Ray,
I have the M600 Gallagher controller here on 6 acres. I hear nothing from this
controller and it claims to have RFI suppression. For about $250 it would be a
good investment to have a quiet 160 and 80 meters if it were me. Great that
the owner is working with you, that's the most hardest part many times.
http://www.gallagherusa.com/electric-fencing/permanent.components.aspx?mktcatid=52
73 Rich N7TR
-----Original Message-----
From: RFI [mailto:rfi-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Ray Benny
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 8:58 PM
To: rfi@contesting.com
Subject: [RFI] Electric Fence Problems
For several years I've been living with an electric fence noise mostly on 160M
but affecting 80M too. After a great opening to EU 160M last night and
listening thru the fence noise (S5 - S7) I finally got the the nerve to talk to
the owner today (almost a mile away). He was OK with me approaching him and I
was able to run some tests/checks on the control unit. It is a 'Farm Test',
Model 20-50 made by Potter & CO., of Chicago. I did some Google searching but
could not find anything the unit or the company. I did call an electric fence
Company in PA., but they have not heard of it either. Does anyone know of this
unit?
I'd like to ask the RFI group for advice and guidance for fixing or replacing
the unit. Apparently, its 10 years old or older, its not a pulse type and puts
out a steady voltage. The noise on my portable SWL RX radio is S9 plus at the
unit. When it is unplugged, the noise goes to zero. I did try a string of AC
filters and toroids on the AC side of the unit, but it did nothing. So I'm
certain that the unit is generating noise and radiating it thru the 100's of
feet of electric fence wire.
I was able to do a little looking around with the owner and found a number of
shabby joints, but when I shook them, there was no change in the noise level.
The ground wire to the control unit is a small 16 ga wire hand wrapped around
an old 1/2 inch galvanized pipe driven in the ground. I was able to wiggle the
ground connection, the noise did not vary. Now I'm wondering how important a
good ground is for an electric fence system? If need be, I will drive in an 8
ft copper ground rod and use a real ground clamp.
But, I am more convinced that the controller unit is defective and is
generating the noise. I'm thinking too, maybe the unit was a pulse type but has
failed and only putting out a lower continuous voltage.
Perhaps tomorrow I can drive in the 1/2 inch ground rod and see what it does.
The other thing is to disconnect the fence wire from the control unit and
listen for a change. Without a schematic, I would not know what to do with it.
If the owner will let me take it for a few hours, I could look to see if there
is anything obviously damaged or burnt up.
If it comes down to it, I am willing to buy the guy a new controller unit, if
it would clear up the noise. BTW, I do hear other pulse type electric fences
around, but they are no where as bad and can live with them.
Does anyone know of a good, noise free electric fence unit?
I'm open for suggesting and advice.
Tnx,
Ray,
N6VR
Chino Valley, AZ
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