I've searched for this company but can't seem to find them. Need a transformer for a fence charger-Blitzer Comet Serial 19746; Model 8510-A; 6 volt battery; Northern Signal (division of Waters Inst. Inc. Rochester MN). There is a date of April 19(?) 1977 on the inside cover.

The transformer was marked Northern Signal 2258.

Anybody know what would be available today that would work in this? We've cut open the transformer and found the little hair of a wire that is causing the trouble. But that's a pretty delicate soldering operation for old eyes. Rather just buy a new good one. Because of the space alloted to the transformer, and a spring that comes off the top, I don't think we'll be able to be too creative on substituting other transformers.

Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), May 08, 2000

Answers

I work at a small transformer manufacturing house. If you can't find a replacement unit you could send the old transformer to me and I could have a go at repairing it, if it is not too badly damaged. Can you describe it to me, and what you think is wrong with it? I am trying to find the number you listed but so far have not found any cross reference. Les

-- Les (lvaughn@suntransformer.com), May 08, 2000.

New info,

I found Northern Signal in my Industry directory and faxed them your information. I should hear back from them within the next few days. Les

-- Les (lvaughn@suntransformer.com), May 08, 2000.

Gerbil, Max-Flex Fence Systems, US Rt.219, Linside, WV, 24951 (800)356-5458 has great solar powered electric fencing. I found this company on the net, but the brochure they sent me doesn't have their web site. They have great moveable, electric net fencing that we are considering getting for the goats. Hope this is helpful. Brenda

-- B.Reise (d+breise@northcom.net), May 08, 2000.

Brenda, just a word about the moveable netting -- it does have uses, but we found it wasn't really great for goats or sheep. We had one black lamb, and a goat kid, figure out how to get out by pushing up the bottom strand, which isn't hot, and crawl out underneath so only their backs touched the hot wires, and evidently they were well enough insulated that it wasn't bothering them too much. Then the rest saw their neat little trick, and followed suit, so the whole flock would be out. We also had animals spook and try to go through the fence. They would get tangled up in it, pull up some of the posts, the fence would go down, the rest of the animals would be out, leaving one or two caught in the fence strangling -- we had to be real fast to get them out, and be prepared to cut them loose, thus damaging the fence. Maybe others have had better luck with it, but I wouldn't use it again.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), May 09, 2000.

This would have to be THE ideal thread - question concise and detailed, answers to the point and cover everything.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), May 10, 2000.