DJI Intelligent Battery Optimal Life

[EricJT]

Hypothetically, assuming an M2P intelligent battery is treated with care (stored at 50-60%, checked every 2-3 months when inactive, only discharged to 25-30% when flying, recharged to storage level after cooling down post-flying), and assuming low number of flights (less than 20), what might the life expectancy be?

Or put more simply, if a brand new DJI battery is purchased, charged and discharged to the storage level and maintained there, how long might it still be usable?

TIA.

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

I can't answer that, but I believe I can still say something valuable.

I sold my old Phantom kit last year. I had it for many years, several years after retiring it for the M2P. I had 5-6 batteries (which I took good care of per your description) and all were still functional when I sold it. The buyer was happy and hasn't complained. I flew that far more than just 20 times, at least 3 times that much (probably more, though I wish I would have kept the hours logged total).

I've had my M2P kit for several years now, at least the first 2-3 active (traveling across the southwest and plenty of flying local) and the last couple of years not at all, just stored because of life's changes, with a total flight time still far more than 20 (again, probably at least 3 times that). In the past 6-9+ months I've checked the batteries a couple of times and they've always remained 50%+ (all but one blink 3 of 4 lights, the one blinking 2).

So while I can't tell you how many MP2 batteries I've used until dead (because that's never happened), I can say that all of my M2P batteries are still going probably at least 5 years on now.

If I had kept flying (not been grounded the past couple of years), I imagine that one or two would be near end of life (I did not buy all 6 at the same time and I rotate their use with a numbering system).

Chris

 

[Cafguy]

A mavic 2 pro Battery treated with ideal care will give you almost 300 cycles but performance degrades after around 200.

hypothetically, assuming an M2P intelligent battery is treated with care (stored at 50-60%, checked every 2-3 months when inactive, only discharged to 25-30% when flying, recharged to storage level after cooling down post-flying), and assuming low number of flights (less than 20), what might the life expectancy be?

The battery you describe above would give you the 300 cycles.
REMEMBER at about 250 you will only be getting a fraction of flight time.

 

[Flakey Flier]

Mini 3 Pro batteries still fine after 2yrs, many charges and half charges, quite often fly with only 50-60% and rarely discharge it to less than 10%.and sometimes don't fly for months. I don't treat them with kidgloves either, although many of you mob do

 

[GadgetGuy]

Hypothetically, assuming an M2P intelligent battery is treated with care (stored at 50-60%, checked every 2-3 months when inactive, only discharged to 25-30% when flying, recharged to storage level after cooling down post-flying), and assuming low number of flights (less than 20), what might the life expectancy be?

Or put more simply, if a brand new DJI battery is purchased, charged and discharged to the storage level and maintained there, how long might it still be usable?

TIA.

The bigger concern with Mavic 2 batteries is the swelling that occurs within 1-2 years after manufacturing, regardless of care. Some swell significantly and others a little, some not at all. Most will eventually show mild deformation of the flat underside of the battery, such that they will tip slightly when pressure is applied from above on either side. They will no longer sit completely flat on a table.

The slightly swollen batteries will still perform as normal, but the the heat buildup during flight makes the expansion swelling more severe, and can lead to the battery completely disconnecting itself from the electrical contacts, as it is lifted up off the body of the drone, leading to an immediate crash.

Should you notice any such swelling on an Mavic 2 battery before use, either abandon use of that battery for flight, or at the very least, strap it very tightly to the body with some zip ties or a very secure velcro strap around the battery and the fuselage, so it cannot electrically disconnect from the anticipated expansion.

Most Mavic 2 batteries are now 3 to 5 years old, and even new, unused ones in a box, are likely to be at least 2 years old. Should you find a new one, DJI's battery warranty is 12 months from date of purchase, so keep your receipt. Whether they even have replacements available now, almost 7 years after release, is questionable.

Good luck!

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

The bigger concern with Mavic 2 batteries is the swelling that occurs within 1-2 years after manufacturing, regardless of care.

I would not call that a bigger concern, since only a certain percent will swell, but ALL batteries will die (and do so sooner without care).

I believe there was a certain manufacturing period where the occurrence of swollen batteries was unusually high, so it's not a normal risk for all batteries. I personally have never had a swollen battery and mine are all well beyond 2 years old.

Chris

 

[GadgetGuy]

I would not call that a bigger concern, since only a certain percent will swell, but ALL batteries will die (and do so sooner without care).

I believe there was a certain manufacturing period where the occurrence of swollen batteries was unusually high, so it's not a normal risk for all batteries. I personally have never had a swollen battery and mine are all well beyond 2 years old.

Chris

My comments are specific to the Mavic 2 batteries. If the OP ends up with any swollen Mavic 2 batteries, his care of them will be irrelevant, but his method of attachment will become paramount. I agree that the Mavic 2 batteries had an unusually high swelling rate compared to all other DJI batteries, and it was, indeed, regardless of care. Whether DJI solved the problem in later batches of Mavic 2 batteries remains unknown, as shortly after the Mavic 2 battery swelling issues became public, most Mavic 2 owners upgraded to a Mavic 3 series aircraft, for the larger sensor and 50% increase in flight time, selling off their Mavic 2 aircraft along with all the batteries. Mavic 2 will be 7 years old this August. The OP will likely end up with a two year old battery even if it is brand new, as I seriously doubt DJI is still making new ones. All LiPo batteries start dying from date of manufacture, and not the date of first use.

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

My comments are specific to the Mavic 2 batteries. If the OP ends up with any swollen Mavic 2 batteries, his care of them will be irrelevant, but his method of attachment will become paramount.

I get that, but I disagree that it's a "bigger concern", a statement you made that was the sole reason for me even responding.

I agree that the Mavic 2 batteries had an unusually high swelling rate compared to all other DJI batteries

I never said that.

I believe if you had the numbers, the percentage of M2 batteries that had the swelling problem was probably far fewer than the total.

, and it was, indeed, regardless of care. Whether DJI solved the problem in later batches of Mavic 2 batteries remains unknown,

DJI specified that the problem (larger number than average of swollen batteries) happened within certain production dates and could be identified by serial numbers. I believe you can find threads in these forums that mention that.

Chris

 

[EricJT]

First of all, thx to all of you for your thoughts.

I have 4 DJI M2P batteries that are 5 years old and 2 that are 2 years old. I check for swelling by visual inspections combined with spinning them bottom down on a granite countertop....if they spin easily, I would assume some swelling.

All of the 6 batteries have less than 50 flights on each of them, and I do use a wide velcro cinch strap around the body and battery when flying.

My original question was to attempt to figure out if I should look for a couple of new batteries, but after the replies and thinking of the age of my current batteries and their flight numbers, I probably have quite a few more years left in them.

By that time, I will probably be in the market for a Mavic Pro 5!

Thx again to the respondents.

 

[matt@tcdrones]

First, never use a swollen battery, it can burst/start on fire if energized. Batteries swell because of defect and leakage and should be properly disposed of ASAP.
DJI warranties their batteries to 200 cycles. All five of my batteries swelled up somewhere between 100-135 cycles. DJI asks you to make a video of the M2P battery wobbling on a flat surface, then showing your remote with the battery cycle count and serial number. They will then replace the battery for free. For me this was about 3 years ago. Who knows if they are honoring this discontinued drone anymore. If they can’t replace, ask for store credit. Use the money when you upgrade. DJI has been very good to me when I have provided lots of feedback. They’ve sent me a free $80 charger, free mini battery, free 12gb sd card, and their last offering was $30 in credit because I turned down whatever freebie they last offered me. So credit is very much achievable.

 

[EricJT]

First, never use a swollen battery, it can burst/start on fire if energized. Batteries swell because of defect and leakage and should be properly disposed of ASAP.
DJI warranties their batteries to 200 cycles. All five of my batteries swelled up somewhere between 100-135 cycles. DJI asks you to make a video of the M2P battery wobbling on a flat surface, then showing your remote with the battery cycle count and serial number. They will then replace the battery for free. For me this was about 3 years ago. Who knows if they are honoring this discontinued drone anymore. If they can’t replace, ask for store credit. Use the money when you upgrade. DJI has been very good to me when I have provided lots of feedback. They’ve sent me a free $80 charger, free mini battery, free 12gb sd card, and their last offering was $30 in credit because I turned down whatever freebie they last offered me. So credit is very much achievable.

Good advice and much appreciated!