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Kiwi Post Driver
The Kiwi Post Driver was developed to serve high volume users, such as fencing contractors, municipalities, do-it-yourself ranchers and farmers, or anyone who wants the finest piece of
equipment capable of handling the most difficult jobs.

Kiwi Fence School
Every farmer knows the value of a good fence. High Tensile Fences are less expensive, more durable and more effective for containing and protecting livestock. Now you can learn to build one of the best fence systems available from the people who introduced High Tensile Fence to the United States.
 
 
 
 
 
Electric Fence
Your KIWI high tensile fence can be easily electrified using new high voltage, low impedance type energizers. The construction methods described for non-electric fences alsso apply to electric fences with one important exception. Energized wires must be insulated from the post; hardwood Droppers® are self-insulating. The need for insulation makes it necessary to plan for electrification before you begin construction. Be sure to consider the link to the Spider section.

*DIGITAL VOLTMETER (D.V.M.)

This invaluable tool is a must for anyone who owns and electric fence charger in order to accurately maintain his electric fence.

DIGITAL VOLTMETER (D.V.M) FOR ELECTRIC FENCING

The D.V.M. is designed to test the voltage on your electric fence line with a minimum of effort.

WARNING: The D.V.M. is meant to be attached to the fence line only, and should NEVER be connected to other sources of electric power.

The D.V.M. is designed to be used on any electric fence controller on the market.

The D.V.M. is powered by a 9 volt battery which is included with most units.

WHERE TO MEASURE

Measure voltage at the beginning, middle and end of the fence using these same checkpoints each time. Record your readings for comparison.

HOW TO MEASURE

Before connecting the energizer for the first time, and occasionally afterward, test the energizer while disconnected from the fence.

To check the fence:

  1. Connect one lead to a piece of wire pushed into the ground. Connect the other voltmeter’s lead to the energized fence wire. Avoid being shocked by not touching the bare metal on the clip, and making sure that the clip is dry. Read the out put on the voltmeter and note the check point and its reading. Remember the reading is in multiples of 1000 volts, i.e. a reading of 3.4 equals 3,400 volts.
  2. Repeat the above procedure for the balance of the checkpoints.
  3. Check the results with previous readings, and note any discrepancies. A wide variation in readings over time may not indicate a failed controller. Rain, which increases conductivity at shorts and in foilage, will cause almost instant declines in voltage measurements. However, some of these variations may be caused by preventative factors.

The chief culprit in low voltage readings is a poor electrical ground of the controller. Good quality controllers, such as the Low Impedance Energizer, incorporate efficient grounding circuits, and their user’s manual describes good grounding systems in detail. Remember, you can never overdo the electrical grounding. We recommend the following steps to ensure a good electrical ground:

  1. Locate the electrical ground in an area of high soil moisture. The wetter, the better!
  2. Drive 3 ft. of either an approved galvanized or a copper-coated ground rod for each joule of controller output. For high performance controllers, you will need several ground rods, spacing them 1 1/2 X their length apart from each other: i.e., 8’ rods = 12’ apart.
  3. When connecting ground rods to each other, use solid copper wire and attach to the ground rods only with approved ground rod clamps.

The ground system can then be buried in a trench below ground level. WARNING: Never clamp dissimilar metals together, such as copper to galvanized, because of the danger of a galvanic reaction (electrolysis) between the two, which will cause a connection to deteriorate more rapidly.

Some other energy draining factors that can be corrected are:

  1. Excessive grass growth touching wires. Correct this by spraying, mowing, or weed-whacking the fence line.
  2. Poor quality insulators. These are more readily detected by inspecting insulators after dark, when shorts are more visible. Also, a transistor radio tuned to short-wave will detect faults when walked along the fence; the sparks will cause interference.
  3. Wire knots or twisted wire connections. They can cause problems. Use approved crimping sleeves.
  4. Leakage in underground electrical hook-up. Use approved materials and methods.
  5. Metal objects shorting fence. Be on the lookout for stray wire, etc.