Occasionally, we have members who have crashed their Mavics into the water. We also have members that have crashed their Mavics outside then find them weeks or months later after being exposed to the elements. Some of these owners ask if it's ok to try to start the Mavic after being under water or being exposed to rain. My answer is usually yes, it's ok as long as the battery cells have not been breached by damage and/or the indicator lights still show a charge.
If my Mavic crashed into water or crashed into a tree and I couldnt retrieve it until after a rainstorm, I would not try to turn it on immediately. I would make sure that the integrity of the battery was 100%, no cracks, dents, or moisture inside. In addition, I would let the battery dry out for a few days outside the house, just in case there are fumes coming out that I wasnt aware of. The fumes could possibly be toxic or at the very least be irritating, so no need to take chances.
If any part of the battery is cracked, smells unusual, or is puffed/bloated/distorted, I never use it again. Too many possibilities for problems, and it could pose a hazard to storing it. Best to dispose of it properly instead of risking your drones life, or worse, your health on a $79 part.
Happy holidays.
Rob
P.S. The following is a video of a Youtuber who does experiments with lithium batteries. He is an amateur, and I would never recommend you try this at home. He does point out how volatile lithium strips are after being exposed to water. He is very close to the burning battery which could easily have exploded.
If my Mavic crashed into water or crashed into a tree and I couldnt retrieve it until after a rainstorm, I would not try to turn it on immediately. I would make sure that the integrity of the battery was 100%, no cracks, dents, or moisture inside. In addition, I would let the battery dry out for a few days outside the house, just in case there are fumes coming out that I wasnt aware of. The fumes could possibly be toxic or at the very least be irritating, so no need to take chances.
If any part of the battery is cracked, smells unusual, or is puffed/bloated/distorted, I never use it again. Too many possibilities for problems, and it could pose a hazard to storing it. Best to dispose of it properly instead of risking your drones life, or worse, your health on a $79 part.
Happy holidays.
Rob
P.S. The following is a video of a Youtuber who does experiments with lithium batteries. He is an amateur, and I would never recommend you try this at home. He does point out how volatile lithium strips are after being exposed to water. He is very close to the burning battery which could easily have exploded.
Last edited: