Solar electric fence advice?

[mammabooh]

The nasty coons are climbing over my garden fence. I'm thinking about getting some solar-powered electric fencing to put above the existing fence. I'd attach some sort of poles so they would stick about the fence posts and string the wire on those. Any advice on how high above the existing fence I should put it? Should I maybe string 2 rows of wire? Also, what voltage is necessary to effectively deter the vile creatures? The garden is about 40 x 45. Would a 2-mile fencer put out enough voltage?

Thanks so much for any advice you can give. They've already had their fill of strawberries, but I'm sure they'd like to visit again when the sweet corn is ready.

[peri_simmons]

In my city lot, I have raccoons the size of Volkwagons!! They climb over my roof to my backyard as they climb out of the sewer in front of my house.


They however, hate squash, pumpkins, etc. they hate walking over these crops so I have planted these on the perimeter of my garden.

It helps so much, for years, I had to guard my garden like a prison guard until I got a dog and did the three sisters thing by just planting those crops so the vermin had to step over certain crops and it seems they hated to do so.

Best of luck!!!

[Bearfootfarm]

Use "stand off" insulators and you wont need to add more posts . They make them that attach to most any kind of posts.

The voltage wont have to be very high, especially if you attach some ground rods to the existing fence. Most any size charger will work for that small an area, but bigger is better if you think you may want to use it for something else later on.

You dont really have to make the fence taller as long as they come into contact with the hot wire before they get to the top. A couple of hot wires extended out at a 90 degree angle to the top of the fence will insure they cant help but touch it.

http://electric-deer-fence.com/elect.../woodposts.htm

For $5 you could get a bag of the 2" and a bag of the 5". Just mount them one above the other with the longer one on top and no coon will get past it

[bill not in oh]

What kind of fence do you have now?

[mammabooh]

Originally Posted by bill in oh

What kind of fence do you have now?

It's wire fencing...maybe 3 1/2 feet tall with 2 x 3 inch openings.

[bill not in oh]

What kind of posts?

[mammabooh]

Originally Posted by bill in oh

What kind of posts?

wood 4 x 4's at the corners and on either side of the gate...metal T-posts in between the wood posts. I can post a pic if you'd like.

[bill not in oh]

Originally Posted by mammabooh

wood 4 x 4's at the corners and on either side of the gate...metal T-posts in between the wood posts. I can post a pic if you'd like.

go for it...

[mammabooh]

[bill not in oh]

Pretty garden!!

Fi-Shock makes electric fencing products.

For the T-posts SC-20 or SC-25 (5 inch extender) is what you want to hold the wire away from the t-posts. If you use 2 wires place one at 30 inches from the ground and the second at 36 inches. That will insure that the coon will be fully engaged with the (grounded) fencing when it contacts the electrified wire - ZAPPO. That raccoon will find somewhere else to play. For the wood posts and the gate the same company makes the same offset that attaches with nails C-30. You can get Fi-Shock products at Tractor Supply or any good farm store. The Ace Hardware (WG Dairy) in Creston should carry them.

http://www.fishock.com/store/dept.as...RM9SN02E500439

If you're forced to use a solar charger, get a 20-30 mile model - it should have more kick to it.

[mammabooh]

Thanks so much, Bill...that's exactly what I needed to know.