Electric Fence Charger Review | Cyclops Champ 12v Fence Charger Repair

[@NCF8710]

I purchased this unit based on your review and service videos. This replaces a Parmak Magnum 12 which failed under warranty. It took them 5 weeks to return it to me. Had I known at the time you were a Parmak warranty repair station, I would have sent it to you. They replaced the board. The new board has a number of SMD capacitors instead of a single large axial leaded capacitor. They rate this unit at 3 joules, but I suspect that number is for stored joules. The 100 AH battery runs for 4 - 5 weeks before needing a recharge compared to the 10 - 14 days for the Cyclops. The Parmak unit is now a backup unit should the Cyclops need service. The Parmak unit hit with enough authority to keep deer out of the garden. I have not had the misfortune to contact the fence when the Cyclops unit was in operation.

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

Parmak has had plenty of delays on parts for their 6/12v units, both solar and non solar. We have had to wait weeks and months for parts on their parts for the battery powered units. That Parmak unit you have is only about 0.5 output joules. On the Cyclops 12v unit, make sure to keep it protected from the weather. They're not a sealed unit at all and water will get inside and that's not covered by any warranty. They only carry a 1 year warranty on the Cyclops unless you bought the extended warranty on it. Also the Cyclops plastic isn't the greatest as it ages, and the sunlight UV will fade the case and you'll start to get small cracks in the plastic or it'll get brittle on those cheap hangers they use. If it had been me, I would've bought a Gallagher 12v unit. Better quality made inside and out than the Cyclops and a longer warranty. Plus the Gallagher is about 90% waterproof and the only way water can really get inside is from a flood from the bottom up. They're plastic is really well made and the unit can be set out in the weather and sunlight 365 days a year for years and years with no issues. The Cyclops is a good second place.

[@NCF8710]

@@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity My Cyclops fencer is installed in a NOCO snap-top group 27 battery box. I sealed the top vents with electrical tape to prevent water ingress. The drip proof side ports provide the necessary ventilation. After about 2 months out in the weather, the fencer is perfectly dry despite the rainy weather and several downpours. I'm not at all concerned about the lack of weather protection or sun degradation of the plastic case. I had a look inside when I opened the case to remove the zip lock bags containing the spare fuses. I was impressed with the build quality and I like the fact that the output board is mounted away from the control board. The board has MOVs and spark gaps for protection and has an externally accessible fuse protecting it. The large output transformer is center mounted and quite heavy. For my application, the Cyclops unit makes more sense. The Gallagher MBS 400 costs about $200 more than this unit.

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

@@NCF8710 You did the right thing by installing it inside that sort of box. Most people don't or put something else over it that doesn't do much for protecting. Also, I'm well aware of how that unit is built inside, worked on plenty of them. They have still their issues and the transformers do go bad on occasion and they use cheap fuse holders which I've replaced dozens and dozens of them with better quality made ones. My money is still being put on a gallagher over a cyclops.

[@jerrydelvalle973]

I came across your videos, great content!!! I had a dumb question what happens if the charger looses power? Can a 12 volt battery be added for backup power?

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

If the unit is internally set up for 12v power, then yes that would work. If it's set internally to run off 110/120vac or even 220/240vac, then no it won't. Unless you buy a DC to AC converter to turn 12v power into 110/120v power. Or just look at a dual powered fence charger that is set up to run off either one already out of the box. The Gallagher MB and MBS models are like that. There's also Speedrite units, but they're nowhere near as reliable as the Gallagher stuff for the money that Speedrite is asking for their stuff.

[@AshishJain-nb5vs]

Another good 12 volt unit

[@wmkess]

Good video. Have you ever done a grounding video? I’d love to see one by you done on ground rod installation, location, spacing, and all of that.

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

Here's a video that's got some good info on it, kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ-mY2pue5yqobM All of our fence stuff we use here is already installed. When I get some free time, I'll probably try and make a video on that, but I'm so busy with repairs and family life, I just don't have the time at the moment.

[@dukeman7595]

Nice video it tells a lot about the different brands. The biggest piece of junk is "Zebera" I have a 12 volt D.C. Zebera that will barely give a shock, you can literally hold the fence and only feel a slight tingle. The unit is approx. 2 years old, the first year it gave a decent spark, the second year barely a tingle. Payed $110.00 dollars approx. for it and it's junk.

[@Angel283]

What in your opinion is the best 12v charger brand?

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

If you want long term reliability, look at a Gallagher. They do cost more than a Cyclops, but they also carry a 3 year warranty vs cyclops 1 year warranty. I honestly think Gallagher is a notch above in quality than the cyclops. Cyclops aren't bad, but they do have their issues from time to time.

[@davidslav5987]

Great content

[@40thplumengineering61]

Getting to busy to answer text emails . Tracking shows my package arrived but no answer ? Have done me well in the past what had happened !!

[@dukeman7595]

That's a fair question and deserves an answer?

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

Already taken care of

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

6 months ago

[@brianbarringer1023]

Could this unit be used with a 164" roll up net fence. Believe its a low impedance fence?

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

Yes most, if not all, brands and models sold today are low impedance. I don't think you need this much power to run the netting fence, but 2-5 joules should run it just fine.

[@ashokapushpakuma.1814]

Give me diegrem basic technology for this type plz

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

Thanks for comment, but I don't have any diagrams for any money or brand. The manufacturers do, but I don't. You'll have to either get a hold of the manufacturer or buy a unit and then reverse engineer it all make your own diagram.

[@jillmondt5398]

I want to know if Cyclops can be operated with a 12 V battery charged under solar power and if so how long will the 5 joules at 8 to 9 thousand V last? I realize to some this may be a silly question yet please understand that I am new to all of this. Any knowledgeable reply will be appreciated.

[@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity]

You're fine, yes they can be operated with a solar panel. You would need it to be at least a 50-60 watt solar panel minimum for that size unit. As well as a voltage regulator for the solar panel. All of that stuff is pretty easy to wire up. You still need a good deep cycle battery and some sort of protective case to keep the cyclops in from the weather. They're not waterproof at all. If you have the correct size solar panel and everything with it, the battery will stay charged up all the time. So I'm theory it should last a long time, unless you go a bunch of days without much sunlight.

[@jillmondt5398]

@@FencerFixerRepairLLCKansasCity Dear Fence Fixer Repair LLC. I thank you for your kind reply, it was most helpful. As to the topic of a voltage regulator I think a MPPT unit will be the only option. My intent is to provide myself some serious bear safety while out camping. I will have to learn which fence wire is best to use for this application- to support the jewels and voltage while being lightweight and packable. May you enjoy future success.

[@NCF8710]

I have this unit in service. Cyclops recommends a 100 AH deep cycle 12V battery for operation. This battery will need to be recharged every 10 - 14 days. I installed a pair of 20 watt solar panels connected in parallel through a solar panel controller. One panel is facing south east and the other is facing south west. This setup has been running for 2 months. I check the battery voltage periodically. During the day, the voltage is about 13.3V. At night, the voltage is about 12.5V. The battery has not required a recharge yet. The Cyclops fencer is not weatherproof. I have mine installed in a NOCO snap-top group 27 battery box. It fits perfectly. I sealed the top lid vents with electrical tape to prevent water ingress. The drip proof side ports provide plenty of ventilation. We had a wet Summer so far with a few downpours. The fencer remained perfectly dry in the battery box. The output voltage ranges 9.5 to 10KV anywhere on the fence. I'm using 4 ground rods.