Fence Charger barely shocking

SeaGoat · #1 05/02/15, 09:28 AM

The past couple days my charger has quit sending out a strong charge.

Thinking it was grounding out somewhere we couldn't find we snipped about 16" of wire and hooked it directly to the charger.

Still, barely shocking.
Its been raining here, we've had the wettest April on record, but for good measure I watered the grounding rods (we are using the one for the house). Still, nill.

I don't know if my charger got wet or what.

We've had it in this same spot for a couple years with no problems (except for little grounding out issues here and there)

Any ideas?

Bearfootfarm · #2 05/02/15, 09:30 AM

You may have blown a fuse, or your ground connection isn't good

Quote:

I watered the grounding rods (we are using the one for the house). Still, nill.

It's better to use seperate grounding systems

BakersAcres · #3 05/02/15, 09:36 AM

The standard recommendation from Gallagher is using 3 ground rods, 8'-10' long, spaced 10 feet apart.

SeaGoat · #4 05/02/15, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

You may have blown a fuse, or your ground connection isn't good

It's better to use seperate grounding systems

Blown a fuse within the charger box?

Bearfootfarm · #5 05/02/15, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahFair

Blown a fuse within the charger box?

Yes, some have fuses inside, and they are often an odd size

Some use standard automotive fuses

Are you using a fence tester, or just touching to feel the shock?

Muleman · #6 05/02/15, 09:41 AM

90% of charger issues is related to having a good ground. I would start by looking at the ground and insuring I had a good one. Then once you establish you are definitely grounded good look at a problem with the charger. Maybe corrosion on the grounding clamp or connections? I would loosen all the connections and re-tighten them to be sure.

blanket · #7 05/02/15, 09:36 PM

ground

blanket · #8 05/02/15, 09:37 PM

unhook all the wires and test between the terminals

SeaGoat · #9 05/03/15, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blanket

unhook all the wires and test between the terminals

How is this done?

Bearfootfarm · #10 05/03/15, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahFair

How is this done?

If you have a fence tester, you touch one end to the terminal that says "fence" and the other to the "ground" terminal

This tells you if the problem is the charger itself, or if it's in the fence or ground wiring

M88A1 · #11 05/05/15, 06:39 AM

Bearfootfarm is spot on to start the troubleshooting process. I did the same, turned out that my electric fence wire popped out the plastic holder and was touching my fieldwire fence. But I established the charger was working with the $10 fence tester.

NEfarmgirl · #12 05/05/15, 07:44 AM

If you had lightening check the fuses. We had a storm roll through and our fencer was not as strong as normal so hubby started walking the fence checking everything. Usually after it gets wet we find we grass touching the wire and once removed the fence is good again. After finding nothing, he checked the fuses and found one blown. I hope you found the problem?

SeaGoat · #13 05/05/15, 08:49 AM

I accidently dropped the "hot" screw down into the box.

I don't have the propper screw to unscrew the box unless I want to purchase a expensive kit, so I'm sick for now

arabian knight · #14 05/06/15, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahFair

I accidently dropped the "hot" screw down into the box.

I don't have the propper screw to unscrew the box unless I want to purchase a expensive kit, so I'm sick for now

Don't know what special screws are in the charger but if it is what is called Torx

This set is 6 bucks. Deluxe Torx Driver Kit Storage T5-T10

Or if this kind.
SAE Folding Tamperproof Torx Set (8-Piece) This one is 10 bucks,
These both are on Amazon