Hello, first time posting despite having read the forums for years.
I'm working on a project where I'd like to control an electric fence with a Arduino Uno. My main question is mostly hardware related, is it even possible to use a mosfet, or some sort of switch to open or close the "circuit" of the electric fence? I'm looking at a solar powered electric fence that pushes about 8000V. I only need a certain section of the fence to be energized during certain events (only for about 20 seconds once a night), otherwise it can stay deactivated.
thegraygryphon:
Hello, first time posting despite having read the forums for years.
I'm working on a project where I'd like to control an electric fence with a Arduino Uno. My main question is mostly hardware related, is it even possible to use a mosfet, or some sort of switch to open or close the "circuit" of the electric fence? I'm looking at a solar powered electric fence that pushes about 8000V. I only need a certain section of the fence to be energized during certain events (only for about 20 seconds once a night), otherwise it can stay deactivated.
Does the fence controller not have a logic-level input that controls the inverter itself rather than trying to switch the HV output on/off?
Solar powered electric fence charges don't work well at night.
Perhaps there is a battery powering the charger and the solar charges the battery?
Which ever, you only need to control the primary current to the control circuitry, not the HV.
Paul
Paul_KD7HB:
Solar powered electric fence charges don't work well at night.
Perhaps there is a battery powering the charger and the solar charges the battery?
Which ever, you only need to control the primary current to the control circuitry, not the HV.
Paul
Ha, gave me a good chuckle there with your first comment.
I agree with only needing to control the control circuit, but I'm only planning on having access to the HV line, as the fence energizer/solar charger is a commercial product.
I only need a certain section of the fence to be energized
Difficult to control HV as already quoted.
Best go for a walk and manually change the HV line over to the correct section before it gets dark, then use input control for your 20 seconds.
The OP seems to be saying that he wants to control part of the fence and leave the other part energised. The obvious solution is to use a second unit with its primary switched.
Local use of electric fences is to keep out deer, and they are switched off during the day.
I only need a certain section of the fence to be energized during certain events (only for about 20 seconds once a night), otherwise it can stay deactivated.
So you have a long electric fence, you have a section of it you want to be able to be switched ON/OFF independently.
Is this right?
If so, unfortunately you cannot just switch the EHT power ON and OFF at the fence line.
You would be better with two fence units, one that is on all the time and another where you control the low voltage input supply to turn it ON and OFF.
Tom...
PS. Who do you want to catch urinating on your fence????
The required 12v coil voltage could be easy switch on and of with a Mosfet...
... This should solve the problem.
Mayby there is also a 5v Version...
...i don't know.
The required 12v coil voltage could be easy switch on and of with a Mosfet...
... This should solve the problem.
Mayby there is also a 5v Version...
...i don't know.
This device, although no price quoted, is a vaccum type relay.
They are expensive and not all that rugged, usually needing a shock proof mounting system.
You would be looking at around $100 AUD each.
Tom...
thegraygryphon:
No, the commercial product only has a on/off button, and terminals for ground and the fence.
This on/off button can very likely be bypassed with a regular relay. Of course it switches off the whole fence this unit controls, but having a second unit for that specific section of the fence is probably the cheaper solution.
