Using Drone Batteries

Let’s begin with some general tips on using the batteries in your aircraft.

1. Start off by downloading and reading the manual for your specific flight battery and drone before taking them out for a flight. Make sure you understand the basic functionality before you fly. Pay particular attention to the section on the Intelligent Flight Batteries.
2. Only fly your drone with a fully charged battery that is securely mounted in the aircraft. As part of your pre-flight checklist, you should ensure the batteries are properly fitted and charged to 100%.
3. Never install or remove a battery from an aircraft when it’s turned on.
4. Avoid flying your aircraft erratically. This includes sudden changes of direction or abrupt braking. This will quickly drain the battery as the motors will be working harder than they need to. Try to keep your operation to steady movements and slow braking for longer flight times. We understand that this isn’t always possible but for general drone use, you should aim to follow this tip.
5. Make sure you follow the operating temperature guidelines found in the user manual for your aircraft. Flying in cold temperatures will reduce your battery capacity and warm temperatures may lead to irreversible battery failure. Some aircraft such as the Inspire 2 and Matrice 200 series have self-heating batteries but you must follow the temperatures in the manual.
6. If you have multiple batteries for an aircraft, it’s recommended you cycle through your batteries and avoid using just one. Balance the pressure you put across your batteries. Labeling your batteries may help.
7. At least every 20 cycles, complete charge and discharge the aircraft’s battery. This will help optimize the lifecycle of the battery. Unlike previous LiPo batteries, this won’t cause lasting damage to your battery as long as you limit how often it’s done.
8. DJI batteries are shipped in Hibernation Mode. When you receive a new battery, you will need to charge it to 100%. This will bring them out of the mode for standard use. Batteries will also enter hibernation mode if completely drained for more than ten minutes. Again, follow the same process.
9. Keep the connectors on your batteries, chargers, and aircraft clear of debris and dust. The connectors can be cleaned with a clean and dry cloth or compressed air canister. Be careful when cleaning to avoid damage to the connectors.
10. If you encounter a battery error, try running your battery down to 0% then recharging. Unlike previous LiPo batteries, Intelligent Flight Batteries retain some charge which helps avoid irreversible errors when discharging a battery.