Any tips for cooling down the battery?

Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
67
Reaction score
11
Age
50
Does anyone have a tip for cooling down the battery for a next quick charge? Put in the car with aircon at maximum, put in the fridge (as it can sustain a minimum temperature of -10C) or just let it cooling down at ambient temperature?
 
I only let mine cool off on their own. I think putting a hot battery in the freezer as some here have mentioned, could possibly cause it more harm than good, not to mention condensation build up. But each to their own
I bought two more intelligent Phantom 3 batteries tonight, so I have a total of four.
I'm in No hurry to charge them back up now. ;-) until I get home, that is...

It's an expensive solution, and probably not for everyone. But, Acquiring a couple more batteries will help you fly a lot longer. And especially once they are completely broken in.
Some pilots already have six intelligent Phantom 3 batteries. Cool.


RedHotPoker
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jbundy63
Let the battery cool under ambient temp. Force cooling is not good for the cells. If you can't wait, get more batteries. It's like putting red hot steel in water. If done right it can temper it and make it stronger. Done to many time it goes brittle and can break like glass. It's all in how it was designed. And the new batteries require a cooling down time before recharging to prevent damage. Usually 30 min + or - a little.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jbundy63
The problem with most of those options is that the battery is pretty thick. By putting in front of fans and that kind of thing you are cooling the outside of the battery much faster than the inside which could cause problems. It is a pain sometimes, but it is best to let it slowly cool by itself to not stress out the cells with a rapid temperature change or having the cells at radically different temperatures.

I am not a battery specialist or a chemical engineer, so I am just making this up -- but it sounds like it could be right...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Oso and Jbundy63
There are two things I practice with hot/warm batteries.

1. I never put them back in the case. The Styrofoam simply insulates the battery and it requires a LOT longer to cool off.

2. I'll let them cool off in the house with a ceiling fan running.

I just don't know for sure if cooling them off quicker by putting them in a fridge will affect them. I'd rather wait than have a Quad battery fail in flight and lose a $1,000 machine.
 
D
I only let mine cool off on their own. I think putting a hot battery in the freezer as some here have mentioned, could possibly cause it more harm than good, not to mention condensation build up. But each to their own
I bought two more intelligent Phantom 3 batteries tonight, so I have a total of four.
I'm in No hurry to charge them back up now. ;-) until I get home, that is...

It's an expensive solution, and probably not for everyone. But, Acquiring a couple more batteries will help you fly a lot longer. And especially once they are completely broken in.
Some pilots already have six intelligent Phantom 3 batteries. Cool.


RedHotPoker

Did you get extra chargers too? I have already ordered a third battery, but can see where more plugs would help?.
 
Did you get extra chargers too? I have already ordered a third battery, but can see where more plugs would help?.

Hi Scott,
No extra charger. With these batteries still being new, it doesn't take long to recharge them from 50% to full.

I have 4 batteries and two 100w chargers which have been very useful to keep in the air longer.

Where are you plugging in, while out flying, Or are you bringing charging power with you? I can see where a small generator would come in very handy...

RedHotPoker
 
Where are you plugging in, while out flying, Or are you bringing charging power with you? I can see where a small generator would come in very handy...

In my case I have an 18Ah 12v battery (http://bit.ly/1JF2s2C) attached to a power inverter (http://bit.ly/1CWTt02) which gives me about 4 full charges from 30% battery power. You can get bigger batteries as well, but the price and weight seem to jump significantly above the 18Ah bat5teries. I got this when we were all still stuck with just the one DJI battery and still find it useful today when out in the field.
 
Definitely, I just let mine cool down normally and have a little rest period before recharging.
 
In my case I have an 18Ah 12v battery (http://bit.ly/1JF2s2C) attached to a power inverter (http://bit.ly/1CWTt02) which gives me about 4 full charges from 30% battery power. You can get bigger batteries as well, but the price and weight seem to jump significantly above the 18Ah bat5teries. I got this when we were all still stuck with just the one DJI battery and still find it useful today when out in the field.

That's awesome, & a great investment. I had thought about something like that, but likely too difficult to transport for me at this time. I need compact solutions, like a wall plug. ;-)
Actually they aren't that big.
I may still look into one Thanks for the links.

RedHotPoker
 
Last edited:
I have a fully water cooled pc. The top radiator is a 360mm with 3 fans blowing up out of the case. I set mine on top of my pc and a couple minutes later they are at room temp.



I like that idea, will have to try that. I've got 7 batteries/two chargers between the two P3Ps and don't worry about things out in the field.

Good idea!
 
I see no problem with cooling off in the fridge. It won't take long. I would put them in a zip lock bag though. After removal from fridge, let them come up to ambient temperature before opening bag to prevent condensation. An old trick from the film storage days.
 
In my case I have an 18Ah 12v battery (http://bit.ly/1JF2s2C) attached to a power inverter (http://bit.ly/1CWTt02) which gives me about 4 full charges from 30% battery power. You can get bigger batteries as well, but the price and weight seem to jump significantly above the 18Ah bat5teries. I got this when we were all still stuck with just the one DJI battery and still find it useful today when out in the field.

That's awesome, & a great investment. I had thought about something like that, but likely too difficult to transport for me at this time. I need compact solutions, like a wall plug. ;-)
Actually they aren't that big.
I may still look into one Thanks for the links.

RedHotPoker

That is why I went with the 18Ah battery; it is still pretty small and light. When I am using a Phantom 3 backpack it is completely useless as it adds way too much weight. When using my Pelican 1610 with wheels, there is not a noticeable difference and there is a perfect amount of space for it. I tend to only bring it with me these days if I know there is not going to be outlets where I am going, and it beats needing a generator or running out of battery power!
 
I must put a loose rein on this Phantom 3 spending...
Between the quad itself, then the iPad Air 2 64GB Cellular, 3 extra batteries, spare rotor blades... It needs a case or a proper back pack.

When or where does it top out?

Sign reads: Phantom 3 or Bust!! ;-)

RedHotPoker
 
I must put a loose rein on this Phantom 3 spending...
Between the quad itself, then the iPad Air 2 64GB Cellular, 3 extra batteries, spare rotor blades... It needs a case or a proper back pack.

When or where does it top out?

Sign reads: Phantom 3 or Bust!! ;-)

RedHotPoker
Top out? Lol. There is no top!

In Canadian dollars, I have spent...
Phantom 3 Pro: $1650
Phantom 3 Batteries (x3): $580
Phantom 3 Propellers (x10 sets): $80
Phantom 3 100w Charger: $85
Phantom 3 Lens Cap & Gimbal Lock: $20
Phantom 3 Gimbal Protector: $15
Phantom 3 Motor Guards: $0
Delux Nylon Backpack: $70
Pelican 1610 w/ Dividers: $330
12v 18Ah SLA Battery: $55
300w Power Inverter: $35

I already had previously and directly used with the Phantom...
Seedy Prop Balancer: $35
12v Battery Charger: $10
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0: $120
SanDisk 32GB Extreme microSDHC (x3): $110
Pelican 0915 Memory Card Case: $30
Acer 28" 4k Monitor: $500

...and I still want to get my hands on...
HDMI Output Module: $130
Phantom 3 ND4 Filter: $40
Fatshark Dominator HD Goggles: $700
MyCaseBuilder Custom Foam for Pelican 1610: $200

So, because of the release of the Phantom 3, I have spent a total of $2920 with another $1000+ already planned for. This is one expensive hobby to be in!
 
My fellow Canuck, The back pack is useless anymore, too much stuffing, send it to Alberta.;-) you will never need all of those blades, so yeah, stick two packs of those in the back pack, a handy gimbal protector, you have two, yup send one,,, hashtags me so happy, long long time!! Hahaha

I love shopping with you... Thanks ;-) where would we be without our friends?

You also shared the 'coolest' place, for the Phantom 3 chill down, before an IMU calibration. Grin


RedHotPoker
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: NepenthesLucas
In my case I have an 18Ah 12v battery (12-Volt 18AH SLA Battery | Canadian Tire) attached to a power inverter (MotoMaster 300W Mobile Power Outlet and Inverter | Canadian Tire) which gives me about 4 full charges from 30% battery power. You can get bigger batteries as well, but the price and weight seem to jump significantly above the 18Ah bat5teries. I got this when we were all still stuck with just the one DJI battery and still find it useful today when out in the field.
is your inverter Sine wave i hear it damage electronics if is not
 

Recent Posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
143,066
Messages
1,467,352
Members
104,933
Latest member
mactechnic