Power Bank for Controller?

[tbw]

As a new pilot with a very limited knowledge data base, I‘m not sure how long the charge lasts on my RC. Easy enough to purchase as many batteries as one deems necessary. Regardless of the number of batteries one has, if the RC’s charge is depleted, then your grounded. l purchased the Fly More Combo, which comes with 3 batteries. Wondering if a full charge on the RC will be sufficient to handle 3 fully charged batteries?


As a metal detectorist, it’s not uncommon to go on a couple day trip in the back country detecting. Utilizing my Mini to scout out perspective areas to detect. Is a power bank an option for charging my RC in the field? If so, are there any problems or concerns I should be aware of?

 

[RichR]

In my limited experience, you'll easily get through three AC batteries and have loads of charge left in the RC.
Don't forget you can charge the RC off the battery bank in the Fly More pack too.

 

[dirkclod]

I have used 4 batteries and still had plenty of battery % left
in the controller. You have no worries.

 

[brettbrandon]

I have charged my RC off a power bank many times. No problems but would suggest a larger one as the RC can suck up some juice.

 

[Capt KO]

I carry many. 10, 16, 25,000mAh. Charging all my stuff RC, batts, iPad's, GPS, etc.
Well worth it. Im at sea often.

 

[Capt KO]

When charging iPads GPS and such you can use it while you're charging from the power bank. I leave mine hooked up on the boat as it's easier to keep a full charge on a device, then a recharge. The solar charger ones don't add much unless you get a 3 panel or more. But a built-in single panel is better than nothing I guess. If it comes with it.

Good luck and stay safe

 

[tbw]

Thanks to everyone for their response. My particular power bank has a capacity of 20,000 mAh 74Wh. Thinking with all 3 batteries and RC fully charged, my power bank should be more than enough for a couple of days outing.

 

[Capt KO]

Thanks to everyone for their response. My particular power bank has a capacity of 20,000 mAh 74Wh. Thinking with all 3 batteries and RC fully charged, my power bank should be more than enough for a couple of days outing.

I'm fairly certain that you will get 2 complete recharges of each battery (from 30%) and 2 of the remote with a 20,000. Don't run the pack all the way down or leave discharged for long, to prevent damage. Have fun!

 

[GregS]

Since we are on the subject, I dont really need it, but just in case....I have a 3 panel solar charger. So I would think that if I connected it to the controller of my Mavic Pro, it would keep the controller charged. My question is: if controller is connected to the solar panel, and the phone also connected to controller, will it be confused since two items are connected? Or just disconnect phone after flying and connect solar panel to charge?

 

[Capt KO]

Since we are on the subject, I dont really need it, but just in case....I have a 3 panel solar charger. So I would think that if I connected it to the controller of my Mavic Pro, it would keep the controller charged. My question is: if controller is connected to the solar panel, and the phone also connected to controller, will it be confused since two items are connected? Or just disconnect phone after flying and connect solar panel to charge?

You cannot do it with the Phantoms but I don't know on the mavic as my only one is a mini with only one USB. If you don't get the reply you're looking for here you might want to start a new thread. Charging while using? Good luck

 

[brettbrandon]

I'm fairly certain that you will get 2 complete recharges of each battery (from 30%) and 2 of the remote with a 20,000. Don't run the pack all the way down or leave discharged for long, to prevent damage. Have fun!

I'm curious, how do you recharge the drone batteries from a USB connection?

 

[Capt KO]

I'm curious, how do you recharge the drone batteries from a USB connection?

On mini Either by leaving it in the Drone or connecting to the battery pack in the combo kit.

 

[DanMan32]

The other Mavic remotes have a full A USB port which can be used for connecting the mobile device. With that, it frees up the side port to connect a power bank to continuously charge the RC as you fly.

The Mini doesn't have the full A USB port.

Note that if you use an Android, the RC will use some of its power to slow charge the Android at 500mA. The iOS devices do not have this problem.
Don't blame DJI for this, but rather blame Google for not providing charge control in their Android API. Apple included charge control in their API.
DJI otherwise had to adhere to USB standards which says a host device (which is what the RC behaves as when connected to a mobile device) which says it must supply what the connected device calls for, with a limit of 500mA.

Because of the Android charging issue, the RC lasts about 3 batteries. With an iOS, much longer.

 

[DanMan32]

Note that the combo hub does not charge the RC and the AC batteries at the same time. Only when the AC batteries are done will pass through the charger to the RC. You can be fooled into thinking the RC is charging from the charger when in reality the hub is using the AC batteries as a power bank.

 

[GregS]

I'm curious, how do you recharge the drone batteries from a USB connection?

We are talking about when connecting the phone to the controller but also connecting the solar pack via USB to the controller. to charge the controller batteries, not the drone. I probably wasn't clear on that....sorry

 

[brettbrandon]

On mini Either by leaving it in the Drone or connecting to the battery pack in the combo kit.

My Bad, I did not realize this was a Mini thread...

 

[brettbrandon]

We are talking about when connecting the phone to the controller but also connecting the solar pack via USB to the controller. to charge the controller batteries, not the drone. I probably wasn't clear on that....sorry

It was me, I did not get it because I did not catch that this is a Mini thread.

 

[GregS]

It was me, I did not get it because I did not catch that this is a Mini thread.

This actually came up under the Mavic forum....one forum leads to another on here.....
My comments are for the Mavic Pro.

 

[Bosco Bear]

Note that if you use an Android, the RC will use some of its power to slow charge the Android at 500mA. The iOS devices do not have this problem.
Don't blame DJI for this, but rather blame Google for not providing charge control in their Android API. Apple included charge control in their API.
DJI otherwise had to adhere to USB standards which says a host device (which is what the RC behaves as when connected to a mobile device) which says it must supply what the connected device calls for, with a limit of 500mA.
Because of the Android charging issue, the RC lasts about 3 batteries. With an iOS, much longer.

Thanks for the explanation... I was wondering about this! The owners manual states that the battery life on the controller is 1.5 hours with an Android device and 4.5 hours with iOS. There was no explanation as to why there is such a difference. I have 2 phones that I use for the drone -- an Android and an iOS and there is a huge difference in the battery life of the controller. Now I know why. Thanks again!