second outyard.  Does anyone have recommendations for brand and model, or advice on the ratings needed for good bear control?

[Perry]

Hey Pete:

I went with a battery instead of solar. Too many stories of the solar ones going missing for my taste, at least around here. I'll be sitting the battery (marine) and charger inside a empty hive.

[robo]

I've tried a few brands, but always end up back with Parmak.  Watch eBay,  you can pick them up cheaper there.   I have also modified a few non-solar Parmaks with these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-watt-solar-battery-charger-68692.html


I've picked up the non-solar Parmaks off ebay for as little as $60,  add a $20 solar charger and I'm good.

[Lburou]

I can vouch for the Parmak brand insofar as it works great keeping the deer and other varmints away from my backyard.  I'm on my fifth year with a Solar Pak 6 and just changed the original battery. 

I've read where people wrap bacon on the hot wire to establish a physiological barrier for a bear.  Bears and livestock can get through a couple strands of wire, whether its electrified or not.  Establish the psychological barrier by baiting the bear to lick the hot wire.  Repeat for each individual animal as it comes to your area. There are several videos on youtube showing actual research in the area of establishing a psychological barrier with bears.

Good Luck!

P.S. Some use pieces of aluminum fold in half and draped over the hot wire with bacon on the surface, it makes a large area for the bear to lick.

[Slowmodem]

P.S. Some use pieces of aluminum fold in half and draped over the hot wire with bacon on the surface, it makes a large area for the bear to lick.

I've heard you can use peanut butter, too.

[Slowmodem]

Those solar chargers look interesting!

[brooksbeefarm]

My neighbor put a solar charger fence on both sides of our line fence to keep our bulls apart, well i was cleaning out the fence row and got my arm on it i don't know what brand it is, BUTT, that babie can light you up. Jack

[rwlaw]

ESPECIALLY if your a good ground LOL. As a kid, wish I knew then what I know now, would've saved me getting lit up  more than a few times.
If anybody's interested in solar panel that came off a sign light fixture let me know and I'll send the specs. The circut board screwed up on it and the company replaced the whole deal, hate to throw it away. It maintained a motorcycle sized battery.

[riverbee]

i use a parmak solar fencer, nothing else. they are the best on the planet and well built. i have used other units, and they fail. the parmaks are expensive, but so are replacement costs for hives and bees.  IMHO it is not necessary to bait a fence. also, no less than 7500 volts or .15 joules. mine is a parmak 6 but i have a little extra fortress and would use a 12 otherwise. the 6 runs at about 11,500 volts. the joule rating on this is somewhere between 0.75 and 1.8.

here is a good thread:

Fenced Enclosure

read from there, i also have some pdf links in post #30 for further info.  good luck pete.

[Perry]

Mine is a Parmak Magnum 12.
Joule rating of 1.1 low and 3.1+ high, enough to put the curls back in Jack's hair!
http://www.parmakusa.com/product_details.php?PId=2

I loved this review on it:

Absolutely great having the voltage meter, I hooked mine outside on a 4x4 with a pail over it and it has performed flawlessly so far through torrential rain (only been using it about a week though) so far, so good. It delivers a powerful jolt too which is great because we have bears that think chickens are a tasty treat. I hit the wire by accident and it felt like a brush with death, I would recommend this to my friends and particularly my foes.

[riverbee]

it is nice to have the voltage meter on these.
i have hit the wires on the parmak solar 6 by accident, i am not a bear, but sure learned the first time........and the second time......not since.........

you don't need a pail on the parmak solar units to keep them moisture free, they are well built for this.

[LazyBkpr]

   I had an old Bushwhacker I loved...  it was not a pulse type, it was ON....    Shoot a spark into a weed until it fell over dead. This thing killed birds as well, so i had to be careful where i set the row of wire under it so birds didnt get zapped...
   A buddy of mine called me one day to see where I was..   he was at my house. i told him i was on my way there.. he said something, and then i heard the phone rolling and bouncing....  In the distance i could hear profanity.. a LOT of profanity.. LOUD profanity...  it faded a bit, then got louder, and I heard the phone get picked up..
   "You still there?"
   "Yeah, what happened?"
   "Thats the Hottest  &^%$# %&&*^ %& +% #$%& @&  Fence i have ever touched in my life!"
   My wife was driving, unfortunately.. because that let me talk on the phone with one hand, and drink my Diet Cherry Coke with the other hand...   The coke exited my nose under duress.....