Okay, this is a classic electric fence troubleshooting scenario. The fact that the energizer works fine when you're completing the circuit manually, but not when connected to the fence and ground, is crucial information. It pinpoints the issue to something along the fence line or within your grounding system, even though your ground rods are in saturated soil.Here's a breakdown of potential problems and how to troubleshoot them, given the information you've already provided

1. Focus: Leakage/Shorting Along the Fence Line

This is by far the most common cause when an energizer seems weak even though it's "snapping." The energy is escaping before it can deliver a good shock. Visual Inspection – THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP



Vegetation

Walk the entire fence line, looking for weeds, grass, or branches touching the hot wire. This is extremely common, especially after rain or rapid growth. Even a small amount of contact can drain significant energy. Clear everything away from the fence.

Insulators

Check every single insulator. Look for cracks, breaks, or signs of arcing (burn marks). Even hairline cracks can allow current to leak, especially in damp conditions. Replace any suspect insulators.

Wire Condition

Look for broken strands of wire, especially where the wire is attached to insulators. A single strand touching a ground rod or a post can cause a short. Also check for rust or corrosion on the fence wire itself, especially at connections or low spots where water might pool.

Connections

Inspect all connections where wires are joined or connected to the energizer, ground rods, or gates. Make sure they are clean, tight, and rust-free. Loose or corroded connections create resistance and reduce the fence's effectiveness.

Low-Hanging Wires

Make sure no wires have sagged close to the ground.

The "Walking Test" (with a voltmeter or fence tester)

If you have a fence tester with a digital display (showing voltage), this is ideal. If you have a voltmeter, connect the ground lead to a known good ground (like a ground rod) and the positive lead to the fence wire. Start at the energizer and measure the voltage. It should be high (5,000 volts or more is good). Walk along the fence line, taking voltage readings at regular intervals (e.g., every 50 feet or between posts).

The Key

Watch for a significant drop in voltage. Where the voltage drops sharply, you're getting close to the source of the leak or short. Focus your inspection in that area. If you don't have a voltage meter, you can use a simple fence tester (the kind with the lights that blink). While not as precise, it will still show a relative drop in power.

Segmenting the Fence

If the walking test doesn't pinpoint the problem, try dividing your fence into sections. Disconnect sections of the fence one at a time, starting at the farthest point from the energizer. After disconnecting each section, check the energizer's output (without anything connected to the hot terminal). When the energizer's output returns to normal after disconnecting a section, you know the problem is in that section. Then you can focus your troubleshooting on that area.

2. Grounding System Evaluation (Even with Saturated Soil)

You have four ground rods in saturated soil, which should be good, but let's double-check: Connection to Energizer

Make absolutely sure the ground wire from the energizer is securely connected to all of your ground rods. Use heavy-gauge wire (at least 12.5 gauge, preferably thicker) and good quality clamps. Corrosion at these connections is a common problem. Clean the connections thoroughly with a wire brush.

Ground Rod Placement and Spacing

Ground rods need to be spaced at least 6-8 feet apart to be truly effective. If they're clustered too closely, they won't dissipate the energy properly.

Ground Rod Resistance Test

Ideally, you want to measure the resistance of your grounding system. This requires a specialized ground resistance meter (earth tester). These are available for rent at some tool rental places. A good grounding system should have a resistance of 25 ohms or less. Higher resistance indicates a problem.

Temporary Additional Ground Rod

As a test, drive another ground rod (even a short one) near the energizer and connect it to your existing grounding system. Does this improve the fence's performance? If so, it suggests your grounding system is marginal.

3. The Energizer Itself (Even Though You Replaced It)

You said you bought a new energizer and it didn't work. This makes it less likely the energizer is the primary problem, BUT: Correct Voltage and Joule Rating

Make sure the energizer is appropriate for the length of your fence and the type of animals you're containing. An underpowered energizer won't deliver a good shock, even if it's working properly.

Energizer Settings

Some energizers have different settings for different conditions (e.g., high voltage/low pulse rate for dry conditions, lower voltage/higher pulse rate for wet conditions). Check the manual and make sure it's set correctly.

Troubleshooting Steps - A Structured Approach1. Start with the Visual Inspection

This is the most likely culprit. Be thorough!2.

Check Ground Connections

Clean and tighten all connections to the ground rods.3.

Walking Test with Voltage Meter

This is the next most helpful step, if you have a voltage meter.4.

Segment the Fence

If the walking test doesn't find the problem, divide and conquer!5.

Test the Ground System

If problems persist, rent a ground resistance meter.6.

Confirm Energizer Suitability

Ensure your energizer is correctly sized and configured for your fence.

Important Safety Notes



Always disconnect the energizer from the power source before working on the fence. Use insulated tools when working on electric fences. Be careful when touching the fence wire to test it. Use an insulated probe or a fence tester.* If you are unsure about any of these steps, consult with a qualified electrician or fencing professional.

By systematically checking these areas, you should be able to identify and fix the problem. Good luck! Let me know if you have any more questions as you work through these steps. Flag for review