Electric fence Problems

pancho · #21 01/22/12, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvercreek Farmer

So I have isolated every wire and get the same result on each one, weak current. The fence is spotless. The only thing I can think of is that my corner post insulators are bad. I have these type Electric fence Problems - Homesteading Questions

Electric fence Problems - Homesteading Questions

and perhaps the wires have rubbed through the inside of them. I think I am going to try furring them out with some sort of rubber and see if that helps...

I tried those but they failed quite often. Didn't last very long at all.

Silvercreek Farmer · #22 01/23/12, 04:13 PM

From Parmaks website:

DO replace ground rods every two years or so. The ground rods will rust under ground and over time will no longer be a good ground.

I have set up my second wire up as a ground with my first and third hot all about 5 inches from each other. Hopefully this will do the trick.

Silvercreek Farmer · #23 02/01/12, 11:22 AM

Just ordered a new Parmak SE4...

gwithrow · #24 03/02/12, 05:53 AM

I just had a phone call from Brookside Fence Charger repair, I have never ever had such incredible customer service....he is going to rebuild my bad charger....a solar model, Patriot something....he is rebuilding it with Parmak guts....and offering a warranty...this will cost less than a new portable short term use charger.....he highly recommends Parmak and he seems to be very skilled at reworking almost any issue that might come up with any brand of charger...so I will for sure be keeping his number in my resource book...it is a pleasure to do business with folks like this.....

DanielY · #25 03/02/12, 06:18 AM

My first guess, it is the ground rods. Corrosion will cause them to loose contact. dry soil will also.

solidwoods · #26 03/02/12, 07:11 AM

I'd disconnect all strands but 1 and test. Then rehook up each strand 1 at a time and check them. If one of the strands is grounding it should show it.
jim

monkeybackfarm · #27 03/02/12, 08:35 AM

I use 3, 8' copper ground rods plus a 10' galvanized 3/4 water pipe.I get the max from my parmak even in dry weather. I have learned not to trust plastic insulators as some companies use cheap polmers which can short through to the nail or screw. Black widow is a trusted company along with the round porcline insulators.

pancho · #28 03/02/12, 09:30 AM

I use one ground rod. The length depends on how hard it is to put it in.
I use every other wire as the ground. Works good and I get the max between the wires from my charger.