10 Facts You Need to Know About FPV Drone Battery

In this blog post, we discuss 10 things you need to know about your drone battery because you don’t want any surprises.

1. Battery warning and adjustment

First off, at number ten, let’s talk about a hidden nuance. You probably already know that when your drone battery is low, it will begin to beep, which can stress out a lot of pilots. However, one important thing to note is that your drone will adjust depending on how fast you’re flying.

So, for example, if you’re flying your drone fast in sport mode, your drone will assume you will complete your entire flight in sport mode.

Therefore, what’s considered low battery and when it starts to beep will adjust based on how fast you’re flying and how quickly it thinks it will run out of batteries.

2. Critical battery stage

Number nine drops us into the crucial battery stage, an unfamiliar territory for many.

At the low battery, the ‘return to home’ function will activate, paired with an incessant beep that might grate your nerves. But when it’s critical battery – I’m talking about being in the red – your drone will start to auto-land.

Many pilots don’t know that you can continue pressing the left stick up to keep the drone from landing. It won’t stop it entirely, but it will slow the process.

In other words, your drone is coming down, but you’re fighting against it and trying to keep it in the air. Again, it will land, but it will at least slow the process.

If you’re on critical battery and it’s about to run out any moment, look, it’s red at 12 percent low battery landing, so it will just land in its current location.

3. Impact of temperature on battery life

At number eight, let’s talk about the weather. Just like how you might feel drained in extreme temperatures, your drone battery also suffers.

If you’re flying in the heat, like I was in the Bahamas, or the cold like I was in the mountains of Salt Lake City, Utah, your drone battery will drain faster. It does not perform as well in hot and cold environments as in regular environments.

4. Avoid battery swelling

Number seven’s a big one: don’t let that battery get fat.

In other words, if you’re in the heat a lot, it’s important to ensure your drone and its battery aren’t constantly exposed to high heat.

What happens? Your drone battery will become swollen. If it gets too fat, it won’t fit into your drone anymore, and I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve had where the battery comes out of the drone while they are flying because it is swollen and doesn’t fit anymore.

When your drone no longer has a battery, it’s no longer flying, and I hope it’s somewhere retrievable where you can grab it and not over the ocean.

So, always keep your drone and battery cool so they don’t end up like an over-stuffed suitcase.

5. Ensuring proper battery placement

Related to number seven is number six: always make that ‘click’ sound when placing the battery in your drone.

It’s a satisfying sound that ensures a secure fit. No one wants an unexpected disconnection during flight, so treat that click like a handshake between you and your drone.

6. Traveling with drone batteries

Number five offers two golden rules for those on the go. If you plan to take your drone on a plane, carry it with the battery inside.

For added security, consider using a LiPo bag to contain the batteries. If something happens to your drone battery, such as it explodes or catches fire, this bag will help to contain that and keep it safe, although not usable anymore.

If you’re checking your drone with luggage, follow this travel-friendly guide: drone and one battery in a sturdy case, spare batteries in the carry-on.

7. Avoiding full charge before travel

At number four, I have a travel tip: don’t charge your batteries to the brim.

It’s a best practice to avoid traveling with fully charged drone batteries. Instead, plan your flights with empty batteries and charge them once you reach your destination. This practice helps prevent potential hazards during travel and ensures the batteries are in good condition.

8. Investing in flying more combos

Number three is for those who are serious about flying: invest in DJI’s Fly More combos. Spare batteries are not cheap, and it varies by the drone that you have. Examples would be the Mavic Air 2S battery, shared with the Mavic Air 2, which is around $100.

This combo is like buying in bulk – smart and economical.

9. Patience with charging time

Number two is a lesson in patience.

Drone batteries take about 60 to 90 minutes to charge fully. It’s like waiting for bread to rise; it can’t be rushed. Be patient during this process and plan accordingly, especially if you have limited time for flying. Always ensure your batteries are charged and ready before heading out for a flight.

10. Cooling down before charging

Finally, number one unravels a mystery for new pilots.

If your drone battery is hot and you place it on the charger, it will wait to cool down before charging. Especially if you’ve gone and flown somewhere that’s already hot; it might take even longer for your battery to cool down and start charging.

So, expect a slightly longer charging time if you’ve been flying in hot weather.

FAQ

Final words

Those were the 10 electrifying facts about your drone battery. Follow safety guidelines and manufacturer recommendations to keep your drone flying high and mighty.

Happy flying!