Car Charger

[JeanVos]

Hi Guys,

We do a lot of Camping and off-road driving in off-the-grid places. The previous MP car charger required something like 13v to charge which meant it only charged while you are driving and the alternator is supplying the right amount of V's. This was quite a nuisance. Is it the same with the new M2 Car charger? Or must I use my 220V inverter and normal charger? Car charger is almost useless if this is the case....

Regards
JeanV

 

[Gooseman]

FWIW, I used the charger through my power socket in the car and it didn't work without the ignition on, so maybe this is something to do with the way the car's wiring is done, rather than the DJI charger socket.
FWIW (2)! I drove home fro about 25minutes and it got about 50-66% charged, from about 14% charge after the flight. The main charger outputs 17V, (not sure of mAh) so I figure it'll take maybe 25-30% longer to charge in the car. I know. Highly unscientific

 

[Owen Manderfield]

FWIW, I used the charger through my power socket in the car and it didn't work without the ignition on,

The DJI car charges are very sensitive to voltage. If they don't see 13+ volts they wont charge (I cant remember the exact figure). So basically when the engine is running and the alternator is kicking out 13.8v the dji charger is happy.

When the engine is off the voltage drops to 12.3 or 11.9v or whatever and the charger refuses to work.

However I found 3rd party chargers for the MP far less sensitive and would work happily down to11.5v or less. I'm sure they will be available soon.

or you could wire in a voltage boost device, very cheap, but need wiring in to your power socket

 

[JeanVos]

The DJI car charges are very sensitive to voltage. If they don't see 13+ volts they wont charge (I cant remember the exact figure). So basically when the engine is running and the alternator is kicking out 13.8v the dji charger is happy.

When the engine is off the voltage drops to 12.3 or 11.9v or whatever and the charger refuses to work.

However I found 3rd party chargers for the MP far less sensitive and would work happily down to11.5v or less. I'm sure they will be available soon.

or you could wire in a voltage boost device, very cheap, but need wiring in to your power socket

Where can I get this boost device?

 

[parkgt]

The DJI car charges are very sensitive to voltage. If they don't see 13+ volts they wont charge (I cant remember the exact figure). So basically when the engine is running and the alternator is kicking out 13.8v the dji charger is happy.

One benefit of that approach is that you can't deplete your starting battery to the point that you can't start your vehicle.

 

[JeanVos]

I have 2 x 105a Aux batteries; one is charged from alternator and 1 from Solar panels on the roof. The SPV fed battery charges it fine as long as there's sun, but the 2nd Aux battery only when the car is running. I will check tonight with the new M2Z car charger...

 

[Owen Manderfield]

Where can I get this boost device?

Just search for "12v voltage regulator" and amazon or eBay will oblige.

 

[Owen Manderfield]

Where can I get this boost device?

Something like this...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y52C...d_r=734e129f-bc1d-11e8-a604-89d9608a8d7f&th=1

 

[Mavic 57]

Something like this...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y52C...d_r=734e129f-bc1d-11e8-a604-89d9608a8d7f&th=1

I don't think this is suitable, the car charger is 80 watts, the current will be 80W/13.4V = 5.97A.

 

[matth1000]

Its called a dc to dc converter. You can supply from 9 to 16v in and it will out put 13.8v constant. Search on ebay and get one that meet your volt and amp needs.

 

[covpack]

This makes sense, I could never get my DJI 12volt charger to work in my car or my portable batteries. However, I could get an aftermarket charger to work. Based on my understanding the Mavic 2 car charger needs about 80 watts to work or 7 amps. I have 3 portable power supplies (with one of them being a car jump starter that has a 12volt outlet). The one that has a 6 amp 12volt outlet does not work, however the other two which have 10 amps/15 amps respectively outlet work. The 10 amps outlet can provide up to 120 watts while 6 amps only provide 72 watts. I have no problems with two of the portable power supplies when charging via their AC outlet. The auto jump starter does not have a built in DC/AC inverter.
It should be noted I sent my DJI charger back to DJI for repair,it would not work even when the car was running. It comes back today (after more than 2 weeks away) and I will see if it works.

 

[DanMan32]

Specs on the charger says 6A. Someone did a video testing the threshold and found the charger cuts out at 11.3v, but your car wiring may have enough resistance requiring your car battery to be putting out 11.8v when the charger starts drawing 6A.

 

[matth1000]

To charge off a car u need a dc dc transformer for cars with a computer controlled alternator.
Input 9-15 volts outputs 13.8 volts at 10 amps.
That’s what a car should out put while running except the cars that have a computer controlled alternator that turns off when the battery is charged to save fuel and voltage drops down to 12 volts.
One way you can get around it is to drive with ur headlights on. That will force the the alternator to be cranking.

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

To charge off a car u need a dc dc transformer for cars with a computer controlled alternator.
Input 9-15 volts outputs 13.8 volts at 10 amps.
That’s what a car should out put while running except the cars that have a computer controlled alternator that turns off when the battery is charged to save fuel and voltage drops down to 12 volts.
One way you can get around it is to drive with ur headlights on. That will force the the alternator to be cranking.

Yes, some vehicles have this so called smart alternator, makes running 2nd batteries, some chargers, and other such a pain at times.
Even then, if the engine is turned off the battery voltage will quickly settle to about 12.7 / 12.8 volts, so the chargers needing 13.1v will struggle.

Jean, I had exactly the same things going on.
Now this is for my MP charger, but probable for all other DJI too.

You just need a step converter to give you reliable power when the vehicle is not running the alternator system.

Check this thread Can I use a 12V DC power supply to charge Mavic air batteries?

Reply 5, 11 I explain what works to keep the charger running as long as needed.
All you have to do is ensure you don't drain main battery, but if you are going off grid camping etc like me, you will also be running a 2nd battery for fridge, led lights, etc, much safer to charge off 2nd battery and leave isolated main battery for vehicle starting duties.