Making an Electric Fence Indicator Light

An electric fence.
  • 3 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 50-100
What You'll Need
Neon bulbs
Wire
Work gloves
Powered monitor
Double A batteries
MOSFET
Pilot lamp
NE-2 bulb
What You'll Need
Neon bulbs
Wire
Work gloves
Powered monitor
Double A batteries
MOSFET
Pilot lamp
NE-2 bulb

An electric fence is the perfect barrier to protect your land from unwanted critters and intruders. It’s a virtually break-in proof option for enclosing a given territory. Of course, electric fences also pose potential dangers, especially to the unwary passerby. The best way to alert passers-by to the fact that your fence is coursing with potential dangerous voltage is with a bright warning light that’s visible from some distance.

That way, people will be alerted to the presence of your electric fence even during the evening hours. It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy, of course. In fact, you can even make an electric fence indicator light of your own. Keep reading to learn how.

Step 1 - Build a Neon Bulb Electric Fence Indicator Light

One method of making an electric fence indicator light is to string the fence with neon bulbs, which will be able to feed from the voltage going through the wires. In order to do this, simply purchase basic neon bulbs with a high wattage level from the home improvement store and string them onto the fence, feeding them into the same power source.

The advantage of this method is that it’s simple, easy, doesn’t require a lot of complicated parts, and the neon light will emit a bright, unmistakable light. The downside is that any animals in your yard might be able to knock down and destroy the bulbs, and they might drain too much electricity from the fence itself.

Step 2 - Use an Active Monitor and LED Circuit

Another option for making an electric fence indicator light is to use a powered monitor. You can create a simple LED circuit powered by some double-A batteries. The circuit is controlled by a MOSFET and a current control resister; the system can be attached to the fence with a probing wire. This system works well, but obviously requires a little more electronic know-how as well as some more advanced equipment and parts.

Step 3 - Use a Pilot Lamp

Many homeowners have installed pilot lamps with an NE-2 bulb to function as a makeshift electric fence light indicator. This system can work well, although unfortunately in some types of pilot lamps, black soot can collect in the glass window of the lamp, thus dulling the efficacy of the light.