Aftermarket Batteries

[rexster1505]

When I bought my Mavic 3 Classic several months ago, I bought 2 aftermarket batteries that worked great. Same volts, amps, everything. I updated to the latest firmware a couple of days ago, and now I get a red warning on the controller "Non DJI Battery" and can't take off. Seems like DJI is going the way of printers, some needing factory inks for the printer to work..

 

[djiuser12345]

I‘m pretty sure its the same statement as with printers to only use original accessories printed in the manual of your drone.

Difference is that a printer does not crash onto people or animals with a defect toner

 

[Felix le Chat]

I feel for you... seems like a pretty compelling argument against upgrading to the latest firmware before waiting to see if anyone else finds out about unwelcome alterations. Luckily: both my older birds were fully tricked out with features by 2020 and the firmware release notes for the mini 3 pro don't show anything in the pipeline to genuinely enhance its functionality, so the 'updates' can stay exactly where they are.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

ditto mini 4 pro Unable to take off on third party battery

 

[3rdof5]

Good to know, I could use aftermarket batteries with my Phantom 3, but I didn't know the newer models prevented that.

 

[Starz]

I updated to the latest firmware

There’s the rub.

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

I updated to the latest firmware a couple of days ago, and now I get a red warning on the controller "Non DJI Battery" and can't take off.

From what version of firmware did you update and to what version did it update ? The latter will be out of date fairly soon so the version number might be a useful reference for someone else.

 

[Oldwest2]

I only have DJI batteries for my M2P, no aftermarket purchased batteries as of yet, this is something good to know & think about, not sure if this is or will be an issue in the near future on all dji drones.

 

[IronSky1]

To much risk to save few bucks. I always prefer OEM batteries or props. With the amount of money invested in Mavic 3 not a wise decision.

 

[rexster1505]

For the naysayers, I've been using the aftermarket battery since purchasing in April with absolutely NO issues. Same power, same volts, couldn't tell the difference except no little DJI marker on the battery. I felt as safe as if using a DJI battery

 

[Droning on and on...]

For the naysayers, I've been using the aftermarket battery since purchasing in April with absolutely NO issues. Same power, same volts, couldn't tell the difference except no little DJI marker on the battery. I felt as safe as if using a DJI battery

I wouldn't unless I knew the manufacturer and part number of the cells used, and could verify to my satisfaction they matched cells as part of their manufacturing process.

Because of the safety issue with drones, the quality of the battery module is important.

I'm comfortable with additional risk using a cheap, third-party battery in my cordless drill. Not in a drone.

 

[Starz]

Not in a drone

Key words.

 

[IronSky1]

The other issue is the 3rd party has no control over what DJI does firmware wise. If they change what's allowed be prepared to pitch battery.

 

[3rdof5]

A couple of points, I would always use OEM batteries when available for 2 reasons: 1 they will be guaranteed compatible and 2 if a battery related crash occurs DJI will cover it.
However, in the case of my P3P, which I purchased refurbished from DJI in 2018 (late in the P3's life) it only came with 1 OEM battery and shortly after that OEM batteries were no longer available. My only choice was aftermarket batteries and none of them had issues. Same flight time and behavior.

 

[Droning on and on...]

@3rdof5, if that's the only option, I'd take the risk too – and relegate that drone to only flights where no living creature is at risk at all.

Facing that problem right now. Pulled out the P4 after years in storage, all battery modules are responsive but will not charge. Gonna find one battery out there, try for a used OEM battery first, so I can fly it again. I will buy an aftermarket if I have to.

That was my first drone. Lots of memories. Did a ton of repair on it, including gimbal repairs.

 

[Riteguy]

I‘m pretty sure its the same statement as with printers to only use original accessories printed in the manual of your drone.

Difference is that a printer does not crash onto people or animals with a defect toner

I've flown after market batteries in my Mavic Pro and had great luck with them. For DJI to limit flying to DJI batteries is selfish and unwarranted. I have crashed my Mavic because of a swollen DJI battery.

 

[mavic3usa]

I've flown after market batteries in my Mavic Pro and had great luck with them. For DJI to limit flying to DJI batteries is selfish and unwarranted. I have crashed my Mavic because of a swollen DJI battery.

They won't do it purposely but I can see them doing it inadvertently but not very often. The idea that a manufacturer would block aftermarket batteries in order to drive sales of their own overpriced batteries is mostly a myth. If you find a bona fide company doing that, it's probably because their product teams subscribe to internet lore and their marketing teams are pretenders.

 

[ip_droning]

Good to know, I could use aftermarket batteries with my Phantom 3, but I didn't know the newer models prevented that.

I've actually switched my 3D-printed arducopter project to Phantom 3 batteries, because (the knock-offs or second hand ones) are about half the price of the standard 4S 4500mA hobby battery And it's tidier to slot the battery in, then fluff around with velcro straps and connectors.

 

[cms1172]

Have to ask the real question. Who makes batteries for DJI?
Do they make their own?
If you look into the manufacturing model, specs are usually given to a 3rd party. Then the bid goes out for who can make them cheapest and to spec.
Some 3rd party parts can be made better than OEM, just because of bidding process.
A good battery manufacturer, who supplies multiple companies, could have a better QC than an OEM just because, that's what they do in the marketplace.
I am not condoning aftermarket, but no condemning either.

 

[Droning on and on...]

I expect DJI is using generally available, off-the-shelf cells.

There's no need to custom spec them, there's virtually anything you might need in terms of form-factor, performance, quality already available.