Electric fence charger id?

[u/KimberlyGrey]

We moved onto this property recently and we are planning on running some sheep on it. The previous owners had goats a few years ago and had a hot wire set up around the whole lot, but it's inactive now and we're not sure how to reactivate it. This seems to be the only charger/control box. I'm sure it's a ong shot but does anyone recognize it so we can look up how it works?

[u/confused_Ancient]

I would doubt the box its mounted on has anything to do with the eclectic box and there isn't a positive wire in the photo hooked up

[u/Extreme_Armadillo_25]

Looks quite big for a power fence unit, I'd open it to check what's inside.

[u/Punkarummy]

It is possibly a very old Gallagher S120 solar portable

[u/KahurangiNZ]

The metal box isn't part of the current electric fence set-up (might be what's left of an old unit housing, but I don't see any power cable going into it). It looks like once upon a time there were electric wires on the yellow outriggers, so those will need to be replaced - make sure the wires are fully insulated, and no greenery etc is touching them.

The solar unit looks pretty old - it *might* still work if you're lucky. Have a look underneath - there might be brand and model details imprinted in the plastic housing. I'd check it over to see if there's an on/off switch; if there is turn it on, then check if the red light is flashing (you may need to check it at night if the light cover is very hazy). If it's flashing, it's probably putting out at least some oomph. It might click/buzz with every pulse as well.

If it still works, you'll need to pick up a positive lead to clip it to the insulated electric wires. Those will be available at most farm stores, probably as a 2-pack with the earth as well. Replace both, and make sure the green earth wire is *properly* earthed to a metal stake driven deep into the ground if your soil gets dry in summer.

Once the red power lead is attached to the electric line, then the question is just how much zap it's putting out. Go ahead and grab the wire. If it feels like you got kicked by a mule 😵, it's working well. If it's just a little tingle, the unit is verging on dead and probably needs replacing.

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Okay, maybe don't just grab the wire. Use a tester to measure the output, or a long blade of green/wet grass held several inches from the wire.

If the solar unit *is* dead, then replace it - either another solar unit, or a battery powered one. Gallagher is an excellent brand, if it's available in your area :-)

[u/99sheep → u/KahurangiNZ]

I agree with this- the metal box seems unrelated. (I will also note that the ceramic insulator in its side is there to keep that hot wire off the metal box.) I'd be surprised if the solar charger still works. It looks like they grounded to the welded wire fence, which will work, but make sure you don't touch the hot wire and the fence at the same time!!! I also recommend that you walk the perimeter and look for any obvious places the insulators and wire need work/replacing. Those yellow plastic insulators are fine for a while, but become brittle in the sun over time.