Any thoughts or input on this combo?


Graupner Polaron EX Combo Charger, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HM7XOJ8..._CU13ub0E5R6RT
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HM7XOJ8..._CU13ub0E5R6RT


I am a noobie, and I know from reading on here that the experienced guys will recommend many other setups that are probably cheaper but I'm looking for something that is dummy proof as possible, simple and realitivly safe and smart.

I travel from time to time so my wife needs to be able to charge the batteries as needed for my 6yo son, also it needs to be simple enough for when the little hard head tries to "help" and do it on his own it will be somewhat straight forward.

Cost is not a factor, something simple all in one that can charge multiple batteries at one time. I do not yet have the knowledge and experience to do the high amp fast charges and all that sort of stuff so something that I can grow into is a plus.

I really appreciate and help, and yes I know it's expensive but I want a all in one set up with an easy interface and wasn't sure if there are other better options or if this thing just sucks or something, thanks again.

I'll bet its a very nice well built charger, not sure how straight forward it is as far as ease of use. It definitely is overpriced IMO for its power output. What size batteries do you use? If mostly 2s stuff then the Team Orion touch duo is a VERY easy to use and setup charger that is great quality and doesnt take up much space and would still do half decent on 4s cells as well.
http://www.teamorion.com/advantage-t...-en.html?sl=EN

Thanks, I have 2,3 & 4s batteries. Mostly 2.

i have this charger. i like it. its a one time buy i.m.o. there is an update out there that upgrades the firmware to have the ability to charge the "new" 4.35 batteries. i dont think they have gotten to the hard case scene yet but some are out there for for air frame purposes. updating the charger to the latest software will i.m.o. make it a little more intuitive and easier to manage the screens (quite a pain to get storage charge without the latest firmware). but is still easy to get "lost" in all the screens and options. that is the 12 volt power supply connected to it and sometime this summer will be a 24 volt power supply that mates up just like the 12 volt. on 24-28 volt this charger can be a beast at charging hi capacity and cell count batteries.

firmware update is another animal in itself. some on other forums have never been able to update and some it was easy. its all on the windows computer and netframework etc etc.
open hobby is the distributor for graupner in the u.s.
here is the page that will explain how to firmware update

http://www.openhobby.com/front/suppo...y=3&searchstr=

mine is the silver without the compatible 12 volt power supply and got it about a month ago off of amazon so they are not current in firmware at this time.

if you dont want to mess with firmware updates id watch openhobby
for thie solo ex in orange and red. manny at open hobby told me the next shipment coming in with in the feb march time frame will be latest firmware
http://www.openhobby.com/front/produ...hp?code=011002

id like to say with out a doubt this is an awesome charger for you but i dont want the "i love my shiny new purchase and need to justify it" to effect the opinion

my thunderpower rc tp820cd (2 channel) is easier to navigate, my xtrema is simple to use if all batteries are same cell count and size and you dont mess up the pin alignment connections. my fma/revolectix cellpro 4s is so stupidly easy to use that i would call it noob proof since all you do is choose the c rating and plug in a balance tap (but only one battery at a time) all of these require you to get a separate psu.

but my polaron's function ability blows all the other chargers i have out of the water

do you have to have dual channel?
if not id look at progressive rc sidekick or neutrino combos
they even put it in a case with a charging deck and are rather compact

http://www.progressiverc.com/cases/c...age=1&top=105&

they have manuals for the various chargers in the combo's available to look at. maybe see if you, the mrs. and the son can look over the charge steps and understand it

edit

p.s. the stand on the polaron is plastic with tabs. very easy to break the tabs off and then resort to velcro and tape to hold it on. yeah i did it.....

I have the 800watt EX version and love it. I've had all the premium chargers and this one is the easiest and best one available. Tower Hobbies has the best deal with coupon and rebate

in my opinion it's a bit over priced for it's lack of power. 2nd channel is only 3 amp and 30w. it's not enough to charge up a 2s at a decent rate. (the same reason the trakpower vr1 is a failure) has some great features I like with being able to test a motor and servo etc. but requires the cables to be purchased separate. which is ironic since it's so over priced as it is.

the best charger on the market in my opinion is an Icharger 308 and 4010. I don't own one but based on the features, price and power, it's the winner.

i thought the polaron pro was restricted on the 2nd channel and the ex was 400 w per channel on 24 volt

I have the polaron Pro. Nice charger but channel 2 is USELESS. You can only charge NIMH and NICD on it. I have posted this before but I would like to know how you charge 2 lipo's on channel 1 using the CV-LINK option on the charge menu. The manual is very vague on it...it just states you must have 2 identical batteries to do it, and that you plug each battery into the 2 balance ports. No mention if you need a parallel cable or what?

I believe your correct and it would be nice if the combo they sold was a 24V setup instead of the 12V supply......220W per channel for 400+ dollars kills it for me but if it came with the 24V supply and could do 400 per channel then it would of been much more appealing to me. I feel like the setup as a whole while neat looking is bigger then it needs to be as well from a couple video's I watched.

Polaron Ex is 400w 20a per channel.

Well yes and no, here are the specs from the Graupner site. With the combo's included power supply which is a 12V unit the charger is capable of a MAX of 220 watt per channel, it is only able to do 400 watt a channel if using a 24V power supply which Graupner does not offer at this time, so while yes they say its a 400 watt 20amp per channel charger it is.......but not in its current configuration with its included 12V supply.


Dimensions (LxWxH) 88,2x203,4x196,3 mm
Disconnection NiMH/NiCd Delta Peak, variable
Artikelbild 1 S2001.BU_Polaron_EX_Combo_blau_001
Artikelbild 2 S2002_Polaron_AC_DC_002
Artikelnummer S2001.BU
Operating voltage DC: 11 ... 28 V
Balancer socket 2x 1-14 NiCd,NiMH/2x 1-7 LiPo, LiIo, LiFe/2x 1-12 Pb
Max. balancing current 350 mA
Discharge current 2x Max.60W / 0,1 - 10 A
Charge facility NiCd, NiMH, LiPo, LiIo, LiFe, Pb
All-up weight, approx. Ladegerät o.Netzteil 1368 g
Charge output 2
Max. charge current 20 A
Automatic charge current USB 5V output (5.0V 2,5A ) A
Charge current Max. 400 W - 24 V, max. 220 W - 12 V/0.1 ... 20 A
Max. discharge current 10 A

sorry folks, I never caught there was a ex and a pro version combos
http://www.openhobby.com/front/produ...e=011000000000

but the ex combo says it's only a 12v 25 amp power supply. so you're not going to get the advertised power the unit can do.