Stored batteries discharged

erwol · Jun 30, 2018

Hello everyone,

I'm traveling in Sri Lanka and didn't use the drone for two weeks. Last time I used it, I charged all the batteries + the controller. Today I checked and all the batteries plus the controller were at the same level: 2 points and the third one blinking. Did I messed up something? The temperature here is 30° to 40° although my equipment was never directly exposed to the sun, and there's quite a lot of humidity. Now I don't know if I should just fly, test all the batteries... What are your advices?

Thanks!

AeroMirage · Jun 30, 2018

It is normal for the batteries to self discharge while stored. Just recharge them before using.
Don't ever let them sit for 3 months without charging or they may become useless.

dwallersv · Jun 30, 2018

Yup, they do that. It's part of the "intelligence" of the battery, and thank goodness.

LiIon cells do not like to be stored fully charged. It reduces their peak capacity and cycle life -- quite a bit.

Optimal stored charge is 50%. The batteries will self-discharge to 50% after a number of days without use, the interval configurable in GO4.

erwol · Jun 30, 2018

AeroMirage said:
It is normal for the batteries to self discharge while stored. Just recharge them before using.
Don't ever let them sit for 3 months without charging or they may become useless.

Thanks for the reply. I was really worried [emoji28] What should I do prior to store them for few months?

erwol · Jun 30, 2018

dwallersv said:
Yup, they do that. It's part of the "intelligence" of the battery, and thank goodness.

LiIon cells do not like to be stored fully charged. It reduces their peak capacity and cycle life -- quite a bit.

Optimal stored charge is 50%. The batteries will self-discharge to 50% after a number of days without use, the interval configurable in GO4.

I had no idea. I would say that as so many things this is not in the manual that comes with the aircraft... Thanks!