Electric fence chargers are used to control livestock by delivering a safe, effective shock. Parmak offers a wide range of fence chargers – solar, battery and AC powered.
UL listed fence chargers are low impedance and shock through weeds and brush for livestock control in medium to large pastures. See our full line of Parmak products for more information.
AC Powered
The most common type of fence controller is an AC powered model, because they have more energy output than battery or solar fence chargers. This makes them more convenient to use for permanent electric fence systems.
Parmak has an excellent line of AC operated fence chargers available to meet your needs for fencing cattle, horses, hogs and sheep. All of our models have a UL listing (U.S. and Canada) so they comply with safety standards for electrical shock.
When choosing a fence charger for your electric fence system, consider the number of strands of wire on your fence, the type of fence, and whether you have a lot of weeds near the fence line. Weeds create more current resistance and will draw more power from the charger, which can reduce its output.
If you are using a multi-wire fence (steel or aluminum), divide the charger’s distance rating by the number of strands to select a model with the appropriate mileage rating. If you are using polywire, rope or tape, you will need a higher powered charger.
In addition to the joule rating, you will also want to look at the performance meter of each fence charger. The meter will tell you the exact condition of your fence at all times. This will help you prevent unnecessary returns and save you money on labor costs.
Another factor to keep in mind is the amount of time it takes the fence charger to recharge its batteries. The joule rating does not account for this, and if you have a fence charger that is constantly recharging its battery, it may be consuming more power than it needs.
Lastly, be sure to check the fence controller’s circuit board for any cracks or dings. This will prevent the controller from overheating and breaking down over time.
Parmak fence chargers are continuously inspected at the factory by Underwriters Laboratory (U.L.) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). This ensures that their fence chargers meet both electrical shock and fire safety standards. We recommend a surge protector when you plug your Parmak fence charger into a power outlet.
Battery Powered
Parmak battery operated electric fence chargers are manufactured with the latest technology and designed to work with your livestock control system. These chargers are available in a wide range of models for a variety of applications, from fencing small pets such as cats and dogs to domestic cattle, hogs, horses, sheep and even wild animals such as deer and bear.
All Parmak fence chargers are U/L and CSA listed (underwriters laboratories) which means they have been thoroughly tested to ensure that they meet both electrical shock and fire safety standards. In addition to this, every Parmak fence charger is rated for both voltage and current so that you can be assured that the voltage is high enough to provide a safe shock while the current is low enough not to cause burns or other injuries.
For the most efficient and effective operation, we recommend that you use a battery volt meter to check your battery and the output voltage of the fence charger. The voltage should read 6 volts or higher for the #901 – 6 volt battery and 12 volts or higher for the #902 – 12 volt battery. If the voltage is lower than these, you will need to recharge the battery before using your fence charger.
This can be done by either using the solar panel or by an external taper charger (#951 and #952). If you have a AC operated fence charger, we also recommend that you connect it to a surge protector such as the Parmak Electro-Gard for additional protection against lightning damage.
The Parmak battery powered chargers come with a 6 volt gel cell replacement battery and are warranted to be free from defects in workmanship and materials. If a fence charger is returned to the factory within three years (one year on PG-50) after purchase from dealer for a repair or replacement, we will replace it free of charge.
Parmak battery operated fence chargers can be used on a variety of types of fences including tan netting, wire, mesh, or polywire. For a complete electric fence system, we carry the full line of Parmak insulators, ground rods and fiberglass & poly fence posts.
Solar Powered
Powered by the sun, solar fence chargers are one of the most effective ways to power an electric fence system. With solar panels and a battery, they can be used to charge your electric fence whenever it needs a boost.
The main advantage of using solar electricity for your electric fence is that it is not subject to any running costs. This means you can save money on your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint.
Most solar panel systems use photovoltaic cells, which take in energy from the sun and convert it into electrical charges. This electricity can then be pushed into a rechargeable battery or stored for future use.
There are also solar-thermal power systems, which convert sunlight into thermal energy and can be stored for later use. These are a growing part of the power sector, as governments look to reduce emissions from coal-fired plants.
Many people are now taking advantage of this energy for heating their homes and businesses, by installing large windows facing south, where the sun shines most during winter. This provides the heat to warm buildings and creates a more comfortable environment.
Another way that solar energy is being used to help improve the environment is through passive solar heating, which uses the sun to warm or cool our houses and offices without any need for additional power. In some cases, this is done by simply covering windows with blinds or awnings.
This makes solar electricity an ideal solution for those who live in areas where it is not always possible to install a traditional power line. In some locations, you may even be able to obtain feed-in tariffs from local government.
Despite all of this, there are still several key considerations when choosing to use a solar fence charger for your property. Firstly, you need to make sure that your solar charger is grounded properly. This is essential for the integrity of your fence, as well as the safety of your animals.
The grounding of your solar charger is important because if it doesn’t have a good connection to the ground, it can easily blow fuses and become damaged.
Low Impedance
The parmak fence charger line has been around since the 1930s, and is still one of the leading brands in the industry. Their electric fence energizers are designed to meet your livestock control needs. They are available in AC, battery and solar powered models.
The most important thing to consider when choosing an electric fence charger is the type of fence you will be enclosing. If you are using steel wire, your power need will be lower than if you are using polywire, rope or tape. The number of fence wire strands should also be taken into consideration. Multi-wire fences will require a higher joule rating, so be sure to select the correct charger for your fencing situation.
If you have a high weed load, or are in an area with heavy brush or soil that can conduct electricity, a low impedance fence controller will be better suited to your needs. The low impedance design shocks through vegetation and weeds, maintaining more energy on the fence even as it draws from the battery.
Parmak fence chargers are available in a range of input sources, joule ratings and styles to meet your specific fencing needs. They are backed by a lifetime warranty on their special steel housings (which rust less than other chargers) and one year on gel batteries.
To ensure you are getting the most from your charger, make sure it is grounded properly to protect it and prevent shocks to other animals on your property. Drive the first ground rod a minimum of 6 to 8 feet deep into permanently moist earth and use the provided ground clamp to attach the ground wire.
Once the ground is secure, turn on the fence charger and check the battery voltage with a battery volt meter. The #901 – 6 volt battery should read 6 volts or higher for proper operation and the #902 – 12 volt battery should read 12 volts or higher for proper operation.
If the battery voltage is fine and the performance meter indicates good fence voltage, then disconnect the battery and check output voltage of the fence charger by itself with a plastic handled screwdriver. If a blue spark jumps the gap between the screwdriver and the fence or ground terminal, then the problem is with the fence itself. It could be a loose connection, damaged splice or a broken fence wire insulator.