Proper drone maintenance and storage

Find out how to extend the life of your copter.

Winter is a season in which not all drone owners will risk using them, and some will prefer to at least do so less frequently to make sure they avoid the potential dangers of winter flight. But if you just leave your drone in the closet or on a shelf, there is no guarantee that this storage method is safe and there will be no consequences. To take care of the long-term life of the device, it is important to know how to properly maintain and store it.

See the following few tips for drone maintenance and storage:

1. Check the drone for damage

Whether you intend to make the next flight after a day or the next season, you should always check your drone for damage or scratches after use. This should become your habit to make sure that the next time you decide to fly, everything will be fine. This way you will be able to detect small problems before they become significant. The main things you need to check for potential damage are the gimbal, the camera lens, the rotors, the propellers and the battery.

Do not postpone repairs for later, especially if you do not plan to make the next flight soon. You are likely to forget about the damage and be unpleasantly surprised. If necessary, order spare parts for your drone so that you can change worn or broken ones in time. The best thing is to seek a professional drone service.

COPTER.BG is the only officially licensed warranty and out-of-warranty drone service of DJI products for Bulgaria. You can contact us here: https://www.copter.bg/en/content/11-dji-drones-and-products-service.

2. Clean the drone

The initial step in cleaning your drone is to remove dust and dirt from the gimbal and camera. However, it’s not the only thing. To do quality cleaning you will need to try to remove dirt from the inside of the machine. For this purpose, you can use a brush or compressed air.

To clean dirt that is between cracks, you can use a pipe cleaner or a soft brush, and the body of the drone can be wiped with a microfiber cloth.

3. Update the firmware

Make all updates to the drone firmware and the controller to be ready for your next flight. If you intend to do this after a long time, be sure to update the system before taking off.

4. How to store batteries

The batteries’ charge shouldn’t be full or too little when stored, as you risk damaging them. The charger and the batteries themselves indicate how charged they are – ideally between 40% and 60%. Another important rule is never to store the batteries in the charger itself.

Also, you should not keep the batteries in your drone. Especially if you are not planning on using it for a long time, you must store the batteries separately.

5. Take care of the individual parts

For proper maintenance and storage of the individual parts, it is necessary to remove them and keep them immobilized and cleaned. To protect the gimbal, you must cover it with its respective protective cover.

If possible, separate the propellers from the rotors, clean them and store them separately to protect them from damage.

6. Where should you store your drone

Once you have finished cleaning and separating all the parts, you must select a suitable storage space. The place where you will be storing the device should not have direct sunlight and the temperature should be between 20-25 °C. Extreme temperatures can affect the life of the batteries and their functionality. Keep the drone and controller away from electrical objects.

The room must be dry and non-magnetized. Avoid wet places, as moisture can damage metal and plastic parts. A recommended place to store your drone is your closet or a cupboard, as long as the said conditions are met.

7. Consider safe storage and insurance

If you’ve already invested enough in your drone and its safe storage is important to you, we recommend that you purchase a suitcase or backpack for a drone. On the COPТER.BG page you can choose the right accessory that will protect your drone from various risk factors. For your extra peace of mind, you can also purchase insurance that will cover the damage in various cases. See more about the insurance options we offer here: https://www.copter.bg/en/43-service-plans

8. Check again before the flight

If you have not used your drone for a long time, it is a good idea to take a closer look at all the parts and the device itself.

• See if the drone and the controller have damaged parts or corrosion.
• Prepare the batteries by checking them for corrosion and charging them completely.
• Check and update the firmware.
• Begin by performing a short test flight to check if everything works as intended.

To view the best and up-to-date drone models, feel free to explore our page. There you will find everything you need for your aircraft and its maintenance and storage.