Solar Panels?

This shouldnt be a problem, but there are one or two things to watch out for,

Firstly, you cant recharge dry batteries that are sometimes supplied for these fences, it needs to be a 'wet' battery, ie a car type battery or a SLAB (Sealed Lead Acid battery). Of course NiCd and NiMH batteries can be recharged but these require more complex charging.

You need a solar panel of sufficient current to charge at a reasonable rate, and of the correct voltage (most likely 12v). In bright sun the panels voltage will be higher, but so long as its not a big panel you shouldnt need a regulator.

A quick example - a 12v 7Ahr SLAB can charge nicely of a 12v 100mA panel, and more slowly on smaller panels. Ideally, you want a panel that has an average output about equal to the average current drain of the fence circuits, that way the battery just acts as a buffer, or a temporary store when its dark or poor light

Remember as well, the panel will produce less output in winter!

Worth looking at sunshinesolar for a possible suitable panel??

http://www.sunshinesolar.co.uk/

I'm glad you explained it was for fencing!  :happy: From the thread banner I was imagining heated nestboxes with ready boiled eggs!

Have you thought of making a wind turbine, quite easy get an alternater from a car fix some blades to the pully end mount on a small frame, the alternator has all the goodies attached to it to charge a car battery day and night  :blink: only downsid is calm days