DJI no longer sells replacement batteries for the Phantom 4

[Rusty Canuck]

DJI no longer sells replacement batteries and there pushed a software upgrade that won’t allow the use of after market batteries. Both of my batteries are dead and DJI says they no longer support the Phantom 4.
I have a newer AVATA FPV but it’s not as stable in the high winds we get where I live by the ocean. So, unless I can find a way to defeat the last update, my P4 is a paperweight. Any other suggestions?
Rusty in PEI

 

[captainmilehigh]

Maybe I missed something, but I've never heard of a DJI firmware update preventing the use of aftermarket batteries.

**Can you document the source of this information? I think the PhantomPilots Forum community would be greatly interested in this issue.**

There ARE aftermarket batteries that are so poorly made, that they cause major issues when used in DJI drones.

Since most of the original DJI OEM batteries for earlier Phantom versions are now nearing their life expectancy limits, aftermarket batteries from reputable manufacturers (such as ExpertPower) are becoming more common.

If it is a firmware update that caused this issue, you can always downgrade your current firmware to an earlier version.

 

[Starz]

Firmware that determines battery manufacturer?????
Firmware version please?????

 

[sansuciboy1]

Yes I saw a p4 for sale and they downloaded the latest firmware for it in May I think and they said afterwards it wouldn't take aftermarket batts.

 

[sansuciboy1]

Yes I saw a p4 for sale and they downloaded the latest firmware for it in May I think and they said afterwards it wouldn't take aftermarket batts.

Not may !! Oops right before the cut off this year sorry my bad .

 

[Capt KO]

The Phantom 4 Pro batteries work on all the P4 series and have been the better choice for years. More power and still available at times, the aftermarket batts do work but usually not as as long as DJI. The few I've tried all died early but always checking cell strength before flight will avoid failure in flight.
Ps; The last P4 (v1) firmware was 2018 and doesn't block off brand batteries.

 

[Capt KO]

Yes I saw a p4 for sale and they downloaded the latest firmware for it in May I think and they said afterwards it wouldn't take aftermarket batts.

Doubt it was official DJI firmware, there's some bogus aftermarket FW out there.

 

[sansuciboy1]

Doubt it was official DJI firmware, there's some bogus aftermarket FW out there.

Ic thanks for heads up.

 

[Carlos S.]

I have the phantom 4 standard, and the last firmware was in 2019.06.18
Version: v02.00.0810
And this firmware doesn’t affect the some popular issue like ( battery authentication failed) and the drone cannot take off. But if shows in some generic battery, can fixed the issue at the beginning.
Recently I get some generic batteries from Amazon and generic from AliExpress. Batteries Pro version, high capacity 5870 mAh and I used now 5 times without any problems. And the flight times are similar in both batteries. Very calibrated and the drain very stable without any peaks. Like new batteries, at the beginning, hover the drone to checking drain levels with AirData app, and discharges up to 40%. to activate the batteries. And after 5 flights the average information are very positive and very similar with original batteries that also I compared. The RTK version still on the market. So you can still find original and generic batteries, with recently manufactured dates like 2024.

 

[Carlos S.]

DJI no longer sells replacement batteries and there pushed a software upgrade that won’t allow the use of after market batteries. Both of my batteries are dead and DJI says they no longer support the Phantom 4.
I have a newer AVATA FPV but it’s not as stable in the high winds we get where I live by the ocean. So, unless I can find a way to defeat the last update, my P4 is a paperweight. Any other suggestions?
Rusty in PEI

I found on internet DJI premier authorized sales and service center based in NYC. They have available OEM batteries for P4. (DJI Authorized Retail Store)

 

[sansuciboy1]

I found on internet DJI premier authorized sales and service center based in NYC. They have available OEM batteries for P4. (DJI Authorized Retail Store)

Where is this place it only says new York in the city out skirts does it have a name ?

 

[sansuciboy1]

I have the phantom 4 standard, and the last firmware was in 2019.06.18
Version: v02.00.0810
And this firmware doesn’t affect the some popular issue like ( battery authentication failed) and the drone cannot take off. But if shows in some generic battery, can fixed the issue at the beginning.
Recently I get some generic batteries from Amazon and generic from AliExpress. Batteries Pro version, high capacity 5870 mAh and I used now 5 times without any problems. And the flight times are similar in both batteries. Very calibrated and the drain very stable without any peaks. Like new batteries, at the beginning, hover the drone to checking drain levels with AirData app, and discharges up to 40%. to activate the batteries. And after 5 flights the average information are very positive and very similar with original batteries that also I compared. The RTK version still on the market. So you can still find original and generic batteries, with recently manufactured dates like 2024.

That's cool , I'm trying some generic ones I just got indoors so far so good I got them from expert power as recommended above, little more money than Ali ex. But no issues so far I'll keep everyone updated when I fly outside drain and so on. P.s. they took exactly the same time as original Batts. Cheers

 

[Carlos S.]

Where is this place it only says new York in the city out skirts does it have a name ?

DJI premier authorized sales and service center based in NYC. email us directly to [email protected] or call us 212-333-3150. 685 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10022. DJI STORE IN NEW YORK

Camrise DJI Drones Service, Drone Accessories & Parts, Drones For Sale

Professional DJI drone service, drone accessories & parts, cameras & stabilization systems. DJI premier authorized sales & service center based in NYC.

djinyc.com

 

[waterwin]

Interesting but !
DJI does not sell Phantom 4 batteries in their webshop in EU (I am in France and tried Netherlands and Belgium as well). I have 1 non DJI battery from Amazon sold als Intelligent Flight Battery for DJI Phantom 4. And a good after market brand (1 week old battery with the same designation from 123accu.nl). I have been flying these almost every day next to my genuine Obsidian DJI battery. Almost without any issues. The Amazon one sometimes tells me 'battery communication error' right after landing. My last flights without battery issues have been yesterday evening. I flew with all 3.

This morning I did my first flight with the white Amazon battery. No issues. After landing a bunch of DJI messages that there was a communication error and the battery is not a DJI one etc. Drone (Phantom 4 Pro) refused to lift off. Tried the obsidian DJI battery, no issues. Tried the week old black battery non-DJI, at the end of the flight that had no issues as always, after landing, a bunch of DJI complaints about the battery maybe not being original etc.

The only thing different this time ? I did a compass calibration (from the Litchi app).
I tried a flight with DJI Go4 instead of Litchi and I had the same issues.

So DJI leaves the US and grounds all old drones in other countries as a repercussion ? Well, maybe not.

But still, in EU it is not correct for a OEM to kill the use of their equipment based on using non-OEM supplies, especially when these OEM supplies are not being sold anymore.

Assistant 2 and DJI Go4 app did not do any updates, as there is no newer firmware than already in the drone and the controller. Assistant 2 does not complain about anything when downloading the flight logs or other data.

I have now cleaned all contacts, batteries and inside the drone, with high quality chemistry normally used for high-end audio and valve based equipment Deoxit D5 and Deoxit Gold.

tbc

 

[Carlos S.]

Interesting but !
DJI does not sell Phantom 4 batteries in their webshop in EU (I am in France and tried Netherlands and Belgium as well). I have 1 non DJI battery from Amazon sold als Intelligent Flight Battery for DJI Phantom 4. And a good after market brand (1 week old battery with the same designation from 123accu.nl). I have been flying these almost every day next to my genuine Obsidian DJI battery. Almost without any issues. The Amazon one sometimes tells me 'battery communication error' right after landing. My last flights without battery issues have been yesterday evening. I flew with all 3.

This morning I did my first flight with the white Amazon battery. No issues. After landing a bunch of DJI messages that there was a communication error and the battery is not a DJI one etc. Drone (Phantom 4 Pro) refused to lift off. Tried the obsidian DJI battery, no issues. Tried the week old black battery non-DJI, at the end of the flight that had no issues as always, after landing, a bunch of DJI complaints about the battery maybe not being original etc.

The only thing different this time ? I did a compass calibration (from the Litchi app).
I tried a flight with DJI Go4 instead of Litchi and I had the same issues.

So DJI leaves the US and grounds all old drones in other countries as a repercussion ? Well, maybe not.

But still, in EU it is not correct for a OEM to kill the use of their equipment based on using non-OEM supplies, especially when these OEM supplies are not being sold anymore.

Assistant 2 and DJI Go4 app did not do any updates, as there is no newer firmware than already in the drone and the controller. Assistant 2 does not complain about anything when downloading the flight logs or other data.

I have now cleaned all contacts, batteries and inside the drone, with high quality chemistry normally used for high-end audio and valve based equipment Deoxit D5 and Deoxit Gold.

tbc

Hello. Waterwin. Amazon still has OEM DJI batteries, China still has some DJI original batteries and also some stores in US, DJI authorized sellers. Just to know that you have to pay an extra price compared a generic batteries, but you can still find a good generic and original DJI batteries on the market. Because the Phantom 4 RTK still on the market and use the same battery. Check the app Airdata to check better how works inside the 4 cells of the batteries and check notifications of the drone when it’s on the air. Have a safety flight

 

[waterwin]

Sorry Carlos, I wish it were true but it isn't.
Amazon does not have DJI ORIGINAL batteries in stock on Amazon. The last 2 they were showing this morning for 156,-- Euro's each are not visible anymore. All kinds of fantasy brandnames pop up but not DJI.
Also, DJI in EUROPE does not offer any kind of Phantom 4 or Phantom 4 RTK accessories in their webstore. At least not when you try to do a webstore search for these items. If you have a link that works and goes to the right product, please show, any help is highly appreciated!
Ordering in China does not make a lot of sense, and ordering in the US will add 20% extra tax, extra shipping and extra customs cost to an already rather expensive item, so not a serious option either.

For data research on the batteries, please see my other post, I am doing some extensive analysis based on Airdata and other information from the flight records of my three batteries. So far, all three were working well, as long as DJI is not preventing them from it that is.

 

[Carlos S.]

Sorry Carlos, I wish it were true but it isn't.
Amazon does not have DJI ORIGINAL batteries in stock on Amazon. The last 2 they were showing this morning for 156,-- Euro's each are not visible anymore. All kinds of fantasy brandnames pop up but not DJI.
Also, DJI in EUROPE does not offer any kind of Phantom 4 or Phantom 4 RTK accessories in their webstore. At least not when you try to do a webstore search for these items. If you have a link that works and goes to the right product, please show, any help is highly appreciated!
Ordering in China does not make a lot of sense, and ordering in the US will add 20% extra tax, extra shipping and extra customs cost to an already rather expensive item, so not a serious option either.

For data research on the batteries, please see my other post, I am doing some extensive analysis based on Airdata and other information from the flight records of my three batteries. So far, all three were working well, as long as DJI is not preventing them from it that is.

I understand my friend, I looked Amazon from US, DJI dealers in US. But never looked sellers in Europe, sorry about this. But if you need OEM DJI batteries for your phantom. Maybe you can open more your research and compare options and balance the cost of the original battery and delivery to Europe. Maybe another countries from Europe to look for. If not, you can check the prices from China or US to you. Good luck in your research