Storing RC away with battery fully charged?

[kentdavidge]

It is common knowledge that we shouldn't keep Drone batteries fully charged if we are not going to use them. Does the same apply to the RC?

 

[Kilrah]

Less important but ideally yes.

 

[eEridani]

Exactly the same issue: charged lithium batteries degrade with time. My flight batteries are nearly as good as new, while my RC batteries are showing age. And I even try to keep the RC at 80% or less when storing (takes a long time to discharge if not using it at full bright with all transmitters going).

ps: I'll add that I am not as diligent keeping the RC at sub 80% charge when storing it. Hence, the degradation is expected.

 

[Ted Warren]

Yes, when not using the batteries for over a week or so I keep them at 60%. I
I have a great fast charger specifically made for the Mavic series drones that has a setting that only charges them to 60%. Alternatively it will charge 3 batteries simultaneously from 20- 100% in about 75 mins ( 1 battery in 30 min). It is a LKTOP 200W Mavic 3 charger. It cost about $140.00 on Amazon. Well worth it!
Keeps me in the air for as long as I want with about a 20 break ( for cool down) after I use up all three batteries. I would do the same for the remote.

 

[Kilrah]

I have a great fast charger specifically made for the Mavic series drones that has a setting that only charges them to 60%.

Useless since the batteries discharge to storage level on their own already.

For the remotes however there's no other way than to do it manually.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Stepping in...

All lithium-ion chemistry cells are not the same, do not include the same risks, discharge characteristics, etc.

They are actually engineered for different purposes. Maximum discharge current, charge current, temperature tolerance, self-discharge leakage, full discharge tolerance, cycle life, and many more characteristics are design parameters.

The cells in your DJI Intelligent Batteries are not the same as the 18650 cells in the N1, N2, N3, RC, and RC2 remotes. Assuming the same vulnerabilities, risks, and care protocol are necessary is wrong.

Stepping back out...

 

[Rchawks]

 

[Droning on and on...]

More info to chew on...

There are li-ion cells available designed specifically for remote backup (meaning difficult access, say, floating in a buoy as just a made up example to illustrate "remote"), that tolerate holding a near-full charge (~95%) with amazingly little internal discharge, still being around 90%+ after 1 year. Also, this does very little "damage" to the cell, preserving normal cycle life.

The trade-off is a little lower capacity, and much lower output power. No 30C discharge rates. 1C is more typical. Usually 18650 and flat candybar form-factors. Charge and forget.

As a rule of thumb, there is an inverse relationship between power output and sensitivity to storage charge. High output cell designs are more vulnerable to damage from being stored charged or discharged.

 

[jephoto]

Yes, when not using the batteries for over a week or so I keep them at 60%. I
I have a great fast charger specifically made for the Mavic series drones that has a setting that only charges them to 60%. Alternatively it will charge 3 batteries simultaneously from 20- 100% in about 75 mins ( 1 battery in 30 min). It is a LKTOP 200W Mavic 3 charger. It cost about $140.00 on Amazon. Well worth it!
Keeps me in the air for as long as I want with about a 20 break ( for cool down) after I use up all three batteries. I would do the same for the remote.

I have the same charger and I really like it a lot. I did not know I could use it to use it in storage mode for the controller.

 

[eEridani]

More info to chew on...

There are li-ion cells available designed specifically for remote backup (meaning difficult access, say, floating in a buoy as just a made up example to illustrate "remote"), that tolerate holding a near-full charge (~95%) with amazingly little internal discharge, still being around 90%+ after 1 year. Also, this does very little "damage" to the cell, preserving normal cycle life.

The trade-off is a little lower capacity, and much lower output power. No 30C discharge rates. 1C is more typical. Usually 18650 and flat candybar form-factors. Charge and forget.

As a rule of thumb, there is an inverse relationship between power output and sensitivity to storage charge. High output cell designs are more vulnerable to damage from being stored charged or discharged.

These primary lithium batteries are generally not called lithium ion; they are a completely different construction and are certainly not considered rechargeable. Classifying them along with rechargeable cells is like equating carbon-zinc with lead-acid.

ps: one quick google for battery differences

https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wmp/SolidWaste/Documents/lithium-basedBatteryManagementFactSheet.pdf

There are two types of lithium-based batteries, Primary Lithium (metal) and Rechargeable Lithium Ion.

- I'll add there are many types of primary and secondary lithium batteries, and they can't be grouped as a whole other than to say they use lithium as one of the materials in their construction. Li-Poly is not Li-Ion; nor are many of the primary battery constructions called Li-Ion. But this is drifting off topic...

 

[Droning on and on...]

These lithium batteries are generally not called lithium ion; they are a completely different construction and are certainly not considered rechargeable. Classifying them along with rechargeable cells is like equating carbon-zinc with lead-acid.

Not true.

Once again you have no idea what you're talking about. Sigh.