Drones and smartphones are matches made in technology. So, after having the first drone the next part is how to connect the drone camera to android?
Typically, the technology used in drones is quite advanced. These batteries are made up of a blend of lithium polymer. This enables them to have more additional maintenance along with storage routine as compared to any other type of regular rechargeable battery. These batteries provide an extreme combination of power density and lightweight features making them ideal for drones. With such amazing features, there is a flip side of the coin where many users find an issue on why their drone battery is not charging? Hence, today we will go through all the possible reasons that are quite common and relatable to batteries made up of lithium polymer.
Generally, there are numerous reasons that can cover the issue of why the drone battery is not properly charging. With the batteries made with a composite of lithium polymer, you are not allowed to drain your battery to less than 5% as it can permanently damage your battery. Another reason that can stop your battery from charging is due to some smart flight features such as hibernation mode included in intelligent battery systems.
Since every lithium polymer battery has been made up of individual cells. Thus in a drone battery, you have around one and eight of them. Hence, each of the cells was rated about 3.7 V, and at the time of fully charged, they reached around 4.2V. Hence, it means you must not let your battery drop below 3.7 V. So if it does then your battery might encounter some permanent damages and these damages won’t revert. Thus, taking extra care of your battery is the only solution to save yourself from further mess.
Moreover, if your drone batteries are still not charging and you run them completely and dry them off then it’s a good suggestion to buy the new batteries for your drone.
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Let us talk about the most common drone battery not charging issues among commercial users.
Common drone battery not charging problems
Now, we will go through with all the common battery not charging problems that were faced by the DJI owners as well as other types of drone users. So we are hopeful that after going through with all these battery issues we will find the solutions for the most common charging problem.
1. Inconsistent firmware
When using the DJI Go 4 app, you might get a notification alert of “inconsistent firmware”. This issue exactly meant for what it told you i.e. the firmware of the battery requires to be updated. Though the confusing part of this is one cannot just update them on the battery. So, to avoid such situations you need to update the aircraft firmware while putting your batteries within the drone. Hence, update the firmware by using the DJI GO 4 app, and after updating the notification alert will be disappeared.
2. Battery temperature is too hot to charge
Though smart batteries include many embedded sensors in them. Even to detect the temperature of the battery there is a sensor too. So, if the temperatures get way too hot the battery will eventually refuse to charge. The reason behind the battery becomes too hot might vary from one reason to another, such as keeping the batteries out in the sun, recently used from a previous flight, or putting them in a hot car. Regardless of any reason, you are facing currently if your battery is hot then it will not charge.
Typically, the batteries for drones were charged between some specific temperature ranges. This range typically lies from 5 to 40° C. Thus, it gives you the possibility that your battery might be too cold to get charged as well.
So, if you feel warm when you touch your battery then it’s a good practice to leave it at room temperature for about half to one hour. Afterward, plug your battery for charging and it will charge in a normal way.
3. Detection of high amperage
Regardless of the temperature of the battery either too hot or too cold that stops the battery from getting charged there is also a reason for not charging due to the access current which is responsible to charge the battery. To get out of such high amperage situation it is a good way to unplug the battery from the charger and then at least wait for 30 seconds before plugging it back in. If the problem doesn’t resolve, we suggest replacing the battery in the charger as there is a chance of encountering with faulty outlet or charger. If this is the situation then buy the new charger or check the drone battery by plugging it with your fellow drone user.
4. Detection of short circuit
Similar to high amperage the charger can also stop working if the charging battery has been detected with any type of short circuit. Typically, a short circuit is a situation where the live parts of a wiring system get in touch with each other. Hence, the short circuits can be located in the charger body or from the wires that are coming out of the charger. Hence, it is very critical to inspect each part for fraying or exposing wires as short circuits warnings for any drone can be the most common cause of facing charging issues. To overcome such a situation it is suggested either identify and immediately replace the damage and fraying parts or stop using them.
5. Damaged pins of batteries or charger
Since the charging batteries are relying on a series of lining up metallic contacts between charger and batteries. So, due to the large frequency of the usage of these metal pins the chances of having bent out of shape can become high. Moreover, these pins can also become corroded due to contact with any type of corrosive material such as leaky battery or moisture.
So, if this is your case where your battery pins look slightly damaged then we suggest you go for buying some new batteries. Also, make sure to buy these new batteries or the charger from either manufacturer or one of the reputable resellers in town.
6. Bad battery cell
The lithium polymer batteries are made up of one up to 8 cells. For instance, there required up to four cells for a DJI drone. So, with the help of the DJI GO 4 app, one can easily take a look and detect the health of each cell.
To check the battery cell health in DJI GO 4 app:
Open the app –> click on the three dots located at the top right-hand corner -> now select the battery icon.
This way you can get all the information you might need to know for each battery cell. So, if your battery cell is indicating the green bars that are close to the same height then you don’t have to be worried. As your battery cells are healthy.
Though, this could be another reason for the batteries not charging. As it is observed that most of the drone batteries don’t charge might be circumvented through the high battery maintenance.
How to maintain your battery health
These are the basics that are keeping your batteries in the good health so one can use them in the best possible way for last long:
1. Keeping your batteries dry and clean
Make sure to store your batteries in the areas that are dry and clean. Also, keep avoiding the batteries to contact directly with excess dust and moisture. As when the battery contact moisture it will rust and corrode the contacts. Though one can use isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to clean the metal also this way you can remove and clean off the accumulated dust.
2. Allow your batteries to cool down before charging
So if you are among those who are eager to get back in the air sooner than they landed their drone then charging the drone battery as soon as it landed cannot be a good recommended idea. During the flight sessions, the batteries are fast discharged at a high rate, and these great movements of electrons can eventually turn your drone batteries to become hot. Though this heating doesn’t turn up your batteries too hot it can heat up a little bit.
Taking some rest to your drone and yourself could be a great deal. Hence, make sure to wait at least 20 minutes before charging your drone again. This precaution can protect you from overheating since charging batteries also causes drone batteries to heat up.
3. Store your battery at 50% charge
We always encourage the drone users to never leave their drone batteries to be fully charged if they are planning to store it for a longer period for instance over a month or two. The best way is to leave your batteries at 3.9 V per cell. By putting a 100% charge to LiPo battery, one might face some instability then if charged 50%.
Hence, there are some smart batteries that automatically discharge themselves when they reach a certain point I.e. 3.9V per cell. However, we still have these basic thumb rules for those who want to store their drone batteries for different time lengths.
- For Short-term Storage – Discharged your batteries between 60 to 80% if you are storing them for one and ten days.
- For Long-term Storage – If you are storing the batteries for more than ten days then discharge the battery between 40 to 60%.
Make sure your batteries should not be left for over three months without being charged. As it will impact the battery life by reducing it.
Tip for LiPo batteries when using the first time
So if you have finally purchased your new battery for your drone you can now cycle the battery a couple of times. This cycle can help the battery to increase its longevity. Thus, after some initial couple of cycles, you can repeat this every rare month. One can call this combat, sometimes referred to as “battery memory” where the batteries are enabled to remember how far it was discharged last time and cause it to shrink its capacity artificially.
Since DJI is considered one of the most prolific manufacturers and renowned marketers when it comes to drones. There is a high chance that people might face some issues with DJI and their batteries.
Conclusion
There are some common issues one might face when they were dealing with drone batteries. One must not forget that the drone batteries are made with a material that is quite sensitive in nature and requires additional special treatment during using, charging, or storing conditions. So, if one puts extra effort into precautions when charging, storage location, and volume then the chance of an encounter with common battery issues will be low and there will be no reason when the battery can stay up with you over a longer time. For instance, before facing any problem or issue your drone battery must be able to stay about 200 charging cycles. Hence, if you find the issue in your battery at early cycles then there is a high chance of negligence while you are maintaining or storing the battery. Being careful right from the beginning can save you from any type of future mess. As for us, one can have astonishingly spectacular flights with a great battery.
So have a great flying experience, my drone pals. Stay safe and keep the precautions as your top priority.
FAQs
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How do you reset a drone battery?
One can reset the bricked battery by simply following these steps:
- Detach the battery’s top cover
- Disconnect the balance plug/loom to the IC gently.
- Let it stay unplugged for at least 60 min
- Now reattach the loom/plug.
- Full charge your battery
- Make sure to do two full cycles at a very low-level hover.
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Can DJI batteries be repaired?
The simple answer to the most asked question when talking about DJI battery repairing is no, DJI batteries don’t repair damaged batteries. As they are not programmed this way. So, one needs to dispose of the batteries and purchase the new batteries.
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How can one fix the phantom 4 battery not charging issue?
The first thing one must do is to find the cause that is stopping from charging. So start with unplugging the battery from your charger and then plug it back in. Now see the regulation of amperage. If amperage is high and continues causing the problem then try a different outlet or charger.
