August 5, 2008

Electric Fence - IntelliShock 284 110v AC Energizer

Here at GardenSnob, the goats and chickens are contained with electric net fence. We power it with the IntelliShock 284 110v AC Energizer that is plugged into an outlet in the barn. This is a wide impedance energizer that can handle a few branches, a rock or two, or some snow but still deliver a good wallop to anything/anyone that touches it. Every few weeks, we mow the fence line so it stays at or near 6,000 volts. This might sound dangerous but it's a pulsing electric current, not a steady one. If we have visitors, we usually turn the fence off while they are here, but we hop right over it all the time as long as we have rubber soled boots on. I even go over it with only flip flops on if need be. It's an easy, portable and dependable system. We've had this unit for a couple years and then last week . . . BOOM! Lightning struck in the backyard and blew out the transformer in the unit. Good thing we bought it from Premier 1 Supplies. Their fencing products are of the highest quality and their customer service is the best I've ever experienced with any company. We shipped it back to them and will await the word on repairing vs. replacing the unit. Meanwhile, the animal fence is tied into the solar battery energizer. More on that next . . .