Recommedations Please...Electric Fence Chargers

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OH Breeder

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Feb 14, 2007
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Ada, Ohio
can some one give me a good recommedation on what electric fence chargers you have had luck with. We pasture some wooded areas seasonally and I haven't been able to find a really good charger that will go the distance. Thank you kindly in advance. I am willing to order on line as I am getting ready to move cows to new pastures.

PS
Bought a few a Tractor Supply but we've run through them like water. About every 3-6 months we are buying a new one it seems like. so NO TSC chargers.
 

Top Knot

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Feb 9, 2010
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SD
Gallagher, hands down. I got tired of weak output, weeds grounding the fence, bulls walking through the wire without flinching. I put out the money for a Gallagher and found out how much my cheap Red Snappers were costing me in time and effort. The real value is in a high value fencer. There may be other good ones besides Gallagher, but never go "cheap".
 

CAB

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Mar 5, 2007
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Corning,Iowa
Gallagher would be my first choice, but I have also heard great things about Par-macs.
 

GoWyo

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Nov 29, 2008
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Wyoming
I have used a solar Parmak 12 volt for 4 years to heat up about a mile of 3-strand high tensile fence.  It has bitten me a couple of times and it hits hard enough.  Biggest thing here is either vegetation on bottom strand when we get a good year (have to take power off that wire) or when the ground gets too dry.  This is a remote location, so AC charger not a possibility.
 

nate53

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Mar 26, 2011
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North East, Missouri
We got a couple Gallagher's and have had them for a few years with no problems, if you touch the fence once you will make sure you don't touch it again they are that hot.  We have wooded areas as well and they work, not cheap though. :)
 

DL

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Jan 29, 2007
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OB - I have a Gallagher Smart Power MBX 2500 - runs thru woods, wet grass over my head etc - he has the ability to ramp up to maintain power - the only time it doesn't keep a really hot charge is if there is metal on metal - ie tree down and wires touch or hot wire touches t post because the insulator broke. It makes a sound when it can't make enough power - despite diverters and surge protectors - it has been zapped by lightening 3 times - first 2 under guarantee - otherwise I send it to my Gallagher guy and get it back in no time - I love this charger - it is at least 10 years old and shows no sigh of age :) (ps I have 10 ten foot grounds and the charger is outside)
 

firesweepranch

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Jun 17, 2010
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SW MO
DL said:
OB - I have a Gallagher Smart Power MBX 2500 - runs thru woods, wet grass over my head etc - he has the ability to ramp up to maintain power - the only time it doesn't keep a really hot charge is if there is metal on metal - ie tree down and wires touch or hot wire touches t post because the insulator broke. It makes a sound when it can't make enough power - despite diverters and surge protectors - it has been zapped by lightening 3 times - first 2 under guarantee - otherwise I send it to my Gallagher guy and get it back in no time - I love this charger - it is at least 10 years old and shows no sigh of age :) (ps I have 10 ten foot grounds and the charger is outside)
I agree! We love ours. We have a fence tester we use when we hook in a new line (we move pastures a bit, manage intensive grazing here), and it constantly runs 7000 volts, unless it is shorting to a t-pole. Then we see more like 3000, still a hit but not as hard. We move our fences around a lot, and it takes the abuse. We have had our charger for 4 years now and no problems. Watch out, it will give your heart a good zap if you touch the wires  :eek:
 

Show Dad

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Jul 7, 2007
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1 AU from a G2 yellow dwarf star
I bought my first Parmak over 15 years ago and it's still working great. My dad has one over 25 years in age.  I also have gotten a couple of their 12v solar units this past year and just love them.

The TSC fencing department just isn't what it use to be and I avoid it like the plague.

JMHO
SD
<alien>
 

ML

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Nov 11, 2009
Messages
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We have both Gallagher and Parmak solar chargers.  The Parmak is hands down the best.  Much hotter and we have had no maintenance with them.  The Gallagher's seem to quit working after about two years and need a part that costs about $50.  Parmak will fix them forever for free if you get it to them.  Gallagher's are much easier to attach to a steel post, Parmak is still using the same design as 50 years ago.  I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 

hntwhitetail

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Aug 11, 2010
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1,452
I'll have to give you the name of my new one....  got close to it weed wackin' lastnight and automatic drop of the weedwacker and about on my knees... hits hard!
 
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