OT Best battery type for a batt powered elec fence

Randy G

Member
This is off topic BUT..What is the best battery type for a 12 volt battery powered Patriot brand electric fence charger?
Currently has an Interstate deep cycle battery attached about 10 years old. Figured its about time to replace as it needs charged monthly. I'm running 1 wire about 900 feet long. Thanks for any advice.
 
In cases where a battery is used for long term relatively low current (unlike high current short time auto starting) slow deep discharging before re-charging, my choice would be a true deep cycle battery. If youre using some sort of a solar powered or other charger Id be less concerned that a more expensive deep cycle is absolutely necessary. If price is an issue those cheaper so called RV/Marine semi deep cycle batteries would suffice and not cost as much as a true deep cycle. Many true deep cycle batteries (but not all) are 6 volt golf cart type and if its a 12 volt unit that would get quite expensive (two in series) and may be considered over kill. Conventional flooded lead acid would be the likely choice versus more expensive AGM, although sure AGM;s are in certain applications great.

Of course a cheap auto starting battery will work and much of what Id choose depends on the use and load and when and how its charged and how often and how low its discharged prior to re charging. I don't like to discharge a battery more then 50% of its rating and actually don't let them get down much over 30%.

Without knowing the actual use and load and times and when and how its charged, my best "pure guess" would be to use a so called 12 volt RV/Marine battery like sold at Walmart especially if cost is an issue..........

John T
 
Thanks B&D.

I installed a new fence to keep the cows out of the tenants newly acquired bean field. Just wanted the extra "snap" to keep them on the correct side. I have Gallagher solar chargers but they do not have the same intense "snap"
 
Yup, put a solar panel on it. They're great. No controller needed, doesn't even have to be a big panel. Been using them for several years to keep batteries trickle charged in my shed.
 
Interstate does not make batteries. They put their name on batteries made by Johnson Controls. Same as Walmart. So if you want a new deep-cycle battery, you can get the same at Walmart.

I have to leave my place where my fence is for sometimes over a week without checking on it. Electric fence runs on near nothing UNTIL some animal shorts part of it out, or a tree limb falls on it, etc. Then it uses much more power. It also make having solar handy if you are not there everyday to check it.

I have a 15 watt solar-panel, type 27 deep-cycle battery, and a controller. I was gone for three weeks last spring and when I came back the fence was shorted in two places. Still was working fine and battery charged.

Note - I would now use a controller on any solar panel. You can buy a new controller for $9. It used to be you could hook a solar-panel 15 watts or smaller to a full-size battery and not need a controller. Often not the case anymore. Solar-panels used to have built-in blocking-diodes to prevent the system from working backwards and draining the battery at night. Now - many do not have those diodes and assume the use of a controller. No big deal for $8-$9.
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(quoted from post at 21:00:44 02/07/18) Thanks B&D.

I installed a new fence to keep the cows out of the tenants newly acquired bean field. Just wanted the extra "snap" to keep them on the correct side. I have Gallagher solar chargers but they do not have the same intense "snap"

My solar charger keeps cows on the correct side of the fence for a lot more than 900 ft. Get a big solar charger and be done with it. If yours isnt shocking the ever loving ?!$! Out of something then check your grounds, or add more ground rods. My system has three. I use high tensile wire and with three rods you dont want to touch it.
 
If buying a new battery, a deep cycle is designed for what you are doing. What we do is use a used battery that will not start a tractor anymore. Put a new battery in the tractor and use the old one on the fence. Some will run a fence for years with monthly charging. We usually have more than one battery around so easy to keep one charged and ready to swap out when needed.
 
Re: your comment about the JC batteries (and most other battery manufacturers in general), in my experience the quality of the battery can vary quite a bit between brands (even from the same vendor). I have seen quite a difference between an Interstate SRM-24 / 27 and the similar Looking batteries from Wal-Mart. The batteries are specd differently. The ones I was comparing had pretty significant differences INSIDE the case. Double fastened plates vs top only, higher plate count/density, overall weight, etc...

Personally I go to the Interstate warehouse and ask for the "blems" $35 each with no core. (Any size they have them available in) I find that in most of my vehicles & equipment they last 5-10 years average. Just an idea to help someone save some $$.

Carl

(quoted from post at 22:27:56 02/07/18) Interstate does not make batteries. They put their name on batteries made by Johnson Controls. Same as Walmart.
 

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