Guide for 12V energisers

One component is particularly important for any electric fence: the right energiser. Various factors need to be considered in order to understand which energizer is right for your fencing situation. 12V units are often chosen as they have a few advantages over other energiser models.

What do 12-V-energisers offer?

12 Volt energisers and 230 Volt energisers differ from each other in that way that the first ones are powered via rechargeable batteries whilst the latter are connected to the mains supply. Pasture fence systems are rarely close to a house or barn, thus, mains supply is not an option. For this reason, battery-powered energisers are more commonly used instead of mains units. The rechargeable battery provides the electricity for the fence system. The energy is passed from the energizer to the conductive material and through the entire fence system. This could be electric fence tape, fence rope, fence wire or polywire. An earth stake ensures that the released energy is lead through the animal, into the ground and back to the energizer when an animal touches the fence. A fence connection cable is required to connect the 12-V-energizer with the fence. A ground connection/lead out cable connects the earth stake to the energizer.

The benefits of a 12V energizer at a glance

Battery-powered energisers offer one very important benefit. They can be used anywhere. Whether it is in the yard, behind your house or a field in a remote area. This type of energiser is also ideal for fences, built to keep out wild animals in forests and other wooded environments. Modern 12-V-energizers can be combined with solar modules. The solar cells of those modules collect the energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. And the stored energy is forwarded to the fence system at night or on cold, cloudy days. This saves energy and is kind to the environment as well as your wallet. So the advantages of battery energisers are:

• low energy consumption (the stored energy and discharge energy varies from model to model)
• longevity
• total independance as to where it is used. This is particularly handy if animals are often moved or the location of the fence changes from season to season.
• models of difference impact strengths are available

Some of the battery-powered electric fence units feature power save modes or are fitted with power-saving technology, which means that the power consumption can be adjusted or is automatically controlled.

So which 12V energizer will it be?

The choice of the fencing energizer depends on several factors. The fence length, for example, is crucial. The longer the electric fence, the more powerful the battery energizer needs to be in order to electrify the entire fence length with the desired voltage. Extra powerful battery-powered energizers are required for particularly aggressive animals, for animals that are very big or have a thick hair coat. A less powerful 12 Volt fencer can be used for small or sensitive animals and pets. 9 Volt energizers can be an alternative. They are also battery-powered energizers. But unlike 12 Volt batteries, 9 Volt batteries are not rechargeable. These generally less powerfull electric fencing energizers are meant for small fences and temporary paddocks.

Our online shop for electric fencing equipment offers easy-to-use beginner models as well as fencing sets for more professional purposes. AVi Duo-energisers can be operated, both, via 230V mains operation or via a 12 V battery combined with solar energy. Some energizers come in a set with a digital fence tester or an adapter.