How do I store the Lipo batteries? Full charge, Empty charge,etc.?

[miogpsrocks]

How do I store the Lipo batteries? Full charge, Empty charge,etc.?

I know you don't want to overcharge then or allow them to discharge but how are you suppose to store them? Just charge to 100% and then store them in a cold dark place?

Thanks.

 

[Fly Dawg]

Store your batteries between 40-60% charge for best longevity. Lipo's do not like full charge, or less than 40% or so. I have batteries over two years old maintained this way and still show no sign's of degregation. ( Knock on wood). Check them every month if you don't fly often, but remember when you do that, it resets the auto discharge timer.

 

[miogpsrocks]

Store your batteries between 40-60% charge for best longevity. Lipo's do not like full charge, or less than 40% or so. I have batteries over two years old maintained this way and still show no sign's of degregation. ( Knock on wood). Check them every month if you don't fly often, but remember when you do that, it resets the auto discharge timer.

Does DJI tell you to do this in the manual or is this kind of common knowledge?

What is the "auto discharge timer"

Thanks.

 

[Fly Dawg]

The auto discharge timer is built in to the battery. You have options in the app to set this to the #of days before discharge begins. As for the Li-Po's. Yes, DJI does recommend the battery storage levels. Each flyer has a different set of circumstances that may change this depending on how often you fly and other factors. The timer will discharge the battery to a safe storage level over a few days, however you cannot leave this alone for many weeks afterwards. The battery will continue a much lower discharge than the auto-discharge. Too low a storage voltage, or too high ( Long Term) will damage the battery.

 

[Fly Dawg]

See this thread: Battery Storage

 

[solentlife]

I have a Text document that I have for new owners I meet to help them with getting good use out of their P3. I have cut and pasted the battery section here :

Quote :

OK - the most misunderstood aspect of models such as these - Batterys !

a) Never fly with a partial discharged battery.
b) I strongly suggest that the default 10 day discharge setting of GO be changed to 2 - 3 days for start of auto-discharge. This sets battery FW to user setting.
c) Do not deep discharge batterys every 20 flights or so - only do this rarely - as it accumulates damage to a LiPo. Even DJI themselves advise against it now. The claimed re-calibration is purely a mA in vs mA out counter in the battery control board. It can be useful to reset counter occasionally but it does not recover lost battery performance.
d) Try not to fly into the low battery warning zone. I leave my warnings at default - 30% low and 10% critical. I plan to land with about 30 - 35% battery level - which gives me a good storage level to bench my batterys.
e) Resist temptation to keep checking batterys - this resets auto discharge timer.
f) If you plan to not fly for significant period - then charge batterys fully. Place into storage and leave them alone. After a couple of weeks - check levels. If down to 2 led's - then charge again. Let auto discharge do its job. This way you will not enter hibernation mode and have any problems to use batterys months later.
g) A lot of talk about battery temperature - LiPo batterys are fine from 10C upwards. For some reason DJI decided to program the system so that we need to have a 'warm' battery. That is easily accomplished by placing battery inside your coat ... warmed in the car driving to site ... LiPo warming bags ... picnic bags with warmers in ... Many ways to accomplish this. It is a myth that you need to hover the AC if it is cold. If the AC powers up and takes off - that means battery is at working level and will fly. DJI AC do not fall out of sky for this !

Let us move on to after flight.

Batterys warm up when used. So it is good practice to allow the battery to cool before recharging.
Note that being a 4 cell pack and inside a case - the inner cells will take longer to cool down.
If you are not planning on flying for a while - then refer to point f) above. Some will advise charging partially etc. But the easiest and best way is via f). Charge up and let auto-discharge do its work. Note that the LED's are representative of 25% increments .. when flashing 12.5% - this means you are not that sure of what it really means when you see the LED's. BUt if you use the auto discharge system - you then know your batterys are being looked after. You just need to check every week or so.

Summary :
1) Always fly on a fully charged battery and land when your battery level is around 30%.
2) Have auto discharge set to 2 - 3 days maximum and plug in every battery you have to AC to make sure Battery FW is updated to this setting.
2) Let your battery cool down before charging—somewhere around 30 minutes or until it is around room temperature.
3) If you fly and land to 30% - after about one week - charge your battery fully and let auto-discharge do its job to avoid battery entering Hibernation mode. Check each week or so for level and recharge if it falls below 2 LED's and let auto discharge work again.
4) Always top up charge before flight if battery stands for more than one day after charging. Switch on battery - then plug in charger to make sure top-up occurs.

I accept that this may disagree with some peoples views on the matter - but I base my suggestions on many years of LiPo use and a significant period of DJI ownership. My batterys perform ... and keep performing.

I wish all good flights and long battery life.

Nigel

 

[msinger]

Does DJI tell you to do this in the manual or is this kind of common knowledge?

Most of this information can be found in the Phantom Battery Safety Guidelines.