Speedrite S1000 12v solar energizer

Details

The S1000 is a self-contained solar unit: panel, energizer and a 12 volt 7 amp hour battery in one housing that mounts on a post. Speedrite rates it at 1 joule of output, covering up to 140 acres or 40 miles of fence, with a three year warranty. Its place is remote pasture, community pasture, and anywhere running mains power is not practical. Set it on a post in the middle of the block, drive the ground rods, and it looks after itself through the grazing season. For rotational grazing across a large parcel with no yard site, this is the usual answer. Those acreage and mileage ratings assume a clean fence: well insulated, well grounded, no vegetation on the wire. Real-world coverage on a weedy fence in a wet year is a fraction of it. Two things decide whether you get near the rating, and they are grounding and how much the line is leaking. Put in more ground rod than you think you need, and check fence voltage at the far end rather than at the terminals. Angle the panel south and steep enough that snow slides off, and expect reduced performance through the shortest days.