Self Discharging Batteries..?

[DevilsLuck]

I'm wondering how some of you folks feel about this feature, and any potential pros, and cons. I found a con this morning when I had a narrow break in the rain and wanted to fly. I had all my batteries fully charged when I put them away last weekend, only to find them at about 50% when I opened the case this morning. Needless to say I missed my window on account of this.

That inconvenience aside; what benefit is there in this feature? As I understand it, battery life is measured in charge/discharge counts. At least in cordless tools. So wouldn't intentionally discharging your batteries shorten it's lifespan?

I'm just trying to understand the thinking behind this "feature"...

 

[djiuser12345]

Its not a feature, its fulfiling a requirement on how to handle these.

100% charged li ion is like a hot potato, the chemicals inside don‘t like to be under stress for long times they get damaged when doing so

If you store them 100% and they would not discharge for 7 days on they will become damaged. So its just protecting the gear

 

[Meta4]

I had all my batteries fully charged when I put them away last weekend, only to find them at about 50% when I opened the case this morning.

They might have shown 50% in the app, but if the batteries have been self discharging, the % indication is wrong.
If you'd flown, they would have run down faster than a genuine 50% battery.

I'm just trying to understand the thinking behind this "feature"...

It's all because storing at 100% damages the battery.

 

[msinger]

So wouldn't intentionally discharging your batteries shorten it's lifespan?

Intentionally discharging them is helping to protect them as noted above. In most cases, you shouldn't charge them unless you're ready to use them soon or the charge level dropped below the safe storage level.

You can find more tips for maintaining your DJI batteries here:

HOW TO: Maintain and store your DJI Mavic batteries | Mavic Help

Mavic Help is a site for help with DJI Mavic drones. Find the latest fixes, how-tos, guides, accessories, modifications, and more.

www.mavichelp.com

 

[Cafguy]

You never want to charge a battery to 100% and then store it ! I have not used the "newer" Batteries BUT the old ones would discharge but not fast enough. Maybe that has changed. Ideally you want to store your batteries with a 60% charge. you should check them periodically and dont let them sit too long when they are under 60%. I charge all of my batteries to 60% until the day I use them then I give them 100%.

 

[djwak59]

I'm wondering how some of you folks feel about this feature, and any potential pros, and cons. I found a con this morning when I had a narrow break in the rain and wanted to fly. I had all my batteries fully charged when I put them away last weekend, only to find them at about 50% when I opened the case this morning. Needless to say I missed my window on account of this.

That inconvenience aside; what benefit is there in this feature? As I understand it, battery life is measured in charge/discharge counts. At least in cordless tools. So wouldn't intentionally discharging your batteries shorten it's lifespan?

I'm just trying to understand the thinking behind this "feature"...

Personally, I’d rather have them self discharging than burning my house down. Yeah it could be inconvenient, but….
I don’t charge mine up unless I know I’m flying the next day, or the same day. But that’s just me.

 

[Exphantomflyer]

You never want to charge a battery to 100% and then store it !

I always charge my newer quad batteries up to 100% when i get home from flying, they self discharge if not used so there's no harm done

I have not used the "newer" Batteries BUT the old ones would discharge but not fast enough.

what is your definition of "fast enough", the old P2 batteries had no form of self discharge ( not strictly true DJI did release a firmware for them to do this but it broke 3rd party batteries so DJI pulled it)

Ideally you want to store your batteries with a 60% charge.

That was about right back in the days of the Phantom 2 batteries

you should check them periodically and dont let them sit too long when they are under 60%.

I agree with you there.

 

[gundersonjim]

You never want to charge a battery to 100% and then store it ! I have not used the "newer" Batteries BUT the old ones would discharge but not fast enough. Maybe that has changed. Ideally you want to store your batteries with a 60% charge. you should check them periodically and dont let them sit too long when they are under 60%. I charge all of my batteries to 60% until the day I use them then I give them 100%.

 

[gundersonjim]

If you charge them / store them at 60% how long doe is take to deplete them to 0 from this point? And Or…When do you charge them again to 60% if they go below that and the next time you fly?

Thank you!

 

[WanderLost]

If you charge them / store them at 60% how long doe is take to deplete them to 0 from this point? And Or…When do you charge them again to 60% if they go below that and the next time you fly?

Thank you!

DJI recommends they be re-charged every 3 months for the longest life. I charge my Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3E batteries to 100% and let the self-discharge process lower the charge state to storage level. There are nice 3rd party chargers for the Mavic 3 line that have 2 settings - 100% and 60% for storage.

My Matrice M30 battery charging station has 3 settings - storage at 60%, ready to fly at 90% and full - 100%. I wish all of the DJI chargers had at least the 2 settings.