Low Battery Warning(19%) And Down She Goes

[Dr. Bill 1969]

Had my bird flying the beautiful Sussex County Delaware countryside in near perfect weather. I was marveling at the wide open spaces, farms and homes when disaster almost struck! Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. At 30% my low battery warning sounds, it sounded and as the bird was less than a kilometer away and had a 10 mph breeze at her tail, no sweat I thought. So much for thinking. The battery level indicator dropped quickly to 19%...watch the video to see how the story ends

Guess the video was too long to post.

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[Lets Fly]

Explanation required, like where were you, why so long hovering over grass? exc. Was I missing something?

 

[Dr. Bill 1969]

Explanation required, like where were you, why so long hovering over grass? exc. Was I missing something?

Apparently you miss most things. Every question you've asked is answered in the original post.

 

[xspwhite]

Dont fly with a cold battery.

 

[Skywatcher2001]

Extreme cold weather will cause the battery to lose % . . .

 

[WithTheBirds]

Explanation required, like where were you, why so long hovering over grass? exc. Was I missing something?

You haven't missed anything if you watched the video.

Note- this is posted in the photo/video section. There is no question that requires an answer, the intent is you add to a view count.

 

[xspwhite]

A view count? Why?

 

[Dr. Bill 1969]

Extreme cold weather will cause the battery to lose % . . .

Yes, I've heard that extreme cold will deplete a battery quickly. However, it was in the lower 50 degrees Fahrenheit that afternoon. Additionally, I always keep my equipment(drone & batteries) in my home. Flown the bird since with the same battery and couldn't repeat the result.

 

[WithTheBirds]

How cold was it?

 

[xspwhite]

Yes, I've heard that extreme cold will deplete a battery quickly. However, it was in the lower 50 degrees Fahrenheit that afternoon. Additionally, I always keep my equipment(drone & batteries) in my home. Flown the bird since with the same battery and couldn't repeat the result.

if you want to repeat the process, then let the battery sit out in 50-degree weather for a half hour and cram it in your drone and fly.

Just don't do it over residential neighborhoods.

 

[Proffy]

Fly safe!

 

[Dr. Bill 1969]

if you want to repeat the process, then let the battery sit out in 50-degree weather for a half hour and cram it in your drone and fly.

Just don't do it over residential neighborhoods.

I have repeated the flight under exactly the same conditions. The bird was toasty warm prior to the flight. It(Mavic Pro) was inside(a heated shop) idling prior to taking off; without being able to replicate the incident.

However, with several hours of research I believe the cause of my premature landing(and sudden depletion of battery power) has been found.

My son-in-law(A NOAA employee) directed me to a site:earth.nullschool.net. From information garnered there, I discovered my flight path had taken the bird through a very low(-22° Fahrenheit @ 400 meters)temperature thermal layer for approximately 5 minutes. Which, in my opinion, sucked the juice from the battery. Thus, forcing it to land.