1. Do not release
The battery discharge curve shows that the voltage drops rapidly at the beginning of discharge, but slows down between 3.9 and 3.7V. However, once it drops below 3.7V, the voltage drop rate accelerates, and improper control can lead to over-discharge, which can damage the battery or even cause the drone to crash due to excessively low voltage. Some modelers, due to having fewer batteries, tend to over-discharge them every time, resulting in very short battery life. The strategy is to minimize flight time by one minute, thus extending the battery's lifespan by one more flight cycle. It's better to buy two extra batteries than to fly them beyond their capacity limit each time. Make full use of the battery warning system; land as soon as the warning light comes on.
II. Do not overcharge
1. Use a dedicated charger. This charger can be a lithium-ion or lithium polymer charger; the two are very similar. Some mobile phone chargers can also be used to charge lithium polymer batteries. This will not damage the battery.
2. Accurately set the number of individual battery cells in the battery pack. During the first few minutes of charging, carefully observe the charger's display screen, which will show the number of batteries in the pack. If you are unsure, do not charge or use a charger you are familiar with.
3. When charging a new lithium-ion battery pack for the first time, check the voltage of each individual cell. Repeat this process every 10 charge/discharge cycles. This is absolutely necessary; a battery pack with unbalanced voltages will still explode even when the correct number of cells is selected for charging. If the voltage difference between individual cells in the pack exceeds 0.1 volts, you should charge each cell individually to 4.2 volts to equalize them. If the voltage difference between individual cells exceeds 0.1 volts after each discharge, your battery is faulty and should be replaced.
4. Do not charge if unattended.
5. Place the charging batteries and chargers in a safe location.
6. Generally, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, the charging current should not exceed 1C. Batteries that now support high-current discharge can also support charging currents exceeding 1C. However, this will significantly shorten the battery's lifespan. Buying three batteries and charging them alternately is more cost-effective than buying one battery and having to fast charge it.
3. Store without full charge
A fully charged battery should not be stored at full charge for more than 3 days. If it is not discharged for more than a week, some batteries will bulge. Other batteries may not bulge immediately, but after several full-charge storages, they may become unusable. Therefore, the correct way is to charge the battery only after receiving a flight assignment. If there are no flight assignments within 3 days after use, charge each cell to 3.80~3.90V before storage. Even if the battery is fully charged but not used for any reason, discharge it to 3.80~3.90V within 3 days before storage. If the battery will not be used within three months, charge and discharge it once before storing; this will extend its lifespan. Batteries should be stored in a cool, dark environment. For long-term storage, it is best to place them in a sealed bag or a sealed explosion-proof box. The recommended ambient temperature is 10~25°C, and the environment should be dry and free of corrosive gases.
IV. Do not damage the packaging.
The outer packaging of a battery is a crucial structure for preventing battery explosions, leaks, and fires. Damage to the aluminum-plastic film of a lithium-polymer battery can directly lead to a fire or explosion. Batteries should be handled with care, and cable ties should be tightened securely when securing them on an aircraft. During high-dynamic flight or a crash, the battery may be thrown out due to loose cable ties, easily causing damage to the battery casing.
Check if your maintenance methods are scientific.
1. Avoid over-discharging drone batteries.
If the battery voltage drops too quickly and is not properly controlled, it can lead to over-discharge. If the battery voltage is too low, it can slightly damage the battery and cause an explosion. Some pilots over-discharge their batteries every time they fly because they have too few. Such batteries have a very short lifespan. The strategy is to fly for as few minutes as possible, and expect the battery life to increase by one cycle. It's better to buy two extra batteries rather than exceeding the capacity limit every time. Therefore, pilots should strictly adhere to flight requirements when using batteries. When an aircraft receives a low power warning, it should land as soon as possible.
2. Overcharging of lithium-ion batteries in plant protection drones
Furthermore, due to component aging, some chargers are prone to running continuously after a period of time when fully charged. Overcharging a lithium-ion battery can slightly affect its lifespan, but can also lead to explosion or ignition. Therefore, to prevent overcharging lithium-ion batteries, the following points should be noted:
1. Uses a professional intelligent balance charger.
2. Precisely set the number of battery cells.
IV. Safe Placement of Batteries for Agricultural Drones
1. Handle with care. The battery casing is a crucial structure preventing battery explosions and ignition due to leakage. Damage to the battery casing can directly lead to battery fire or explosion. Batteries should be handled with care. When installing batteries on an aircraft, the straps should be tightened securely. During high-speed, dynamic flights, the battery may detach and be ejected due to loosening of the straps during flight or a crash, easily causing damage to the battery casing.
2. Do not charge or discharge in high/low temperature environments. Extreme temperatures can affect battery performance and lifespan. Before charging, check that the used battery has cooled down. Do not charge or discharge in cold storage, basements, direct sunlight, or near heat sources.
3. Batteries should be stored in a cool environment. For long-term storage, it is best to place them in a sealed bag or a sealed explosion-proof box. The recommended ambient temperature is 10–25°C, and the environment should be dry and free of corrosive gases.
