An electric fence is convenient to keep intruders out of your estate while simultaneously preventing livestock from leaving. However, the cost of powering an electric fence may be too high, hence the need for a solar fence charger.
In this article, you’ll learn about different types of solar fence chargers on the market and how to choose the best one for your needs.
Contents
Buyer’s Guide: What to look for in a good solar fence charger
When buying a solar fence charger, there are some parameters you need to keep in mind. For instance, the area you need to cover with a fence, the type of animals you need to keep in or out, and weather conditions.
These will affect how powerful your charger needs to be to deliver good performance.
Larger animals (bulls, cows, and horses) and hairy animals (such as goats and sheep) will require more power to deter them from leaving.
Additionally, if you have humid or cold weather, you’ll need to ensure that the charger’s battery and the outside casing can handle it.
Different Types of Solar Fence Chargers
There are primarily three types that can be found on the market today:
- Continuous output fence chargers provide a continuous charge in the wires at all times. These chargers need a lot of electricity, so they are better for smaller areas. They’re also not very safe to use because the electric shock is too strong and may hurt children or small animals. They’re rarely used these days.
- Solid-state fence chargers deliver medium shocks sporadically, making them safer and more efficient. They’re better for smaller livestock and animals with little fur because the shock may be too weak for larger (or furry) animals.
Solid-state fence chargers may not work too well when there’s weed overgrowth, so you’ll have to ensure no vegetation is blocking your fence.
- Low impedance technology chargers are the newest type of solar fence chargers. They have very low internal resistance, which helps deliver short-lived powerful shocks. They’re useful for bigger livestock but safer than continuous output chargers because their currency is not continuous. Low impedance is the most common type on the market today.
Solar Fence Charger Reviews
In this section, you’ll find our top 5 recommendations for the best solar fence charger you can buy.
Silver Streak Solar Fence Charger 12 Volt
- Powerful 2 Joule Solar Fencer
- Activates 1 to 100 acres of fence
- No internal battery! Clip on a 12 volt battery and go. Works best with a deep cycle
This powerful 2-joule low impedance charger can power up to 100 acres of fence. The charge is not dangerous for smaller animals (such as chickens), yet it can still be used for larger animals, including horses and cows.
Overview:
- 2 joules
- Low impedance technology
- Powers up to 100 acres of fence
- 12 volt (battery not included)
- Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 10 inches
- Weight: 4.04 pounds
- Lightning diverter included
- 2-year warranty
This is one of the most reliable low impedance chargers available. It can power between 1 and 100 acres of fence, and it can be used for anything from chickens to horses, goats, and cows.
If you get this charger, you’d need to buy a separate 12-volt battery (preferably a deep-cycle battery). The charger can work without it, but it will stop working at night.
We actually like the fact that there’s no internal battery because a lot of fence chargers have a cheap lead-acid battery installed that is prone to failure, especially in colder weather.
It’s a little extra effort to get a separate battery and set it up, but it’s worth it in the long run. You’d appreciate this most if you have freezing temperatures.
These chargers also come with a lightning diverter. Since lightning is the number #1 cause of fence charger failure, it makes a lot of sense to have protection against it.
Silver Streak offers a 2-year warranty and excellent customer service that will solve any problem you may have.
Silver Streak Solar Fence Charger 12 Volt 2 Joule Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| 2 joules Low Impedance technology Powers up to 100 acres of fence An external battery that can be replaced as needed Free lightning diverter Good for small and large animals alike2-year warranty Helpful customer service Great price for its quality | Can’t handle very large or hairy animals (such as bulls) You have to buy a battery separately |
- Powerful 2 Joule Solar Fencer
- Activates 1 to 100 acres of fence
- No internal battery! Clip on a 12 volt battery and go. Works best with a deep cycle
Parmak Magnum Solar-Pak 12 Fence Charger (MAG12-SP)
- The sun`s energy charges the fencer by day and a sealed 12-volt rechargeable battery powers the fencer at night. Battery included.
- Low impedance for maximum power, longer life
- Charges up to 30 miles of fence – 3.1+ joules
The Parmak Magnum is a powerful 3.1 joules solar fence charger that can cover an impressive 30 miles! It comes with an internal 12-volt lithium-ion battery.
Overview:
- Low impedance technology
- 3.1+ joules, up to 30 miles
- 12-volt lithium-ion battery included
- Item dimensions: 21 x 17 x 11 inches
- Weight: 24 pounds
- Weatherproof
- 2-year warranty for lightning damage
- 1-year warranty for battery
At 3.1 joules, this is one of the most powerful solar chargers around! If you need to keep predators off your property, or if you have larger animals, then it’s a great choice for you.
These units are very sturdy and are built to handle most weather conditions. The battery can sometimes fail, but it’s replaceable.
Parmak offers a 2-year warranty and a 1-year warranty on the battery in case of lightning damage.
One thing we don’t like about this product is the poor customer support. If you’re new to using solar fence chargers and don’t know how to set it up, or if you face any problems not covered by the warranty, they aren’t going to help much.
Because of this, we recommend this unit only to experienced users who would know how to troubleshoot it themselves.
Parmak Magnum Solar-Pak 12 volt 3.1-joule Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Low impedance technology Useful for larger animals, including predators3.1+ joules30 miles range Heavy-duty constructionWeatherproof | Limited warranty A bit expensive |
- The sun`s energy charges the fencer by day and a sealed 12-volt rechargeable battery powers the fencer at night. Battery included.
- Low impedance for maximum power, longer life
- Charges up to 30 miles of fence – 3.1+ joules
Parmak DF-SP-LI Solar Park 25-Mile-Range Electric Fence Charger
- Will operate for 21 days in total darkness
- Weatherproof, outdoor model.
- Ideal for small to medium pastures
Another solar fence charger from Parmak. This one is a little weaker at 1.4 joules (with a price that matches). It works for small to medium-sized animals and a length of 25 miles.
Overview:
- 1.4 joules
- Low impedance technology
- 25 miles of fence
- 6-volt battery
- Item dimensions: 17 x 8 x 13 inches
- Weight: 11.33 pounds
- 2-year warranty
- Small to medium-sized animals
- weatherproof
This little solar fence charger has the robust construction of the Parmak Magnum at a much more affordable price. It’s great for anything between poultry, rabbits, and horses.
As previously mentioned, we aren’t thrilled with the customer support from Parmak. If the device or battery appears to be faulty, you can ship them back to get a replacement during the warranty period. They aren’t very dependable beyond that.
Parmak DF-SP-LI Solar Pak 6 Low Impedance 6-Volt Battery Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| 1.4 joules Powerful and affordable Robust construction Weatherproof 2-year warranty Great for small and medium-sized animals | Limited warranty |
- Will operate for 21 days in total darkness
- Weatherproof, outdoor model.
- Ideal for small to medium pastures
Zareba ESP2M-Z 2-Mile Solar Low Impedance Electric Fence Charger
- 2 Mile Rating – Energizes up to 2 miles of electric fencing in ideal conditions (no weeds) and up to 1 mile in light weeds
- Long-Lasting Charge – This solar-powered charger stores enough solar energy to operate for up to 2 weeks without sun
- Versatile Installation – This charger features a built-in mounting for T-posts, round and wood posts, Y-posts and flat surfaces
The Zareba 2-mile solar charger is an affordable alternative for smaller yards and gardens. You can also use it as an anti-rooster solution for chicken farms.
Overview:
- Low impedance technology
- 0.04 joules
- 2-mile long fence
- 4-volt battery included
- Item dimensions: 6.41 x 9.97 x 11.14 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
- 4-volt battery included
- Can work on small animals and pets
- Weatherproof
- One year warranty including lightning damage
This solar fence charger may not pack a lot of power, but it’s very affordable. If you have small animals, such as rabbits, chickens, geese, or dogs, then you won’t need anything stronger than this.
To deter small animals from passing, you’ll need at least 3-4 strands of wire with a small space between them.
You can use this product with steel, aluminum, poly wire, poly rope, and poly tape. However, we recommend steel wire for the best performance.
Zareba has decent customer support. They offer amble documentation and a limited 1-year warranty, including lightning damage.
Zareba ESP2M-Z 2-Mile Solar Low Impedance Electric Fence Charger Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable Weatherproof Useful for small animals and pets Lightweight and portable Low impedance technology Good customer support and documentation | Weak, can only handle small animals in a limited space Limited warranty |
- 2 Mile Rating – Energizes up to 2 miles of electric fencing in ideal conditions (no weeds) and up to 1 mile in light weeds
- Long-Lasting Charge – This solar-powered charger stores enough solar energy to operate for up to 2 weeks without sun
- Versatile Installation – This charger features a built-in mounting for T-posts, round and wood posts, Y-posts and flat surfaces
Gallagher S100 Solar Electric Fence Charger
- TAKE IT ANYWHERE – The S100 Electric Fence Charger is perfect for remote locations with unreliable or no access to mains power. Powers up to a 30-mile single wire fence or 8 miles of multi-line perimeter and covering approximately 60-100 acres of land.
- PORTABLE AND SUPER TOUGH SOLAR FENCE ENERGIZER: The Gallagher S100 is a portable, super tough unit that’s quick and easy to install and comes with a built-in solar panel and 12V battery. Perfect for rotational grazing, controlling livestock and excluding wildlife.
- PEACE OF MIND OF A RELIABLE SOLAR ENERGIZER, WHATEVER THE WEATHER - Gallaghers unique battery saving technology can maintain power to your fence for up to 3 weeks without sun. With Multiple Power Modes you can set it to pulse fast day and night or set it to reduce the pulse rate at night when livestock are less active.
There are several products on the Gallaher S-line, but we think Gallaher S100 offers the best balance between price and quality. It’s a 1-joule low impedance solar fence charger suitable for animals of all sizes, depending on how it’s set up.
Overview:
- 1 joule
- Low impedance technology
- 12-volt internal battery
- Unit dimensions: 9 x 14 x 12 inches
- Weight: 11.75 pounds
- Ranges between 8-30 miles
- Works for most animals
- Water-resistant case with handle
- Lightning protection
- 3-year warranty
This solar fence charger has solid built and can withstand different weather conditions. For a single strand, it can power up 30 miles of fence. However, multiple strands will shrink the length to about 8 miles.
The unit can be mounted in any direction for an easier setup. It also has a unique “dual power” system to help you adjust power as needed.
Gallaher is a well-known brand name with good customer support. They also offer a 3-year full warranty.
Gallagher S100 Solar Electric Fence Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Low impedance technology 2 Adjustable power levels Lightning protection Battery included Water-resistant case3 year warranty Good customer support | A bit overpriced1 joule is a bit low for products in the same range |
- TAKE IT ANYWHERE – The S100 Electric Fence Charger is perfect for remote locations with unreliable or no access to mains power. Powers up to a 30-mile single wire fence or 8 miles of multi-line perimeter and covering approximately 60-100 acres of land.
- PORTABLE AND SUPER TOUGH SOLAR FENCE ENERGIZER: The Gallagher S100 is a portable, super tough unit that’s quick and easy to install and comes with a built-in solar panel and 12V battery. Perfect for rotational grazing, controlling livestock and excluding wildlife.
- PEACE OF MIND OF A RELIABLE SOLAR ENERGIZER, WHATEVER THE WEATHER - Gallaghers unique battery saving technology can maintain power to your fence for up to 3 weeks without sun. With Multiple Power Modes you can set it to pulse fast day and night or set it to reduce the pulse rate at night when livestock are less active.
Solar Fence Chargers FAQs
How do I set up a fence charger properly?
Solar chargers can be a bit tricky to set up. However, doing it properly can solve many problems down the line. Make sure to read the manual for your individual device.
Solar chargers need grounding rods to work. Ensure the grounding rod(s) are in contact with moist soil. If you live in a very dry area, you may need to use several long rods to reach the deeper parts of the soil with enough moisture.
For best performance, we recommend using at least three grounding rods tied to each other, no less than three feet apart.
The solar cells must be facing direct sunlight. If you have anything blocking the sun, you may need to move the charger to a more appropriate spot. For maximum efficiency, you may need to wipe the solar cells every once in a while.
It’s recommended that you place the charger in the middle of your fence to have an even distribution of power. If you’re not worried about predators, place the charger outside the fence to prevent animals from bumping into it.
Final Verdict
We recommend the Silver Streak fence charger to most people. You indeed have to buy a battery separately, but it’s the most powerful charger in its price range, and the customer service is the best. Also, a separate battery is actually better for troubleshooting.
If you don’t want to deal with a separate battery, the Gallahar S100 is a pretty safe choice. However, it is a bit more expensive.
If you need a more powerful fence charger to keep out predators, you may want to look at the Parmak Magnum.
If you only need a fence for smaller animals and a smaller plot of land, the Zareba ESP2M-Z may be all you need.
