O'Briens 13/70 User manual

Electric Fence
Energiser Manual
Model Number:
13/70

2
Contents
Page
1 IntroducƟon
1 InstallaƟon
5 OperaƟng InstrucƟons
7 SpecificaƟons
8 Safety RegulaƟons
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing an O’Briens energiser. O’Briens products are
engineered using the latest technology.
We trust that you will be well satisfied with your energiser. For safe and
reliable operation please follow the instructions given in this booklet carefully.
Installation
* Read the Safety Regulations at the back of this booklet.
* The energiser should be mounted vertically only. (Do not use lying down
either on the ground or on another object).
* WARNING -Do not connect battery operated energisers to mains
operated equipment.
Fence Layout
Good planning will ensure a reliable electric fence system. There are a few
things to keep in mind when designing your fence layout:
* The main feeder wires should not be run parallel within 100m of phone or
communication lines irrespective of above or below ground.
* The electric fence wires should not run parallel and/or in close proximity to
power lines.
* Avoid making complete loops around paddocks. Terminate the wire with
an end insulator close to another live wire or gateway instead. This will
make fault finding easier.
* Install a cut out switch wherever the live wire splits into 2 or more
directions. This will also make fault finding easier.
* Put underground cable in poly pipe when running the cable under the
ground for protection. Never run live and earth wires in the same pipe.
* No two separately powered electric fences can be closer than 2.5m apart.
Ask your neighbour if you can power his side of the fence if they are close
together. It won’t cost you any more in electricity.
* All joins should be done with joint clamps for reliability.

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Post Spacing
Post spacings can be further apart for electric fences. Up to 15m spacing
between posts may be done on level ground. Distances will need to be
reduced depending on the terrain.
Steel and wood posts require insulators for the live wires.
Wire Size & Spacing
Generally 2.5mm or 3mm galvanised wire will work well in most situations.
1.6mm wire is OK for small areas, but can be difficult to see. Many poly wires
and poly tapes are only suitable for short distances, so check the label on
these products.
Wire spacings vary depending on the animal to be contained and other
conditions. Live and earth wire spacings closer than 200mm apart will affect
the distance that the energiser is effective due to capacitance between the
wires. Wires should be strained to around 90kg (200lb). Multiple live wires and
earth wires should be linked together at the start and ends of the fence and at
gateways. Following are recommended spacings for different animals.
150mm
150mm
150mm
150mm
150mm
200mm
200mm
200mm
200mm
250mm
200mm
250mm
280mm
280mm
280mm
125mm
125mm
3 wire pig fence 3 wire cattle fence Sheep fence Boundary or feral
fence
Live
Earth
Live
Live
Earth
Live
Live
Earth
Live
Earth Live
Earth
Live
Earth
Earth
Live
Live

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Lightning Diverter
It is highly recommended that a good quality lightning diverter be installed, to
minimise energiser damage during lightning strikes.
Earthing is extremely important with the lightning diverter. The energy from the
lightning strike will follow the path of least resistance into the ground, so the
lightning diverter earth should be much better than the fence earth. This will
direct the lightning’s energy into this earth, rather than through the energiser
and into the fence earth. The lightning diverter earth should be separated from
the fence earth.
Up to 6 galvanized earth stakes should be placed a few metres apart, driven
1.5m into the ground, all electrically connected together, and then connected to
the lightning diverter earth terminal. The lightning diverter should be connected
between the energiser fence terminal lead out wire and the fence.
Gateways
Conduct the fence system under gateways, rather than overhead. Use double
insulated underground electric fence cable for both live and earth wires and
run inside poly pipe for protection. The cables should be buried 300mm
underneath the ground. Do not put both live and earth wires in the same pipe.
Turn the ends of the pipe down to keep water out.
Note: It is highly recommended that a cut out switch be used in the live wire
supply side entering the pipe so that it is easier to locate a fault should a short
occur under the ground.
Earthing
Good earthing of the electric fence system is critical to the performance of the
fence. A poor earth system won’t allow a shock to be properly delivered to the
animal, and may not deter the animal from going through the fence.
Things to keep in mind are:
Strip or Cell Grazing
Electric fences are ideal for selectively grazing pastures, in that they can be
moved in minutes. Strip grazing typically only uses 1 or 2 live wires and no
earth wire. The O’Brien’s 13/70 Solar Energiser is an ideal energiser to use
for strip grazing. The ground must be reasonably moist for the fence to work
effectively if there is no earth wire.
Earth stake 900mm into the ground

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* Earth stakes must be driven at least 900mm for strip grazing, and 1.5m
into the ground for a permanent fence.
* Only use galvanised or stainless steel earth stakes.
* Electric fence earth stakes must be a minimum of 10m from any existing
electrical or communication earthing.
* Position earth stakes in a permanently moist area if possible.
* Earth return wires in the fence are required for good earthing. Ground
return earthing is only suitable for strip grazing with moist soil.
* If the live wire is to be offset from an existing fence, earth all the wires
in that fence, especially any barbed wire. Don’t rely on the fence wires
touching when they terminate at a strainer post or as they pass through a
steel post.
Offset Fence
Existing non-electric fences can be protected to last for may more years simply
by attaching offset insulators and an electrified wire on one or both sides of the
non-electric fence. Use a single offset wire, positioned at two thirds the height
of the animal (chest height) to be controlled. All wires in the existing fence must
be earthed.
Energiser Mounting
* Mount the energiser on top of a steel ‘Y’ post. There is a special groove on
the rear of the energiser that the ‘Y’ post will fit into.
* The solar panel must face the equator (northwards in the southern
hemisphere) and must receive full sun all day. Do not allow shade to cover
the panel for any period during the day.
Note: The effectiveness of solar power will be reduced if the solar panel is
in shade during any time of the day. Cloudy weather will reduce the charge
received from the sun.
* Slide the energiser on top of the post.
Connect to Earth System
The energiser comes with a green
earth lead and a red fence lead.
* Make sure the energiser is
switched off before connecting
wires to the fence terminals.
* Connect the green earth lead
to the energiser and clip the
lead to an earth stake or an
earthed part of the fence.
* Connect the red fence lead
to the energiser, and clip it to
the live wire. The unit is now
ready to operate.

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Operating Instructions
Important! Read the warnings, regulaƟons and installaƟon instrucƟons
throughout this booklet before installing and operaƟng this energiser.
O’Briens 13/70 Solar Energiser is a versatile tool for controlling stock around
your property. It can be installed in minutes in any location, and use the power
from the sun for continuous operation.
The 13/70 Solar Energiser has an internal sealed lead acid battery for power
storage. The internal battery has a 12 month pro-rata warranty. The battery
has a 4 - 5 year lifetime if it is properly cared for. Do not store the energiser for
extended periods out of the sunlight unless the supplied charger is connected
and plugged into the mains. The battery will fail within a month or so if it’s
stored in a discharged state.
Refer to the Installation section earlier in this booklet for fence construction
and earthing.
NOTE: Hot tape and polywire can be used effectively for lengths up to 400m
from the energiser. Use galvanised fencing wire for longer distances.
This energiser is supplied with leads for connecting the energiser to the fence.
Refer to the Energiser Mounting section on previous page.
Operation
Carefully read the Safety Regulations at the back of this booklet.
1 After installation, connect the unit to the power supply.
2 The 13/70 Solar has a 3 position switch to select OFF, High Power or Low
Power level. Move the switch lever in the upwards direction to select high
power level. This is the normal operating mode. The energiser will start
pulsing, and the LED will flash green once at every pulse.
3 Move the switch lever in the downwards position to select low power. The
energiser will also start pulsing, but at a lower output voltage level. The
LED will also flash green once per pulse.
Note: The low power level is intended to be used during extended periods of
cloudy weather, where there is little sunshine to keep the internal battery
charged. The energiser should operate in high power for approximately 10
days before the battery gets low, even with little or no sun.
4 Move the switch lever to the centre position to turn the energiser off.
The battery will continue to be charged from the solar panel when the
energiser
is switched off.
Notes:
* The LED will start flashing both red and green once per pulse if the battery
voltage falls below approximately 12.0V, and the output power will be
reduced.
* The LED will pulse red rapidly if the battery voltage falls below approx-
imately 11.4V, and the energiser will stop pulsing. This is to protect the
battery.

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* The energiser detects the amount of sunlight that is received, and will slow
the pulse rate down during the night to help conserve the battery.
Faults This energiser also has self testing built in. Should a fault occur, multiple
flashes of green from the pulse LED will be seen at pulse rate intervals.
Return the unit for repair if this ever occurs.
Charging the Energiser
The 13/70 Solar has a charge socket built into the front of the unit. There is
a small black cover over this socket to prevent moisture and insects from
damaging the socket. Remove this cover to enable the charger to be plugged
in. A charger is provided with the unit.
If the low battery indication starts to show, or the unit is to be left in a shed for
extended periods, plug the charger into the energiser, and then plug it into the
mains. A green LED will be lit on the charger to indicate that there is power
available. The battery in the energiser will be charged, and the charge current
will automatically be turned off once the battery becomes fully charged. The
switch on the energiser may be in any position for charging to occur. The
LED indicator on the energiser will be lit green continuously whenever there is
power from the charger if the switch is in either the high or low positions.
Note - The energiser will NOT operate while the battery is being charged via
the charger socket. This energiser must not be used as a substitute mains
energiser.
Product Specifications
Operating Voltage 12.7V nominal from internal battery
Operating Current High 16 mA
Low 11 mA
Solar Panel Rated Power 2W
Charger Output Voltage 18Vdc
Charger Rated Current 500mA
Energiser Charge Current 200mA nominal
Output Voltage High 8.0kV
Low 6.0kV
Stored Energy High 0.13 joules
Low 0.07 joules
Temperature -10 to 50 degrees Celsius
Humidity Maximum 90% non-condensing

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Safety Regulations
Warning: Read all instructions
* Warning: Do not connect to mains-operated equipment.
* This appliance is not intended for use by young children or infirm persons
unless they are adequately supervised by a responsible person to ensure that
they can use the appliance safely. Young children should be supervised to
ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
* Electric animal fences and their ancillary equipment shall be installed,
operated and maintained in a manner that minimizes danger to persons,
animals or their surroundings.
* Electric animal fence constructions that are likely to lead to the entanglement
of animals or persons shall be avoided.
* An electric animal fence shall not be supplied from two separate energisers or
from independent fence circuits of the same energiser.
* For any two separate electric animal fences, each supplied from a separate
energiser independently timed, the distance between the wires of the two
electric animal fences shall be at least 2m. If this gap is closed, this shall be
effected by means of electrically non-conductive material or an isolated metal
barrier.
* Barbed wire or razor wire shall not be electrified by an energiser.
* A non-electric fence incorporating barbed wire or razor wire may be used
to support one or more off-set electrified wires of an electric animal fence.
The supporting devices for the electrified wires shall be constructed so as to
ensure that these wires are positioned at a minimum distance of 150mm from
the vertical plane of the non-electrified wires. The barbed wire and razor wire
shall be earthed/ grounded at regular intervals.
* Follow the recommendations in this instruction sheet regarding earthing/
grounding.
* A distance of at least 10m shall be maintained between the energiser earth/
ground electrode and any other earthing/ grounding system connected parts
such as the power supply system protective earth or the telecommunication
system earth.
* Connecting leads that are run inside buildings shall be effectively insulted from
the earthed/ grounded structural parts of the building. This may be achieved
using insulated high voltage cable.
* Connecting leads that are run underground shall be run in a conduit of
insulating material or else insulated high voltage cable shall be used. Care
must be taken to avoid damage to the connecting leads due to the effects of
animal hooves or tractor wheels sinking into the ground.
* Connecting leads shall not be installed in the same conduit as the mains
supply wiring, communication cables or data cables.
* Connecting leads and electric animal fence wires shall not cross above
overhead power or communication lines.

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* Crossings with overhead power lines should be avoided wherever possible. If
such a crossing cannot be avoided it must be made underneath the power line
and as nearly as possible at right angles to it.
* If connecting leads and electric animal fence wires are installed near an
overhead power line, the clearances shall not be less than those shown in
Table 3.
Minimum Clearances From Power Lines for Electric Animal Fences
Power Line Voltage (V) Clearance (m)
Less than 1,000 3
Between 1,000 and 33,000 4
More than 33,000 8
* If connecting leads and electric animal fence wires are installed near an
overhead power line, their height above ground shall not exceed 3m.
* This height applies to either side of the orthogonal projection of the outermost
conductors of the power line on the ground surface, for a distance of:
* 2m for power lines operating at a nominal voltage not exceeding
1000V (1 kV);
* 15m for power lines operating at a nominal voltage exceeding
1000V.
Orthogonal Projection Fence
Power Line
* In electric animal fences intended for deterring birds from roosting on
buildings, no electric fence wire shall be connected to the energiser earth
electrode. Awarning sign shall be fitted to every point where persons may gain
ready access to the Conductors.
* Where an electric animal fence crosses a public pathway, a non-electri-
fied gate shall be incorporated in the electric animal fence at that point or
a crossing by means of stiles shall be provided. At any such crossing, the
adjacent electrified wires shall carry warning signs.
* Any part of an electric animal fence that is installed along a public road or
pathway shall be identified at frequent intervals by warning signs securely
fastened to the fence posts or firmly clamped to the fence wires.

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* The size of the warning sign shall be at least 100mm x 200mm.
* The background colour of both sides of the warning sign shall be yellow. The
inscription on the sign shall be black and shall be either:
* the substance of “CAUTION: Electric Animal Fence” or,
* the symbol shown below:
* The inscription shall be indelible, inscribed on both sides of the warning sign
and have a height of at least 25mm.
* Ensure all mains-operated, ancillary equipment connected to the electric
animal fence circuit provides a degree of isolation between the fence circuit
and the supply mains equivalent to that provided by the energiser.
* Protection from the weather shall be provided for the ancillary equipment
unless the equipment is certified by the manufacturer as being suitable for use
outdoors, and is of a type with a minimum degree of protection IPX4.
Sold by: O’Briens Phone: [phone]
Private Bag 3026 Fax: [phone]
Hamilton Email: [email protected]
New Zealand Web: www.obrienplastics.com
OB10771 - February 2015