Battery Discharge Module

[Matchlock]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone tell me if these flight battery discharge modules are safe to use on our Phantom 3 Flight Batteries?

I see people using them but have never asked about them of investigated them at all.

I would appreciate knowing if anyone here has tried them and what they think of the idea.

Smart Battery Discharge Module Discharger For DJI Phantom 3 2 3S 4S 6S Battery | eBay

Many thanks for any help, and here's a link (above) to one of them on eBay.ca

 

[Mark The Droner]

I use one but it doesn't look quite like that. Mine has a lamp on it that gets very bright and is what discharges the battery. I don't see a lamp on the one you are showing, so I don't know how it discharges or whether it discharges safely. But I can tell you mine is relatively safe - you just have to be sure the lamp is not touching anything flammable because it gets very hot.

 

[alokbhargava]

He has two discharge resistors, 10W each.

I never used it so can't comment.


Sent from my iPhone using PhantomPilots

 

[With The Birds]

It will take over one and a half hours to bring a P3 battery down from full to 50% SOC, the load resistors must be series connected as if they were in parallel the wattage rating would be exceeded by 400%.

It seems from the pics that the board is designed to be connected to the balance taps of the pack. This would make it useless for a P3 battery.

Set your auto discharge timer to 1 day and be done with it.

 

[msinger]

Can anyone tell me if these flight battery discharge modules are safe to use on our Phantom 3 Flight Batteries?

Why exactly do you want to use it?

 

[Matchlock]

If it's not too much trouble, would you be able to point me in the direction where I can get one like you have?

Thank you for your kind reply.

Bud

I use one but it doesn't look quite like that. Mine has a lamp on it that gets very bright and is what discharges the battery. I don't see a lamp on the one you are showing, so I don't know how it discharges or whether it discharges safely. But I can tell you mine is relatively safe - you just have to be sure the lamp is not touching anything flammable because it gets very hot.

 

[Matchlock]

How far past the 65% will the auto discharger bring it down to? Perhaps I'll need to use it a little to get it down between 40% and 50%.

Also, would one of those "bulb" discharger units be a safe way to bring a battery down to 8% after 20 charge cycles?

Thanks for the help, it is most appreciated.

Bud
ps
I wish there was a way to check the battery to see what the level is at any time without having to plug it into the Phantom and set it all up. That would be helpful.

It will take over one and a half hours to bring a P3 battery down from full to 50% SOC, the load resistors must be series connected as if they were in parallel the wattage rating would be exceeded by 400%.

It seems from the pics that the board is designed to be connected to the balance taps of the pack. This would make it useless for a P3 battery.

Set your auto discharge timer to 1 day and be done with it.

 

[Mark The Droner]

Here is the one I use and I believe it works for P3 too (I only have P2).

https://www.amazon.com/Jrelecs-Phan...&sr=8-2&keywords=phantom+3+battery+discharger

It brings my battery down to about 65% and then beeps and shuts off. But if you push the tiny button on the board, it starts back up and brings the battery down for a deep discharge. In my case, it brings it down to 3%.

You might check your manual and do a bit of research to be sure you need a deep discharge.

I believe @msinger has this same one - let's see what he says

 

[GaryDZ]

Here is the Cadillac of DJI battery dischargers. www.phantomangel.rocks
A bit pricey but I love it.

 

[msinger]

Perhaps I'll need to use it a little to get it down between 40% and 50%.

Why do you need to get the battery down to this level?

would one of those "bulb" discharger units be a safe way to bring a battery down to 8% after 20 charge cycles?

Yes, but there is need to cycle your battery unless the cells are not balanced or DJI GO prompts you to do so.

I wish there was a way to check the battery to see what the level is at any time without having to plug it into the Phantom and set it all up

When the battery is turned off, press the battery button once to see the current charge level.

 

[Matchlock]

Why do you need to get the battery down to this level?
Doesn't DJI Recommend that after 20 charges, the battery should be discharged to slightly less than 8%, as in the manual?

Yes, but there is need to cycle your battery unless the cells are not balanced or DJI GO prompts you to do so.
As I mentioned, the manual states that we should lower the charge to slightly less than 8% after 20 charges.

When the battery is turned off, press the battery button once to see the current charge level.
Yes, but that's just a relative look. It doesn't tell you at what percentage the battery is at.

I'm fairly new at this (June 2016) and I just want to look after my batteries properly and according to DJI's recommendations.

Bud

View attachment 69129

 

[msinger]

DJI no longer recommends cycling the batteries every 20 charges.

 

[WayneMHK]

DJI no longer recommends cycling the batteries every 20 charges.

Is there an explanation for the change in their recommendations?

 

[Matchlock]

Thank you very much for that information. It really is nice to have people like you up here to help us less (in-the-know) folks.

Do you know why they've changed this protocol?

Thanks so much.

Bud

DJI no longer recommends cycling the batteries every 20 charges.

 

[msinger]

Is there an explanation for the change in their recommendations?

I've never seen one. I'm assuming they found it was not necessary.

 

[Matchlock]

Ok, thank you, I guess a note to DJI is in order then.

Regards

Bud

I've never seen one. I'm assuming they found it was not necessary.

 

[Matchlock]

For all of you that are still unsure if you need to cycle your battery down to 8% after 20 charges. I wrote to DJI directly and this is what they replied.

Albert B (DJI)

Nov 23, 09:58 HKT

Dear Bud,

Thank you for contacting DJI Customer Support.

We appreciate you bringing to our attention your need for information on how to properly charge your batteries for your Phantom 3 Professional.

As we consult our product specialist, it is normal for you to follow the 8% discharge after every 20 charges of the battery.
Please follow other information to safety use of your battery on this link, http://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/phantom_3/en/Phantom_3_Intelligent_Flight_Battery_Safety_Guidelines__en.pdf.

Thank you for choosing DJI. Happy to serve you today, have a good one!


Best Regards,

Albert

DJI NA TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Tel Support: +1(818)235 0789 / Mon-Fri 7:00AM-5:00PM(PST)
Online Support: http://www.dji.com/support#after

 

[Mark The Droner]

"I'm not disillusioned. No, I'm not disillusioned. I'm not disillusioned, but I'm gettin' there..." -Mose Allison

 

[solentlife]

I use one but it doesn't look quite like that. Mine has a lamp on it that gets very bright and is what discharges the battery. I don't see a lamp on the one you are showing, so I don't know how it discharges or whether it discharges safely. But I can tell you mine is relatively safe - you just have to be sure the lamp is not touching anything flammable because it gets very hot.

Yours is the TELESIN unit ... USB socket for lamp or you can charge mobile phone / tablet etc. by the discharge.

Very good units and much better than the module OP shows.

Nigel

 

[solentlife]

DJI no longer recommends cycling the batteries every 20 charges.

This needs to be SHOUTED ON HIGH !!

Thank you !

Nigel