Question on batteries

[The road hound]

Hi,

I'm 100% new to the drone world, yesterday I ordered my first one, the mini 4 pro basic package, as you might know, it comes only with the rc n2 control and 1 regular battery.

My question is, is it OK to use aftermarket batteries? After all, all batteries are made in China.

Thank you

 

[msinger]

is it OK to use aftermarket batteries? After all, all batteries are made in China.

It’s fine as long as you don’t plan on using your DJI warranty while the drone is still covered.

As for the third party batteries you're considering, it's hard to say how they'll perform compared to DJI's. I wouldn't assume all batteries from China are of equal quality just because they come from the same country. There can be significant differences in manufacturing standards and performance.

 

[BossBob]

Yes, many batteries are made in China but they are not all made to the same standards. While I’ve not heard of any house fires caused by drone batteries, in the UK lives have been lost from fires caused by poor quality electric scooter and bike batteries. There was a you tuber who reviews drones that had a battery catch fire on him. Luckily, or by design, the battery was on a fire resistant surface so not too much harm done. If I find a link I’ll add it.

 

[The road hound]

Yes, many batteries are made in China but they are not all made to the same standards. While I’ve not heard of any house fires caused by drone batteries, in the UK lives have been lost from fires caused by poor quality electric scooter and bike batteries. There was a you tuber who reviews drones that had a battery catch fire on him. Luckily, or by design, the battery was on a fire resistant surface so not too much harm done. If I find a link I’ll add it.

Yes, I guess you guys are right, better paying a little more for the oem stuff to be sure

 

[Cafguy]

Those batteries could end up useless if DJI decides to “lock them out” in a future update. I always buy OEM.

 

[AZAV8R]

Hi,

I'm 100% new to the drone world, yesterday I ordered my first one, the mini 4 pro basic package, as you might know, it comes only with the rc n2 control and 1 regular battery.

My question is, is it OK to use aftermarket batteries? After all, all batteries are made in China.

Thank you

For the price difference, I chose not to risk lithium batteries from an unknown source. Additionally, there are a number of posts on this site saying their drone won't take off with a non-oem battery installed.

 

[mavic3usa]

Those batteries could end up useless if DJI decides to “lock them out” in a future update. I always buy OEM.

For the price difference, I chose not to risk lithium batteries from an unknown source. Additionally, there are a number of posts on this site saying their drone won't take off with a non-oem battery installed.

DJI doesn't purposely lock out non-oem batteries so they won't take off. Usually those batteries are developed after the drone is launched so they are tested to make sure they at least work. So DJI hasn't instituted the despicable practice of rolling out new software that does a lot of other things in addition to defeating 3rd party batteries; a practice frowned upon in the US and probably illegal in other countries (thinking EU). Amazon wouldn't be too happy with that if it happened.

However, as noted, one change it all it takes and those batteries could be defeated. Aftermarket batteries for electronics is not a bad thing anymore like it used to be. A $200 DJI battery is not yet flooded with $25 Alibaba knockoff so at this point, you can probably treat batteries like you treat nd Filters or propellers (use care and common sense).

Many of our drones don't have a warranty and older drones like Mavic 2.....it's fine. If needed an FPV battery, I would have no problem getting an alternative if no refurbs were available.

 

[msinger]

I would have no problem getting an alternative if no refurbs were available

Sure, I think most people would be fine using 3rd party batteries if that were the only option. For now though, I prefer to stick with OEM DJI batteries since they've always worked well for me.