Is the cold destroying your batteries? Here's how to avoid it

Your drone was tucked deep after summer flights? Maybe you are just pulling it out, planning to catch some winter shots? Before you decide to take off, it is worth considering how to prepare your equipment for winter conditions. One of the key components you need to take care of is the battery - the heart of any drone.

At low temperatures, as well as after prolonged interruption of use, batteries can lose performance or become damaged if not stored and used properly. In this article we explain how to prepare batteries for winter conditions. You will learn how to store and use them, as well as what to pay attention to in order to avoid damage.

How to use batteries correctly in winter?

Low temperatures are a real challenge for batteries. Here's our advice on what to do to make them as efficient as possible:

1. Warm up batteries before use - In winter batteries work best when they reach room temperature. Models such as DJI Mavic 3 have built-in heating systems, which eliminates this problem. For other drones, it's best to keep the batteries at home, rather than in a garage or car, for example, where colder conditions prevail. If the temperature is too low, don't start right away, just let the battery warm up. Before the flight, you can also keep the battery in the inside of your jacket to warm it with your body.

2. Charge lightly in advance - It is best to charge the batteries at 1-2 days before the flight, and not a week in advance. This avoids over-discharge or loss of energy.

3. Make sure the battery is plugged in correctly - This step may seem trivial, but more than once on the our service hit drones that crashed due to improper battery connection by the user. Before the flight, start the controller and then carefully place the battery in the drone, making sure it contacts perfectly (you will see it by the casing). Then launch the drone.

4. Pay special attention - Try not to fly too rapidly to reduce excessive battery output consumption. Keep an eye on the battery temperature and take appropriate countermeasures. If DJI GO or DJI Fly app signals low battery - land as soon as possible. If the app warns you that "battery cells are abnormal or damaged" stop using that battery.

5. Correctly turn off the power - After the flight, first of all, turn off the drone's power supply, then remove the battery. Only then turn off the controller. Never nand remove the battery while it is on.

How to store batteries in winter?

Taking care of off-flight batteries is as important as using them. Here are some rules of thumb to ensure their maximum lifespan:

• Optimum storage temperature - Store the batteries in a dry place with a temperature between 18°C to 26°C. Extreme temperatures, both too low and too high, can damage the cells.
• Proper storage voltage - If you know that you will not use the batteries for a long time, discharge them to about 40-65% of capacity. Storing fully charged or overly discharged batteries will reduce their lifespan. It is particularly dangerous to discharge for too long. Charge them every 3 months or so to avoid battery "death".
• Protect your batteries from damage - When transporting, use special bags LiPo Bag. They are made of a special material that protects the batteries from impacts, but also prevents the risk of fire in case of failure.
• Automatic functions - Some batteries DJI have self-discharge and heating functions. This solution minimizes the risk of damaging them.
• Keep the battery away from metal objects - If a metal object gets into the battery pin, a short circuit will occur and the battery will first start to heat up and then smoke. In this section, we will also add to avoid such obviousness as contact with liquids.
• High temperatures - If you fly in places where the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, pay attention to the battery temperature. If the temperature exceeds 65 degrees, reduce the flight altitude. If it is higher than 70 degrees, it can catch fire and even explode. For batteries DJI you will receive a warning in the app.

Can the battery freeze?

Not. Although LiPo batteries do not technically freeze, low temperatures (below 0°C) significantly reduce their performance. In such conditions, the battery can lose up to half of its capacity. As we wrote above, store them at room temperature. In addition don't charge cold batteries - Always warm them up to room temperature before charging them. Charging in a chilled state may permanently damage the cells or make charging impossible.

Safe battery charging

Charging process is key to keeping batteries in good shape. To avoid problems uuse original chargers - Batteries DJI are best charged with the manufacturer's dedicated chargers. Using substitutes can lead to damage. Another factor is proper temperature - When charging, maintain the temperature 5-40°C.

How to check if the battery is defective?

Battery problems can manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Here are some tips on how to identify battery problems:

• Use the manufacturer's application - Many modern drones (e.g., DJI) allow you to monitor the status of the battery via an app. When you connect the drone with the controller, you will find information about voltage, temperature and any errors (in the picture above everything is correct).
• Check the physical condition of the battery - Make sure the housing is not damaged, swollen neither bruised. Any visible damage may indicate that the battery needs to be replaced.
• Voltage measurement - After the flight and before the next one, check the voltages on each cell. If one of them significantly deviates from the others, the battery may need to be replaced.
• Pay attention to application warnings - If the application displays a message about invalid cells, stop using the battery. Problems such as "overcurrent during discharge" or "low discharging temperature" may be indicative of a fault.

Repair or purchase a new battery?

Unfortunately, LiPo battery repair is usually impossible without access to advanced factory equipment. In case of mechanical or chemical damage, it is recommended to purchase new battery. In some situations it is possible to repair electronic problems, but this is rare and requires specialized knowledge. If you have questions direct them to of our service.

What else you should know about using batteries in winter?

• Take care of battery temperatures during flights - Before replacing the battery, make sure the new one is warmed up. Put it in the drone and start flying right away. Waiting for takeoff can reduce productivity.
• Heating in your pocket - If you are carrying batteries, keep them in a pocket or other warm place to maintain the right temperature before use.

The most common questions about batteries

1. Why the drone does not start when the battery is connected?

It is possible that the battery is inaccurately connected. See if the battery is properly connected to the drone.

2. Why DJI GO app shows battery warning when drone is running?

Most often, this means that the battery is inaccurately connected. Check that the battery is properly connected to the drone.

3. What are the most common battery warnings? How to fix them?

"Overcurrent during discharge" (Excess current during discharge) - Overload during discharge; discharge current exceeds maximum battery discharge capacity. Try not to exceed the limits of the drone.

"High discharging temperature" (High discharge temperature)- Battery temperature is too high. The drone will automatically reduce its power to ensure its efficiency.

"Low discharging temperature" (Low discharge temperature)- battery temperature is too low. It is necessary to land. Incorrect or damaged battery cells. Please do not use the battery.

4. Why I should warm up the battery before using it in the winter period?

Due to the limitation of the chemical structure of the lithium battery, when the battery temperature is too low, the performance of the battery will be significantly reduced. Keep a close eye on battery temperature conditions. Also, the mobile device may turn off accidentally when the ambient temperature is too low.

5. Is it normal for the battery to be swollen?

No, if the battery is not charged properly (abnormal voltage or short-circuit occurs when batteries are used with a charger other than DJI) or is affected by ambient temperature, external forces, etc., Batteries may swell or even spontaneously catch fire or explode. Stop using the spilled battery and dispose of it or file a claim.

6. Why the battery won't charge after long storage time?

If the battery is critically low and it has been unused for a long time, hibernation mode may be activated. Try charging the battery to wake it up. If it continues to fail after charging, the battery may be damaged due to over-discharge.

Summary

Proper use and storage of LiPo batteries in winter can not only prolong their life, but also avoid performance problems during flights. Taking care of the right temperature, charging ahead of time and checking the condition regularly are key to success. Remember, investing in a new battery is always better than risking equipment damage or an accident.