Turning my fence charger into solar

[emptycupranch]

I am having a difficult time finding info on this...please let me know if you have any ideas!

I have a 12v battery powered fence charger (Patriot P10 30 mile). Is it possible to buy a solar panel to maintain and power the battery in order to convert it into a solar fence charger?

I have seen solar panel chargers for boat and rv batteries. Is this the same item I would use?

[Bearfootfarm]

I have seen solar panel chargers for boat and rv batteries. Is this the same item I would use?

Anything that would charge the battery should work, as long as it's output exceeds the usage.

[artificer]

Since the fence charger you listed can be powered by just connecting a 12v battery, the answer is: yes.

Something like this one from Harbor Freight would work. You might want to add a charge controller, if it doesn't come with one. The charge controller will prevent the solar panel from overcharging the battery.

Knowing Harbor Freight's reputation for "excellence" I don't know if I would go with the above products, but its a start. Maybe get the solar panel from them, and a charge controller from someone else. Or, if you have a local Walmart, something like this.

According to the specs, the charger draws 2.16amp hours per day. Using the standard 5 hrs of solar a day, a 5 watt solar panel will just about keep up with it. You will always have some cloudy day, "bird residue" or dirt, or other reasons the panel isn't putting out as much power as it possibly can. I would suggest either 10 or 15 watts of solar panel.

Michael

[joseph97297]

My dad took and made a larger battery bank for his, he added just four of the golf cart batteries to it, and a 35 watt panel. Little overkill, but now he doesn't worry about it all regardless of weather

[emptycupranch]

Thank you!

I talked to the people at Premier1 and they said with a 10w panel I should be fine for up to 9 fences! Sounds like the way to go for me then.

There is an ad in our local paper for a coleman 15w solar panel and a charge controller for $100. I called and left a message - hopefully they still have it!