How to take care of your drone batteries?

How to take care of your drone batteries?

We'll answer some of the most common questions about drone battery maintenance and storage.

Drones are unmanned flying machines that are battery-powered. Over time, these drone accessories have increased their capabilities and durability, and in recent years, they can now also notify users of their exact remaining charge. Despite improvements in drone batteries, there is still a perceived need among users for more information on proper maintenance and storage.

Is it normal for drone batteries to run low when not in use? Is it a good idea to store batteries at full charge and what else is required for proper maintenance? We'll answer some of the most common queries in this area to bring more clarity to the topic.

In case you have flown your drone and have decided to end the flight and put your device away, there are recommended steps to follow regarding battery maintenance. When you get home and remove the batteries from the machine, keep in mind that the charge will continue to decrease over time. This happens because a kind of protective mechanism is triggered in the battery that tries to protect the integrity of the cells. On DJI models, it can be noticed that if the drone is not used for 10 days, the batteries will discharge to about 60%.

Does the drone battery discharge when not in use?

The charge of the LiPo battery, which is used to power drones, is directly related to the quality and duration of the flight. In time, you will understand how important it is for every drone pilot to have reliable and durable batteries. In order to avoid having to renew these accessories frequently, you really need to know how to properly maintain and store them.

You've probably had your drone batteries charged and left for a few days without using them, then noticed that the charge wasn't at 100%. You might wonder if this is a sign that something is wrong.

Even if you don't use the batteries, they start to discharge automatically, which is normal. As mentioned, this happens to protect the integrity of the batteries cells. What does this mean? If the batteries are not discharged over time when not in use, they begin to bloat and can become damaged.

Is it a bad idea to store drone batteries fully charged?

Drone technology expert’s advice discharging batteries to around 60% and leaving them in a suitable dry environment for storage. When you decide it's time to fly your drone again, remove the batteries and charge them to optimum charge.

We know that users prefer to be prepared, so they often decide to charge the batteries before leaving them in storage, so they don't have to take the time to do this immediately before the flight. However, if you pre-charge the batteries, they will discharge to some extent, which will certainly affect their lifespan.

If you leave the battery fully charged for storage, there is a danger of swelling. This is why most batteries have an automatic discharge mechanism built in. But what happens to batteries that don't have such a mechanism? They are at great risk of damage and life reduction.

How do you properly store drone batteries?

• Store batteries in a cool, dry place at a temperature (22-26˚C).
• Make sure there are no liquids nearby that can spill, and keep batteries away from light and heat sources.
• If you do not use the batteries for several days, discharge them to 50-60% before storage.
• Excessive discharge is also not recommended. Ensure at least 10% charge.
• Always remove the batteries from the drone during storage.

Why do drone batteries die so quickly?

Drones fly due to the rotation of the propellers. To lift and keep the machine in the air and resist wind resistance, these propellers must spin very fast. A large amount of energy is therefore required. This is why the batteries run down quite quickly.

Different weather conditions and the maneuvering of the machine are also a prerequisite for energy consumption. That is why the flight time is limited to minutes.

Conclusion

When you are not using your drone's battery for an extended period of time, make sure the charge is not at 100%. Also, do not assume to store the batteries at zero charge. Follow the proper storage tips in this article, and you will enjoy long life from your drone batteries.

At COPTER.BG, you can find batteries for DJI drones and a variety of necessary additional accessories. Contact our team if you need professional advice.