Gallagher S12 Solar Electric Fence Charger review

Positive Reviews

The S12 is clearly a performant and well recieved product in market. Verified buyers highlighted some of the following key points.

👍 Ease of Installation: A common mention was, "Super easy to install," highlighting the charger's user-friendly setup.

👍  Portability: Reviewers appreciated its portability, stating, "Compact and easy to move," which is ideal for strip grazing and improved pasture management.

👍  Reliability: Others said it was, "Reliable power even in low light conditions," emphasizing the effectiveness of the built-in solar panel and lithium battery.

 👍  Built-in Earthing System: A few reviewers found the unique earthing system beneficial, saying, "Mounts directly onto a metal rod, no ground lead required," simplifying the installation process.

Negative reviews

Just like anything else, some users weren't as impressed with their experience. 

👎 Limited Range: A few customers noted that the charger's effective range might be less than the advertised 4 miles, especially in areas with heavy vegetation or challenging terrain.

👎 Battery Performance: Some users reported that the lithium battery's longevity diminished over time, leading to reduced effectiveness, particularly during extended periods of low sunlight.

👎 Durability Issues: There were isolated mentions of the charger casing not withstanding harsh weather conditions as expected, raising concerns about its long-term durability.

Area cover

The Gallagher S12 is a smaller, more affordable unit suited for smaller areas and to get the most effective protection you will want to make sure your powered fence line is free of grass and other foliage.

 

To put this into context you have 4 miles of single fence line, you could enclose an area roughly the size of 13.6 football fields (including the end zones).

Here’s a quick breakdown:

1 football field (with end zones) is about 1.32 acres.

 

4 miles of fence line (under ideal conditions) can cover 18 acres, which equals the area of 13.6 football fields.

Realistically for cattle, you are going to need a minimum 2 hot wires, so you can cut this in half pretty quickly. This gets you down to 9 acres, so think about this before making a purchasing decision based off the claims on the box.

 

Best Use Case: Temporary or Portable Fencing

🐓 Small Animals: With a stored energy capacity of 0.12 joules, the Gallagher S12 is not ideally suited for containing larger livestock such as cattle, which typically require a more robust and powerful fencing solution to ensure their containment. However, this model is quite effective for smaller animals, such as sheep, goats, or even pets, that require a fencing solution that is both temporary and portable. The S12's design makes it particularly advantageous for situations where flexibility and ease of relocation are important, such as setting up temporary enclosures for small-scale farming operations. Its lightweight and compact nature allow for quick setup and dismantling, making it an excellent choice for those who need a fencing solution that can be easily moved and adjusted to suit changing needs or environments.

 

🐕 Pet exclusion: The S12 is also a great \ solution for keeping pets and pests out of your precious gardens, providing a reliable barrier that helps maintain the integrity and beauty of your outdoor spaces. Its efficient design ensures that curious pets, such as dogs and cats, are deterred from entering areas where they might cause damage or disruption. Additionally, the S12 is effective in preventing unwanted pests, like rabbits or raccoons, from accessing your garden and potentially harming your plants or vegetables. This makes it an invaluable tool for gardeners who wish to protect their hard work and investment from being compromised by animals. The ease of installation and portability of the S12 means it can be quickly set up around garden beds or flower patches, offering a flexible and adaptable solution that can be adjusted as your gardening needs change throughout the seasons.

Limitations for Permanent High-Tensile Wire Fencing:

If you are looking for something more permanent, you should probably go bigger!

⚡Power Output: The Gallagher S12 is designed to energize up to 4 miles of fence, which is suitable for portable setups, but for permanent, high tensile wire fences that need to span long distances or deal with more challenging conditions (like dense brush, difficult terrain, or large livestock), you’ll likely need a higher-powered charger. Permanent high-tensile fences often require chargers with higher joule ratings for more consistent and powerful energy delivery.

⌛Long-Term Durability: While the S12 is durable and reliable for temporary setups, a permanent high-tensile fence might benefit more from a charger that’s designed to be hardwired into your power system and capable of maintaining high voltage over longer distances, especially during wet or heavy vegetation conditions.

This means

Gallagher S12: Great for temporary or portable fencing, rotational grazing, or small to medium-sized pastures. It’s easy to move and doesn’t require a permanent power connection.

 

So..

If your goal is a long-lasting, permanent high-tensile fence, you may want to explore hardwired or mains-powered electric fence chargers that can handle the higher demands of a permanent setup.

Remember, energizers of this size are typically not suitable for cattle

Another thing to consider is what you are protecting from pets to managing a variety of smaller livestock like chickens, sheep, or goats, this charger can meet your needs. It can even help keep things out. So if you want to protect a garden or area of land, it can be a great deterrent!

Electrified lines offer a safe boundary for pets like dogs, and the solar-powered design allows placement in remote areas without external power.

The Gallagher S12 provides a portable and cost-effective solution for managing smaller livestock like chickens, sheep, and goats, effectively containing them with electric fences.

The S12 is perfect for temporary enclosures, allowing flexible and secure management of animals and pastures with solar-powered ease.