Electric Fence Insulators

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

AHHH - I just love dogs. One of my Anatolians has a thing for hoses in long lengths. She insists that the proper length for a hose is approx 1 foot. She is amazing at her ability to measure this proper length.

I wonder if I can use these lengths of hose as insulators for electric fence wire going around wood fence posts and possible t-posts if I can figure out how to attach.

[knight88]

I tried using both hose pieces and PVC pipe pieces, not good, they both seem to become coated with carbon which is a conductor of electricity. looked out at the fence one afternoon and I had smoke rising from a fence post.. Definately don't want a fire especially since I am a firefighter...

[Rowdy]

I have used bits of water hose before and did not have any problems big troubles. I like the hard plastic tubing better, but it did work for me. I still have a couple of pieces still in service, after about two years or so. This was some of the heaver white RV water hose though.

[Bearfootfarm]

I've used old water hose on one of my fences and so far its worked great.
I haven't tried it on T posts but it's done fine going around wooden posts

[Siryet]

we use garden hose at the wood posts, metal posts and anywhere else we need flex insulation. Also have some PVC as insulators.
I will be checking my wood post tho as I don' need any fire here. Thanks for the tip.

[Liese]

We too have used cut up hose for insulation on T-posts - just putting in the fences this last year so can only say -so far no problems. I'll have to pull one tho and check that carbon issue.

[daytrader]

I used to use them. Now I have Hightensil fencing and use the proper insulator for going around the post.

These are not that expensive and work well. They are very heavy plastic that has a metal strip in the plastic. That way the metal wire dosn't cut through the insulator when tightening it up.

I use these folks for all my fenceing needs. http://www.kencove.com/fence/ They are great folks and offer great free advice on the phone.

[wnychris]

Originally Posted by knight88

I tried using both hose pieces and PVC pipe pieces, not good, they both seem to become coated with carbon which is a conductor of electricity. looked out at the fence one afternoon and I had smoke rising from a fence post.. Definately don't want a fire especially since I am a firefighter...

Good point here... I did have the FD out here one morning in July... not due to a bad insulator, but our belgian stallion decided to push a large pile of hay into the fence wire. It lit up and it was too close to the barn for my comfort. A good fence charger can and will start a fire so you always want to be aware of what is near the wire and the condition of the fence, insulators ect.