Drones mainly rely on lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries to drive flight. These batteries have the significant advantages of high energy density and lightweight structure, making them ideal power sources for aerial platforms such as drones. A deep understanding of the working principles, life cycle and correct maintenance techniques of these batteries is crucial to improving the performance of drone batteries. This article will discuss the drone battery cycle, analyze the reasons for short battery life, introduce ways to extend flight time, share practical maintenance tips, and explore the causes of battery bulging.
How do lithium-ion batteries work in drones?
Most drones use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries because of their high energy density and relatively light weight. The working principle of these batteries is based on the chemical reaction caused by the movement of lithium ions between the anode and the cathode. When the battery is in a discharged state, that is, when powering a drone, lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode, thereby generating current; while during the charging process, this movement direction is reversed. Compared with other types of batteries, lithium-ion batteries show excellent performance in many aspects. It has a higher energy density, which means it can store more energy in a smaller size and weight; a lower self-discharge rate, which means it can hold power for a longer time; and a longer cycle life, which means it can withstand more charge and discharge cycles. In addition, lithium-ion batteries can provide stable power output, which is crucial for drones to maintain stable flight.
What is a drone battery cycle?
A battery cycle refers to a complete charge and discharge process. For drone batteries, a cycle is completed when the battery is discharged and then fully charged again. However, this does not necessarily mean a single flight use. For example, if a battery is discharged to 50%, then charged, and then the same process is repeated again, this counts as a complete cycle.
Each cycle causes the battery capacity to gradually decrease. This is like the tires on a car, which gradually wear out during use. Similarly, as time goes by and the number of cycles increases, the battery’s ability to store a full charge gradually decreases. The service life of a drone battery is usually measured by the number of cycles it can withstand before its performance degrades significantly. Most drone batteries have a service life of 300 to 500 charging cycles, depending on the quality, chemical composition, and usage conditions of the battery.
Why do drone batteries last so long?
Several factors contribute to the limited battery life of drones:
●Energy-intensive operations: Drones require a lot of power to run motors, control systems, cameras, and other payloads. Overcoming gravity to take off is a particularly energy-intensive task.
●Battery weight: The battery itself adds weight to the drone, which requires more energy to take off and fly. There is a constant trade-off between battery capacity and drone weight.
●Charge and discharge rates: High discharge rates and frequent deep discharges shorten the life of lithium polymer batteries. Avoiding full discharges and keeping the battery charge above 20% can extend its life.
●Battery aging: As mentioned above, batteries age with each cycle, gradually reducing their ability to store electricity.
●Cell inconsistency: High-power drone batteries are made up of many cells. Differences in capacity, internal resistance, and voltage between cells affect the overall capacity of the battery, resulting in a natural reduction in actual flight time.
●Improper use: Using the battery not in accordance with the instructions, such as frequent overcharging and over-discharging, can cause the battery material to age faster and the internal resistance to increase.
●Air resistance: Air resistance can hinder the flight of the drone, requiring more power to maintain flight.
●Environmental conditions: Factors such as wind, temperature, and altitude can significantly affect battery performance and flight time. For example, low temperatures can reduce battery capacity.
How to extend flight time with lithium batteries?
To maximize the flight time of your drone, consider the following best practices:
●Use high-capacity batteries: Choose batteries with higher milliampere hours (mAh) that are compatible with your drone.
●Reduce load: Try to reduce unnecessary weight, such as accessories or heavy cameras.
●Fly in optimal conditions: Avoid flying in strong winds and extreme temperature conditions.
●Optimize flight style: Fly smoothly and minimize acceleration and deceleration.
●Keep batteries warm in cold weather: Preheat the battery before flying in cold environments to maintain its performance.
●Use efficient propellers: Larger or more aerodynamic propellers can reduce energy consumption.
●Enable power saving mode: Some drones offer settings to extend battery life.
●Develop proper charging habits: Use a balancing charger to ensure that all cells in the battery are charged evenly. Avoid fast charging, which generates more heat and can degrade the battery over time.
●Properly care for your battery: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for charging, storing, and caring for your battery. This will help extend the life of your battery and improve performance.
How do I reset my drone battery?
Some smart drone batteries can be reset to recalibrate their power management system. Follow these steps:
●Fully discharge: Fly the drone until the battery charge drops to 5% or less, but avoid completely draining it.
●Rest the battery: Leave the battery powered off for a few hours to allow the internal components to stabilize.
●Fully charge: Charge the battery to 100% without interruption.
●Repeat as necessary: Some manufacturers recommend repeating the above cycle 2-3 times to achieve a full calibration.
Be sure to check the drone manufacturer’s recommendations before performing a reset.
How to maintain a drone lithium battery?
Proper maintenance can significantly extend the life of a drone battery and improve its performance:
●Charge correctly: Use the recommended charger and avoid overcharging.
●Store at 40% – 60% charge: Do not store a battery fully charged or completely depleted.
●Store in a cool and dry place: Store batteries at 15 – 25°C (59 – 77°F) to prevent overheating.
●Avoid deep discharge: Frequently discharging the battery below 20% will damage the battery health.
●Balance charge multi-cell batteries: For lithium polymer batteries with multiple cells, balance charge should be performed to prevent uneven loss.
●Check the battery for damage: Check the battery for bulges, cracks or leakage before and after flight.
●Use the right charger: Always use a charger designed specifically for your drone battery. Using the wrong charger may damage the battery.
Why is my drone battery bulging?
A bulging drone battery is a sign of gas accumulation due to chemical degradation and is potentially dangerous. Common causes include:
●Overcharge or over-discharge: Charging above the recommended voltage or discharging to too low a charge.
●High temperature exposure: High temperatures accelerate chemical decomposition inside the battery.
●Physical damage: Drops or punctures may cause internal short circuits in the battery.
●Battery aging: As the battery ages, internal components age, increasing the risk of bulging.
●Manufacturing defects: Some batteries may fail prematurely due to quality issues.
What to do?
●Stop using: Batteries with bulging present a risk of fire and should be stopped immediately.
●Proper disposal: Follow local hazardous waste disposal guidelines for disposal.
●Replace with a new battery: Using a damaged battery may damage your drone.
Summary
Understanding drone battery cycles and proper care is essential to maximizing flight performance and extending battery life. By following best practices for charging, storage, and handling, you can extend the life of your drone battery and improve safety. Always monitor battery health and replace damaged or swollen batteries to prevent failures during flight. As a leading global drone battery manufacturer, CHUNQU provides semi-solid drone batteries and smart drone battery solutions with energy density up to 350Wh/kg to meet the needs of various commercial and industrial drone applications. If you have any questions or needs, please feel free to contact us through online customer service or phone.
