About Our Solar-powered Electric Fence Chargers
Solar-powered chargers aren’t cheap, but they do get around the need to deal with batteries. One is sometimes tempted to regard these chargers as creators of maintenance-free fencing in hard to reach areas. That temptation should be resisted, because electric horse fences can become dysfunctional in many ways if left to themselves, and all that the solar-powered chargers really do is avoid the need to continually monitor, recharge, and replace batteries. The solar chargers we offer vary greatly in strength, all the way from Fi-shock’s pet-safe SS-440 to Parmak’s 3-joule Solar Pak 12 (comparable to the battery-powered Magnum 12 U.O.). All are low-impedance chargers with a legitimate role in powering electric horse fence, although in the case of the Fi-Shock SS-440 that role is rather specialized.
Fi-Shock SS-440 – Low Impedance Electric Fence Charger, UL Listed
Theoretically the Fi-Shock SS-440 puts out up to 0.25 joules, but when it is set up in the field this output typically drops to about one-twentieth of a joule (0.05 joules). This means that the shock administered by the SS-440 is typically more of a small zap than a jolt, and so it really has only one legitimate horse fence role–that of protecting existing wooden and other barrier horse fences by discouraging horses from leaning on them. However, because it minimizes the potential for startling horses in areas with limited space to run, it can perform this task better than more powerful chargers, and it therefore has a place in the horse fence world. The weatherproof and portable SS-440 features an impact-resistant solar panel and can put out up to 8.5 kilovolts under ideal conditions. Besides its solar panel, the charger comes with a 4-volt gel-type battery, instructions, and a manufacturer’s limited two-year warranty. As indicated below, replacement batteries and a 4-volt battery recharger can be purchased separately.