Electric Fence units

[The Grinch]

We have a couple of the old hotline P500 12v fencers which are still as good as when they were bought. Could do with a couple more as have a few groups of cattle scattered about. Question is do we buy hotline again or try one of the cheaper brands about, difference of about £100 per unit. Has anybody tried any of the cheaper brands if so are they any good?

 

[HarryB97]

We have a couple of the old hotline P500 12v fencers which are still as good as when they were bought. Could do with a couple more as have a few groups of cattle scattered about. Question is do we buy hotline again or try one of the cheaper brands about, difference of about £100 per unit. Has anybody tried any of the cheaper brands if so are they any good?

With fencing units you definitely get what you pay for stick with hotline, Rutland or Rappa

 

[milkloss]

Not so sure. Had some good ones from Voss online. Got some power to them but are in a absurdly large box that feels empty.

 

[Purli R]

Get one of each,see which lasts longest? Which has the longest guarantee?

 

[500john]

Gallagher last and work well. Found that Rutland seem to go wrong.

 

[Tarw Coch]

Best electric fencers I’ve had are Pel 705s from kiwi kit, not cheap to buy but being solar powered theres no battery’s to buy but more importantly as they never suffer a weak battery I’ve never had anything go through a fence with one.
It’s not quite true about not having a battery to change they do have a small motorbike battery in them that the solar panel charges, I haven’t had to replace one yet.

 

[Lincs Lass]

We used to use Gallagher,s. They were the only ones to keep larey swaldales in when they came on there holidays and you could hear them

 

[milkloss]

Gallagher are good, parts are available for the same price as a new unit!! Although to be fair you can get a long warranty if you buy at the right time.

The only thing is that I notice they are hiding the power output of the units and just declaring a fence length which is a little tricky imo. They don’t have a lot of power for the price.

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

I wouldn’t buy a new hotline now even our local dealer said go for Gallagher over hotline as they are not lasting.

 

[betternextyear]

Gallagher are the best but if you buy them . Secure them so they are not easy to steal, I have lost 2 good ones.

 

[honeyend]

Best electric fencers I’ve had are Pel 705s from kiwi kit, not cheap to buy but being solar powered theres no battery’s to buy but more importantly as they never suffer a weak battery I’ve never had anything go through a fence with one.
It’s not quite true about not having a battery to change they do have a small motorbike battery in them that the solar panel charges, I haven’t had to replace one yet.

They seem very expensive, even with the solar panel included, with not a lot of output.
I have Hotline Phoenix350, which is on 24/7 for five years and never had any problems. I suppose with all of these the components are all shipped in from China and made up a badged, the only difference is the casing.
I had a Rutland repaired but was not not cheap and they are clunky, bright colours and size make them difficult to hide. My biggest moan is why do the make them with such thin copper wire which over time always breaks and then is fiddly to repair. When I first started out Rutland was the main supplier, I have a graveyard of five different ones and they seem to really not have improved over the competition.
I have bought cheap ones off of ebay, which worked really well then bust. I buy a lot of stuff from Voss, and the quality is good and the information provided clear.
I would always go for output, then warranty, then price.

 

[exmoor dave]

Another vote for Voss

 

[Bob the beef]

Gallagher solar fence unit imo. Bought one couple of years ago after recommendation from neighbour. Can't beliaeve the kick it puts out, 8500v on a long fence. Much better than my mains unit

 

[A Sales representative]

I vote for Gallagher, it’s kept next doors beef animals out on more than one occasion.

 

[tinsheet]

Voss here also, solar jobs!

 

[Al R]

Always been Rutland and find them really good, usually use ESB325’s for training and 275’s after. Bought a Gallagher 280 a few years ago and its played up more than the 20 year old Rutland’s..
Apparently you can’t get parts for old rutlands now and even the ones they were selling last year have to be returned to be fixed instead of having the local ag store to put boards etc in them..

 

[delilah]

Gallagher are the best but if you buy them . Secure them so they are not easy to steal, I have lost 2 good ones.

can someone explain why fencer units are ever produced in a bright orange box ? we know where we have put them, there's no need to tell the whole world

 

[steveR]

can someone explain why fencer units are ever produced in a bright orange box ? we know where we have put them, there's no need to tell the whole world

I was putting my holidaying neighbours stock back in their field a few weeks ago and had to sort out the fencer. Bearing in mind, he loses fencers like I lose spanners at harvest time, I was gobsmacked to find him buying bright dayglo Orange units!! I coivered it with an old hessian sack as good camo!!

 

[Andyt880]

Voss here for 2 years, loads of power for the money. Have the option of 12v and 240v in most units I think.
I also have a hotline raptor 1.7 here for smaller bits. Hasn’t given any trouble either

I made my own solar charger for a fraction of the price of a solar powered unit and it can be used with any 12v fencer

 

[steveR]

Voss here for 2 years, loads of power for the money. Have the option of 12v and 240v in most units I think.
I also have a hotline raptor 1.7 here for smaller bits. Hasn’t given any trouble either

I made my own solar charger for a fraction of the price of a solar powered unit and it can be used with any 12v fencer

I just get a cheapie panel off the Internet now that Maplins has gone. 20 quid and you are sorted...