Yes and No. Most high-quality electric fence chargers come in weatherproof insulating boxes which can effectively survive rainfall, snow, and excessive moisture. Some old models don’t come with any such insulators, so they aren’t waterproof. In any case, you should always mount the fence charger in a shady area protected from rain and snow.
Even the waterproof fence chargers fail to survive heavy rain and snowfall. Moisture and dirt eventually get trapped in the closed insulator causing it to fail or short out.
So, are electric fence chargers waterproof? How to protect your fence charger from moisture? Let’s find out!
Can rain trigger an electric fence alarm?
Yes, rain can trigger an electric fence alarm if the fence charger or energizer is affected by moisture. Besides, the rain can make the vegetation near the fence clump together and touch the fence which also triggers the alarm. Here are the details-
Moisture in the insulator
Most manufacturers provide an insulating box to protect the fence charger from weather damage. However, dirt, dust, sunlight, and other environmental factors often cause it to wear. As a result, the insulator might crack in places.
When it rains, the water enters through the cracked insulator and lowers the resistance of the charger. Hence, the charger voltage drops below a standard level and the alarm starts ringing.
Vegetation or other objects
Heavy rain and wind can bring vegetation or other objects near the electric fence. When the vegetation or object makes contact with a live and earth wire for more than three seconds, the alarm will turn on.
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Is it ok to leave electric fence on in rain?
Yes, it is OK to leave your electric fence on while it’s raining. Electric fences are designed to remain functional in any type of weather including rain. As long as your fence charger and insulator are intact, there’s nothing to worry about.
However, in some rare cases, you might face the following issues:
- Heavy rainfall and strong wind are the perfect recipes for shorting out your electric fence as they bring weeds, grass, leaves, or tree branches on the live fence. However, it’s easy to detect them and once you remove them, the system should work fine.
- Sometimes water gets into a cracked insulator and causes the system to fail. It’s important to fix the charger and insulator and inspect all the leads to avoid further complications.
- Electric fences can lose some voltage while it rains which can turn on the alarm. This problem is more common where the insulator is bad. (Read more about why is electric fence so weak.)
Where should I mount my electric fence charger?
According to experts, electric fences should be installed in a building or high location so that rodents can’t damage the wires. You should mount your AC/DC electric fence charger in a dry, clean, and sheltered area where it’s protected from dust, dirt, direct sunlight, and moisture.
As for solar electric fence chargers, place them off the ground in a clean location with sufficient sunlight. Below are the details –
Mounting location for ac/dc electric fence charger
- Although many AC/DC chargers come with weatherproof insulators, it’s still best to choose a sheltered area like your garage or outhouse. Otherwise, direct sun, wind, moisture, and rain will slowly affect the insulator’s outer casing.
- You must mount the charger off the ground (at least 6 inches high). Besides, it should be near the ground rod system and the charging outlet. To reduce the wire length, mount the charger close to the fence.
- If you have a weatherproof battery-powered charger and you want to mount it outdoors, the guard posts can be a good mounting location.
- The experts at researchgate.net say, “Never install a fence under and parallel to an overhead power line as the induced voltage generated on the electric fence conductor wire may be hazardous.”
Mounting location for solar electric fence charger
- Solar chargers should be mounted in a place where it receives maximum sunlight for charging. So, you must place it outdoors in an open area. A guard post is a good option. Or, place a post in the middle of the fenced area to mount the charger.
- Just like the AC chargers, solar chargers should also be off the ground, about 6-10 inches high. While mounting, the charger should be directed to the noon sun. This way, it will get the highest amount of power.
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How to make an electric fence charger waterproof?
Without a doubt, the best way of protecting your fence charger is to buy one that comes with an insulator. However, if you don’t have one of those chargers, you’ll need a separate insulator to make your charger waterproof. You can either buy one or make one yourself.
While purchasing charger insulators, get the porcelain tube-type ones as they are long-lasting. Or, you can make one by yourself. Here’s how to make a DIY waterproof insulator for your electric fence charger –
Things you’ll need
- Large plastic box with lid.
- Drill machine.
- 1/2-inch or 3/8-inch drill bit.
- Hole saw.
- Mounting bolts.
Step One: Purchase a plastic box
First, measure the dimensions of your electric fence charger. The box you’ll be using for insulation must be larger than the charger. Also, it must have a lid so that you can open and clean the area regularly. This type of box is cheap, available only at $5-$6 on Amazon. (Read details about is electric fences legal?)
Step Two: Drill holes for wires
Now, you need to drill two holes for the positive wire and ground wire of the fence charger. Attach a 1/2-inch or 3/8-inch drill to your drill machine. Choose one side of the box for drilling. Drive the drill to make two small holes at a one-inch distance. Now, use a hole saw to make a slightly large hole for the extension cord.
Step Three: Mount the plastic box
If you’ve already mounted the charger, first you need to take it off. Disconnect the charger first and remove all the wires attached to it. Now, place the plastic box on the mounting location. The drilled holes should be downwards facing the ground. Drill some bolts in the box to lock it in place.
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Step Four: Place the charger inside the box
Now, set the fence charger in the middle area of the box. Use the mounting bolts to lock the charger in place. After that, insert the positive and negative wires through the small drilled holes and reconnect them to the charger.
Bring in the extension cord through the large hole and plug it into the charger. When you’re done, lock the box with its lid. This way, water won’t penetrate the plastic box and your charger will be protected from harsh weather conditions.
Wrapping up!
So, are electric fence chargers waterproof? Now you know the answer. Weatherproof fence chargers come with insulators that remain waterproof for a year or two. However, after some time, the insulator starts to wear and the water might get into the internal electric system.
So, mount the charger in a sheltered area far from the sun and moisture. Ensure regular maintenance and the insulator will resist water for a long time.
