Customer Reviews

Parmak MARK7 Low Impedance 110/120-Volt 30-Mile Range Electric Fence Charger

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I purchased one of these to replace a failed Fi-Shock unit which died after 25 months service. That unit worked OK and made a gentle click, click, click noise every second or so as the high voltage impulse was sent down the fence.
The Parmak unit makes a noise more akin to a door banging shut - enough to cause a headache if working nearby. Since the manufacturer confirmed it was supposed to make that sort of noise, I will now have to sound proof it since is installed in my garage which is also a workshop. Even if you install this in a location where the noise won't bother you, it could well disturb any animals or livestock nearby.
A low-impedance fence charger is pretty simple to make - the only part of it that's not an off the shelf component is the inductor or transformer used to produce the high voltage output. Parmak told me the noise was caused by the laminations of the transformer's magnetic core knocking together. Probably true and a reflection of a cheap and crude manufacturing method or design.

I've now had this unit in use for 2 months and it's almost useless. My prior charger kept out deer 99% of the time. With this unit attached to exactly the same fence, they get in almost every day. The display on the unit claims an o/p voltage of about 13kV and the label says it will power 30 miles of fence. I have about 1600 ft, few or no weeds and the o/p measured with a fence tester at the terminals is just 9kV and it falls off measurably along the line.

Bottom line, this is a badly made ineffective piece of rubbish. Avoid.

After 2 other brands failed, I finally got a real fence charger. Unlike another reviewer's complaint, mine makes a little clicking sound as it's supposed to. My neighbor recommended this charger as his has been around since they were introduced. It has been energizing over 40 acres trouble free! And it is MADE IN THE USA!!!!! I love it and our cattle respect it!

I haven't used this Parmak fencer too long but it has worked fine for the time I have used it. I did have a Parmak before this one that lasted for years. So I am convinced they make a good product. I purchased this fencer through Amazon.

The digital display on this unit is very handy and gives a good indication that it is actually working correctly. But the 30 mile suppposed range on this seems very optimistic. The actual output even at very short range seems quite low. Having used the old versions of these fencers with non-digital electronics that really gave a big wallop, this unit seems very tame in comparison.

up & running. a good fencer.Parmak MARK7 Low Impedance 110/120-Volt 30-Mile Range Electric Fence Charger. a good company product also.

We run two parmak fencers. One like this one, and one that is the next size larger. This one has been going strong for close to five years and runs electric net fencing. One user complained about the clicking sound they make. While they do make a clicking sound, it isn't as obnoxious as he claimed. Actually I kinda like the clicking as I can tell what condition the fence is in by the sound and don't even have to look at the gauge. A sharp click is a good clean fence, a muted dull click indicates a problem with the fence. Both of ours have served us well (the other one finally died due to a lightning strike so I'm ordering a replacement). The user complaining about the clicking also commented on the failure to stop animals. This is more than likely the result of inadequate ground. This is a HIGH PERFORMANCE fencer (which most fi-shock models are not). It not only puts out high voltage, it has a fairly high JOULE rating (i.e. engergy output) compared to most other fencers. This is what allows it to shock through heavy wet weeds. As such it MUST have a good ground. If you do not ground it well, it will not perform well. It is as simple as that. Buy one of these, ground it well, and you will be very happy.

This is an excellent system if installed correctly. I ran it entirely around my 8 acre property, two strands of 12 gauge wire. I have three Great Pyrenees and 8 goats, it it controls them all wonderfully. When it does have problems, I inevitably find a short somewhere in the fencing.

So, if it isn't working correctly, I would consider operator error, first.

I also run lines off the perimeter fence to enclose my garden and to connect my electric poultry netting. Everything works great. Couldn't be happier with this unit.