9V fence chargers/batteries are ideal for portable/temporary fencing for horses, pets, poultry, and garden. They are easy to install, manage and remove. 9V batteries are lightweight(portable) and easy to install but only useful with 9V fence chargers.
9V fences cover short areas(a few km maxes) and output low joules, hence not ideal for large-area fencing.
The key step while making a 9v fence is choosing the right battery that fits with the fence charger.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to Install a 9V battery electric fence:
How to make an electric fence with a 9-volt battery?
To make an electric fence with a 9V battery:
- Ensure your battery’s output voltage and capacity(Ah) is higher than the fence charger’s input.
- Measure the area to cover, and install fence posts at an even distance (10 ft). Install wires on fence posts.
- Attach the energizer’s input terminals with the battery(+ve to +ve and -ve to -ve).
- Connect the energizer’s live output terminal to the fence wires and the ground terminal to the ground rods.
Choose the right battery:
Alkaline batteries are low cost. But if constantly used, they last very quickly(3-6 months) and are not rechargeable.
Lithium-Ion batteries are the best deep-cycle rechargeable batteries and last longer than alkaline. If kept well, a lithium battery can output 80% of the rated capacity even after 2000 cycles. A 9V li-ion battery works 7 to 7.5 hours on one charging.
Lead acid batteries are cheap and most helpful as they are frequently rechargeable but need water-level maintenance.
Opt for a deep-cycle lithium battery, as it’s ideal for frequent recharging. Most 9V batteries give around 1000-2000 charge/discharge cycles easily.
An alkaline/dry battery is a little costly but delivers max charge throughout its life of 2-5 months(150+ days). The alkaline battery has the longest shelf time(holds a charge while useless).
Also, you’ll need spare batteries to keep your fence alive while charging. 9V alkaline battery is a perfect solution to prevent the hustle of recharging batteries, but unfortunately, they’re not rechargeable.
Compare battery and fence charger:
Ah, or ampere-hour is the current a battery delivers in an hour. The higher the Ah value of a battery, the longer it will power a fence till draining(empty). As the Ah value rises, battery size and weight also increase.
Batteries with Ah(capacity) more than the fence chargers requirement will last longer as they have more power than required.
Suppose your fence charger inputs 60Ah and your battery output 45Ah. Due to the greater load(required), the battery will drain quicker than normal to maintain power in the fence. Charge cycles will quicky reduce and hence the overall life.
For example, a 4000 mA battery will get empty in 4 hours if 1000 mA is drawn per hour. The same battery will take 1 hour to drain if a device drains 4000 mA in one hour.
If a 50 Ah battery last 3 months on a device. 150Ah battery will last 9 months on the same device.
Also, compare the voltage of the battery and charger to check if both are compatible with the battery. You can’t choose a battery whose output is less than the fence energizer input(required power).
For example, you can’t connect a 12V energizer to a 9V battery because the battery cannot maintain the desired charge. It tends to exert more pressure on batteries as they are frequently charged and discharger due to heavy load; hence battery expires too early, completing its cycles.
Steps to make an electric fence with a 9 V battery:
To make an electric fence with 9 volts battery, you’ll need an equivalent(9V) or low-power fence charger.
You can use a 6 or 9V fence charger with a 9V battery.
Things required:
- Fence wires
- Fence posts + insulators
- Ground rods
- 9V battery
- 6-9V energizer
Step 1: Measure the area to be covered:
Measure the length of the area you want to cover. Estimate the number of wire strands you want to install in the fence. Multiply the area length by the number of strands to calculate the length of fence wire required.
Most 9v battery fences cover a short area, i.e., 5 km.
Step 2: Install fence posts:
A 9V fence is used temporarily, so you don’t need heavy fence posts. Plastic fence posts are cheap, and easy to install and remove. Install them at a minimum of 10 feet distance.
Pass the fence strands through the post holes. In the case of metal posts, use fence post insulators.
Step 3: Install Grounding:
Install at least 3 feet of galvanized rods per output joule of the charger. Check your fence charger’s output joules. Most 9V fence chargers output almost 1 joule, so one or two ground rods would be sufficient. Insert them into the ground near your fence charger and fence wires.
Step 4: Fence Circuit Wiring:
Place the fence charger near the fence wires, battery, and ground rods. Installing a fence charger and battery in a dry, cool area is recommended.
Locate the fence charger’s input terminals, and attach the + terminal to the battery’s positive and the – terminal to the battery’s negative.
Now identify the fence energizer’s output terminals, connect the live terminal to the fence wires, and the ground terminals to the ground stakes.
Use the available cables on the charger, or use jumper cables with alligator clips/battery terminals.
Make sure no fence wire touches each other or anything that could drain current, i.e., grass, fence posts or wires. At last, use a voltage tester to measure the voltage in the fence.
Step 5: To remove fence:
To remove the fence, disconnect the fence charger’s input terminals from the battery; positive from battery + and negative from battery’s -ve. Also, disconnect the charger’s live terminal from the fence wires and the ground terminal from the ground rod.
How long does a 9v battery last on an electric fence?
How long a battery will last depends on various internal and external factors such as vegetation and animal load, temperature, the quality of conductors used in fences (wires and ground rods), covered area(number of strands and wires length), and how long a battery is continuously used.
On the other hand, a 9V lead acid battery offers 200+ cycles, while a 9V lithium battery offers 500-1000+ charge cycles. , Deep cycle battery has a maximum lifespan of 2000-4000+ cycles.
However, if you are looking for a rechargeable battery, a lithium or lead-acid battery is a better option for 9v fencing. Lithium Ion batteries have the longest lifespan.
9-volt alkaline batteries are mostly used in fences as they relieve you from charging again and provide stable power for 3-6 months but are not rechargeable.
How to make 9V electric fence for slugs and snails?
You can also make an electric snail fence(repeller) using a 9v battery, with or without a fence charger.
Install two wires around your fence wall parallel, at least 1 inch apart, and must not touch each other.
Connect one wire to the positive battery terminal and the other to the negative terminal. Still, the circuit is incomplete as the wires are not touching.
When a snail/worm tries to get through the wires, it touches live and ground wires, receiving a shock.
Both wires are placed apart from touching each other and connected to the battery.
Current travels from live wire to ground wires through the worm’s body, completing the circuit and delivering an electric shock.
The amount of current is not fatal to snails and slugs but is enough to keep them from crossing.
Conclusion:
9V fencing is useful for securing indoor, garden, and short-area fencing. Choose the battery wisely, as it’s the most crucial part of making a 9V fence.
Lithium batteries are ideal if you want a rechargeable and deep-cycle battery. While the alkaline battery is best to prevent recharging as they offer 3-5 months of continuous service.
After that, install the fence post, pass wire strands, and connect the charger to the battery, fence, and grounding.
If you are still confused, ask us in the comments below.