Batteries loosing charge while not used

[stardustalain]

I have noticed my batteries are loosing charge while not used.

I charge my batteries and remote full after each use and found out that on the next trip the batteries are not fully charged. I would expect a lose over long period of time but not over a week. Any similar issues or recommendations?

 

[calmar81]

I think that's absolutely normal with these "intelligent flight batteries". They are intended to discharge to ensure a longer battery lifetime. I don't know exactly where, but I'm quite sure that I saw an option somewhere, where you could adjust the time, when the battery starts to discharge.

 

[Meta4]

I have noticed my batteries are loosing charge while not used.
I charge my batteries and remote full after each use and found out that on the next trip the batteries are not fully charged. I would expect a lose over long period of time but not over a week. Any similar issues or recommendations?

That's what they are programmed to do.
It's bad for batteries to be left fully charged.
The batteries will discharge to around 50% (storage level) if unused for 10 days to prevent damage.
Never try to launch with a battery that has been sitting around discharging.
The battery % indicator will give a false reading and you risk a fall-from-the-sky incident.

 

[stardustalain]

Thank you guys for these explainations. Much appreciated.

 

[4wd]

They go down slightly before the official slow discharge starts.
If you need close to 100% you can usually boost them by turning the battery on while connected to charger.
It's probably not a good idea to do this frequently.
Ten days until discharge is rather longer than ideal so not a bad idea to try to part use them before any anticipated period without being used.

Previously you could set any number of days (up to ten) in the app but it has been removed.
Perhaps they hope for increased battery sales after a few months.

 

[Sawadee]

So much that was has been removed in the M2P. Hope DJI gets the message that some are unhappy with so many previous functions now not available...

 

[NorthGADronePilot]

Unfortunately, they couldn't possibly care less. They are selling these birds faster than hotcakes without the features. DJI execs see no need to add to their costs when lemmings like us will buy anything they put on the market.

 

[SteveCA]

10 days is way too long for optimal battery health. I never charge until the day I plan on using the drone. If i fly below 40 % I throw them on the charger for 10-15 minutes before storing, but never to 100%. Lithium batteries degrade fast when left at 100% for extended periods of time.

 

[lolo780]

If the batteries are being stored until the next trip, charge them to 2.5 lights (3rd light blinking) and leave in a cool spot. Never leave them 100% charged for the full 10 days.

 

[pbj_dk]

- Batteries?
As an IT specialist dealing with laptops and various mobile eq, I have a lot of experience with LiPo batteries. The first time you charge them a clock starts ticking. Every charge "kills" a little of the battery's capacity (very little but...) - so the trick is to charge them as few times as possible and as efficient as possible. - and know how to properly maintain you batteries for long life and safety.
Charge everything up JUST BEFORE flying – not days in advance to keep them at max: Charge, the use them as quickly as possible after.
Don’t discharge them below 20% if possible (deep charging from less stresses a LiPo battery's cells and chemistry and kills max charging cycles= shorter lifespan).
Do not charge them directly after flight or hot (eg if left in the car/sunlight). Let them cool off to room temperature first.
Do not charge them after flight just for storage, if you don’t plan to fly more that day. Leave them at the current charge. By doing so, you will charge them more effecient, then "topping up" just before flying.
LiPo batteries are best stored at max 50% or less charge for safety. Don't worry, these intelligent batteries will make sure you never pass the critical line where the cells collapses. Infact set your automatic discharge no of days to 5 rather then 10 days in the battery menu for each one, so the you make sure, they discharge if you come home with a full one. Same goes for taking your batteries on an airplane – never more the max 50% so the current have somewhere to go if that battery malfunctions during storage eg due to short-circuit, liquid, moisture etc.
Never charge LiPo batteries unattended. These flying batteries are high voltage (typical 15-18V) and the chemicals inside can burn at up to 7-800 Celsius. You really can’t stop a LiPo battery burn out not even with water or foam. In the event of a burn- throw the burning battery outside with a shovel (or anything metal - DON NOT TOUCH!) on the lawn and let it burn out.
Check that connectors are clean and that there are no cracks in or deformations of the battery case. Check for leaks (green/blue fluid).
Never fly with a broken swollen battery: It's neither safe nor worth it. ;-)
PS - pardon my English - I'm from Denmark.

 

[DanMan32]

I've not had a problem with my P3 charging soon after flight and flying into teens %. At first I was keeping my P3 in the car trunk so I could fly whenever I had the notion but I worked near TIA airport so that wasn't practical anyway. If I didn't fly for over 10 days, so be it, it will go down to about 60%. If I might fly soon, then I'd recharge to 100%.
Once i went down to about 2.8v/battery testing shutdown which never happened so I stopped there and immediately charged. That might have taken a small hit on its health, as well as having kept it in the car. All the other babying I believe is unnecessary. Maybe you'll gain 10% life out of it doing so, but not worth the aggravation doing so. Remember, 10% DJI scale is not 10% absolute charge scale. There's plenty of margin already built in.

Now I have experienced shorter lipo life keeping a constant charge but modern systems don't do that anymore, where they leave at least 5% hysteresis but DJI doesn't even do that. Once charged, it's off charge until you disconnect/reconnect charge power.
Just be reasonable and enjoy.

 

[stardustalain]

- Batteries?
As an IT specialist dealing with laptops and various mobile eq, I have a lot of experience with LiPo batteries. The first time you charge them a clock starts ticking. Every charge "kills" a little of the battery's capacity (very little but...) - so the trick is to charge them as few times as possible and as efficient as possible. - and know how to properly maintain you batteries for long life and safety.
Charge everything up JUST BEFORE flying – not days in advance to keep them at max: Charge, the use them as quickly as possible after.
Don’t discharge them below 20% if possible (deep charging from less stresses a LiPo battery's cells and chemistry and kills max charging cycles= shorter lifespan).
Do not charge them directly after flight or hot (eg if left in the car/sunlight). Let them cool off to room temperature first.
Do not charge them after flight just for storage, if you don’t plan to fly more that day. Leave them at the current charge. By doing so, you will charge them more effecient, then "topping up" just before flying.
LiPo batteries are best stored at max 50% or less charge for safety. Don't worry, these intelligent batteries will make sure you never pass the critical line where the cells collapses. Infact set your automatic discharge no of days to 5 rather then 10 days in the battery menu for each one, so the you make sure, they discharge if you come home with a full one. Same goes for taking your batteries on an airplane – never more the max 50% so the current have somewhere to go if that battery malfunctions during storage eg due to short-circuit, liquid, moisture etc.
Never charge LiPo batteries unattended. These flying batteries are high voltage (typical 15-18V) and the chemicals inside can burn at up to 7-800 Celsius. You really can’t stop a LiPo battery burn out not even with water or foam. In the event of a burn- throw the burning battery outside with a shovel (or anything metal - DON NOT TOUCH!) on the lawn and let it burn out.
Check that connectors are clean and that there are no cracks in or deformations of the battery case. Check for leaks (green/blue fluid).
Never fly with a broken swollen battery: It's neither safe nor worth it. ;-)
PS - pardon my English - I'm from Denmark.

Thank you for that very detailed explain action. It is much appreciated and the English is fine