Can I connect small voltage circuit to the trailer frame to keep mice away?
- Thread starter KrisMI
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
gwinger
Well-known member
The trailer frame is grounded. You'll be blowing fuses. Even using a separate battery won't work.
Yes. I forgot to mention that. Will it still blow fuses if I make a switch where I could disconnect the trailers ground? I assume it's grounded with cable since only the frame is steel and the rest is wood?
Kirk
Well-known member
Define low voltage. For it to have any effect on mice it would have to be such that the mouse was touching the ground at the same time as it touches some bare metal part of the RV. You are far more likely to electrocute an unsuspecting person that you are a mouse. I suppose that it might be possible to use an electric fence device but it would stll be difficult to get the mice to use the electrified entry places but if your RV has a metal skin it would sure get the attention of anyone trying to enter!
Frizlefrak
Well-known member
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
The "low voltage" doesn't have to electrocute a mouse to drive it away. A good "tingle" is probably enough. But it does have to pass thru the mouse to a ground, as Kirk described. Not easy to arrange.
Instead of wiring the trailer frame, how about using electronic mouse traps? They use a battery and capacitor and are both safe and effective. https://www.amazon.com/Victor-M250S-Touch-Upgraded-Electronic/dp/B074Y2PW1X
Instead of wiring the trailer frame, how about using electronic mouse traps? They use a battery and capacitor and are both safe and effective. https://www.amazon.com/Victor-M250S-Touch-Upgraded-Electronic/dp/B074Y2PW1X
Mark_K5LXP
Well-known member
If you powered it from a separate source, then "ground" is relative. But you have to get the mouse to get across it. Seems a larger version of a bug zapper is in order:
Karlsten 7000v rat trap
This trap has dimensions of 280mm x 115mm x 140mm. No poisons are employed – you use peanut butter as bait and rats and mice are killed immediately by the 7000v charge, says the maker.
Power can come from the 240v mains or from batteries: four D batteries give 30 or more kills.
For the most part though, both active and passive repellents seem mostly wishful thinking. Providing a secure physical barrier seems a more sure way to mitigate the problem.
Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM
Karlsten 7000v rat trap
This trap has dimensions of 280mm x 115mm x 140mm. No poisons are employed – you use peanut butter as bait and rats and mice are killed immediately by the 7000v charge, says the maker.
Power can come from the 240v mains or from batteries: four D batteries give 30 or more kills.
For the most part though, both active and passive repellents seem mostly wishful thinking. Providing a secure physical barrier seems a more sure way to mitigate the problem.
Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM
Mr Lars
Well-known member
I vote for a cat.
Ray-IN
Well-known member
I agree, it would be like a bird on a high voltage wire.
Kirk
Well-known member
If you do it, let us know how it works out. It would also be interesting to know just how you plan to do it? As a retired electromechanical tech, I would really like to know.
I also have chipmunks and squirrels.
I was hoping you guys could design something
As you can tell I'm not very educated in electronics
Kirk
Well-known member
Or in basic electricity. As a career electric tech I think that you are considering a very risky thing.
I'm in just desperate need to get rid of mice , squirrels and chipmunks out of my trailer. Those suckers hide black walnuts all over
Kirk
Well-known member
But it won't help if you should electrocute someone or burn the RV up. Things like generous use of mothballs can help as can baits and traps. In addition I suggest that you try and eliminate as many of the openings as possible. Use an expanding foam to seal penetration openings. Place steel wool around or into the opneings for things like the power cord. While mice can be difficult to stop, I have never had a problem with squirrels. Could the location of the RV be part of the problem?
Frizlefrak
Well-known member
Adopt a "community cat" (AKA Stray). They're adept hunters, and not terribly difficult to domesticate.....just takes patience and food. They will reward you by keeping rodents and other pests away from your RV. Our trailer is parked next to the house when not in use, and the cats hang out under it a lot. 10 years, not one mouse has breached the trailer....a few have tried, and wound up disemboweled in the yard for their troubles.
If you can't find one prowling the neighborhood that doesn't appear to belong to anyone, adopt an outdoor cat or 2 from the shelter. No need to electrocute the meter reader when he accidentally leans up against your RV.
If you can't find one prowling the neighborhood that doesn't appear to belong to anyone, adopt an outdoor cat or 2 from the shelter. No need to electrocute the meter reader when he accidentally leans up against your RV.
I have a neighbors cat visiting my property once in a while. Sometimes he's here everyday for a week and then he won't show up for few days. Trailer is parked at our property in MI. We are in process of building a cabin there. We have a lot of chipmunks and squirrels there. Also I cover all the holes I could find. But it seems they climb on the tires and then travel along the frame. Next they jump on the slide out (which is in most of the time) and from there they reach the bottom of trailer and make themselves a new hole.
Kirk
Well-known member
From what you describe, even a very high voltage would do nothing at all for you as climbing the tires they are insulated from the ground and once on the frame they would not make a path for the electricity, just as birds are not harmed when sitting on the highline cables that carry 13,800 volts. You need to find another way. Have you tried mothballs or some other type of repellant?
