Troubleshooting Invisible Fence - Page 1

Last summer, I installed an invisible fence to keep my dogs out of the perennial beds that are next to my property fence. To make it easier on myself, I mostly fastened the wire to the fence, weaving it in and out of the pickets for security. Only the first section, along the west side of the property was buried. In the process, I found out my puppy likes to chew copper wire. Needless to say, this greatly complicated the laying of the fence, which was too big a job to be done in one day, especially if I was going to bury it. The main reason I chose the quick route of weaving it through the pickets was my young bitch's delight in chewing on the wire. I had to get it up and working ASAP, before I ran out of wire AND patience!

I didn't need the fence during the winter, so I turned it off, and stopped using the collars. Today I finally found the time to inspect the fence, and try to get it running again.

I can't get it working. The section that seems to have been damaged is, of course, the one section that was buried. The dogs  UNburied it, and chewed it up. I repaired the only break I could find, but still, it's not working.

So, a couple of questions: how long does the underground wire last? Have any of you strung the wire out in the open the way I did, and did this affect its lifespan?  Ever had trouble with those orange connectors with the gel inside them?

I also used another type of connector on the fence, as I found to order more of the orange ones would cost over $100 in shipping fees, despite the small size of the shipment!  They are the type used for telephone wire. They are small and round with a red button on top, that you depress with the pliers to lock the wires inside the connector. Is anyone familiar with these connectors? How weatherproof are they?

And does anyone have some of the orange connectors they could spare me? I'll gladly pay expenses, of course!

Now, excuse me, I have several major excavations to fill in, then I have to vacuum the mud and hair off the floor for the 3rd time this week....

Maybe I'll just sod the whole damn yard....  It's this time of year when outdoor kennels start to sound like a really, really good idea!

My Invisible Fence was installed in 94. Had it professionally installed which is what I always suggest. Some of the wire is on top of the ground, it shouldn't make any difference. I've have a few breaks, none for 4 or 5 years, most were my fault for cutting it with an edger. I call the IF people and they come out with their equipment, find it and fix it ASAP.  If I know where I cut it, I fix it myself and wrap it with tape and coat it with a waterproof substance made just for that purpose.  I have no connectors, the wire is continuous. If you're using them to splice the wire together, you might not need them. Just peel of the insulation and twist both ends of the wire together and do the above.

Sounds like you  have a break somewhere and you might have to hire someone to find it if you can't figure it out yourself. An electrican might be able to help since the wire is all above ground. Never install an underground fence yourself - it will cost you more in the long run .

Well, the wire WOULD have been continuous, if it hadn't been for a certain puppy that seems to like the taste of copper!

I have a friend whose husband is an engineer with an elevator company. I may ask him to come and help. If that fails, I guess I'll have to call Innotek, and pay for a service call.

Sunsilver,

You can buy the connectors at any electrical supply house and they are not that expensive.    The wire is like an antenna to transmit a signal to the collar, any similar wire would probably do the same job.   The wire is safer in the ground as you have already discovered.   It should last a very long time. 

You have at least one break in the outside antenna wire.  This wire needs to be connected in a continuous loop to and from the transmitter box, connected at two terminals, one wire to each terminal. 

The solution is to buy or rent a signal generator/receiver kit.  Then you disconnect both wires at the fence signal generator box at their terminals and hook up the signal generator to one of the wires and turn it on.  Most signal generator/receiver kits are battery powered.

Then when you place the receiver above the wire you connected the signal generator to, it will beep louder the closer you get to the wire.  Follow the wire from the box outward until the beeping stops.   Then dig up the wire at that point until you  find the break, being careful not to pull the wire and create another break in doing so. 

Splice or reconnect the break in the wire using an insulated connector and then rebury it.  Resume tracing the wire and dig again if the beeping stops.  When you are able to trace the wire with beeping all the way back to the end of the other side of the wire you disconnected from the boxes other terminal, then the job is done. 

Some Home Depots and Lowells sell signal generator/receiver kits.  Otherwise try Grainger or maybee see if you can rent one.  Never connect a signal generator to any live AC wire, but only one that is disconnected and unenergized.  Signal generator and reeiver kits are useful for tracing broken wires inside walls to or finding circuits.  If you are going to have an invidiable fence system it is always nice to have a signal generator/receiver kit for any problems that develop and it wuill pay for itself over time.

How much do they cost, Preston?

 Maren,

Why not simply replace all the wire.....may be easier than renting or buying equipment you do not know how to use etc. As for the general concept, though you did not ask, I am totally opposed to such fencing. They are headaches, and worse yet, do not often do the job and one finds that out all too often the hard way.

Good luck.

Hodie, Preston, as much as I respect you both, it would be nice if people would take the time to read my original post. I DO NOT AND WOULD NEVER rely on this type of fencing to keep my dogs confined, as it is just not safe. It may keep them in, but would not keep other dogs out. The sole purpose of the fence is to keep them from digging in my flower beds, which parallel the existing picket fence. My yard is fully fenced. If it's the shock collar you object to, I see that as preferrable to having to keep the dogs confined to a run or a kennel.

And Preston, you, too, misread my post. The one section of the fence I've found that was breached WAS the buried section. They dug it up, and chewed it to pieces!. So far, I have not been able to find a breach in the above-ground section, which I wove between the pickets..

No, I did not misread your post and I made no assumptions other than you have a break in the antenna wire loop somewhere.   A loty of folks have fenced in yards but use electric colar systems to keep their dogs away from the swimmig pool or garden when they are outside with their owners.  Some use them above ground and some use them on the ground or buried (it doesn't matter).  I merely told you how to find the break(s) and fix them.  Sorry I wasted my time.  Next time you ask for any info I'll refrain.

Arrrgh. My apologies, Preston. I thought you were the one who said this when actually it was Two Moons: "The wire is safer in the ground as you have already discovered.   It should last a very long time. "

I do appreciate the information, really. I'm sorry. Looks like I've been hoisted by my own petard!