Are you looking for the correct drone battery to help you fly for hours? With the wide applications of the UAV in recent years, the knowledge of the popularization of UAV parts is also becoming a hot topic as each part of the drone plays an important role. One of the most important components is the drone battery, which has a great influence on the flight of a drone. In this article, we will learn about drone batteries.
There are hundreds of drone batteries on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for your build. So, let's learn about the mainstream battery types first.
The battery system of UAV mainly includes lithium polymer batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries and other types.
LiPo batteries are the most common variant applied in drones today. This is also a widespread choice because of its characteristics, such as high energy density, lightweight, and high current capability toward quick power requirements, especially at take-off and maneuvering.
Moreover, it requires careful handling and storage to avert any damage and safety.
NiMH batteries are still used for old-model drones; however, most developed drones use them less.
They are much more durable and robust than LiPo batteries but heavier, with a lower energy density than LiPo, hence the reduced flight times and lesser overall performance.
Li-ion batteries are known for their longer lifespan and stability than LiPo batteries. This is, however, compensated by the fact that they always deliver energy when necessary, making them quite possible in applications that need more endurance than high performance.
The LiFePO4 batteries are a relatively new breed in the drone scene. They bring up a good balance between safety, long life, and performance.
That means these batteries run steadily with less overheating than before. Hence, they are a lot safer, especially for newbies. Of course, this does come at a slight cost to energy density and weight.
For optimal flight time and performance, it is important to know how to choose the most suitable battery. If you don't know how to choose a drone battery, then it's best to simply take a look at the battery selection guide below. We'll help you learn how to choose the right battery for your drone from different perspectives.
The first thing to consider is the physical size of the battery. You need to be able to fit a battery of a certain size depending on the drone you are using. And in order to get the maximum flight time, you would probably use the maximum capacity battery, which you may be able to do that, but it still needs to maintain at the maximum takeoff weight of your drone.
The capacity of a battery, measured in milliamp hours (mAh), determines how long your drone can fly on a single charge. Higher capacity batteries generally provide longer flight times but can be bulkier and heavier.
The voltage of the battery is also an important feature that allows your drone motors to give more power while flying. The higher the voltage, the heavier the battery. And you need to check the motor thrust data table first and compare your drone motor efficiency with it. At the same time, you also need to verify that the motor supports a specific battery number and voltage range. It is most appropriate to maximize the selection of high voltages that do not exceed the voltage range required by the motors.
The discharge rate is also known as the C rating. This rating helps the users understand the maximum current the battery can discharge without damaging itself. These numbers are generally considered a good measure of quality. When it comes to a battery, the one with a higher C rating usually offers you better performance. It allows the motors to produce maximum power for the drone within the reasonable and safe range.
But you need to know one thing. If you install a battery that has a higher discharge rate, then your drone will definitely become heavier because the weight of the battery unit will increase. As a result, your drone's overall flight time will be reduced.
Therefore, before buying the battery you need to look at the specifications of the drone motors first to see whether the battery you would buy will exceed its maximum rated current. The following is a simple formula for the battery:
Maximum Continuous Amp Draw = Battery Capacity X Discharge Rate
Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries are commonly used in drones due to their high energy density and lightweight. However, they require careful handling and maintenance to ensure safety and longevity.
Consider the number of charge and discharge cycles the battery can endure before its performance degrades significantly. A longer cycle life means more flights before needing a replacement.
Finding a better, easier to use connector for the battery will save you a lot of trouble with drone batteries in the future. Not only do they give you an easy way to connect or disconnect your devices, but they also help owners create new drones in the future. The easy-to-operate connector allows you to use the same battery on your next drone, so you'd better choose compatible connectors.
The most important feature of the drone is its flight time, which enables it to fly. The flight time of the drone refers to the time that the drone battery can fly in the air on a single charge. Why can't you fly a drone for a long period of time, even with a proper battery charge. So, what are the factors that affect the flight time?
The capacity and type of a drone's battery directly affect its flight time. Larger batteries and higher milliamp ratings will allow drones to fly for longer periods of time as well as drone battery life.
Flight time is the most important factor in determining battery life. In general, the longer the flight time and the fewer times of recharges, the longer battery life will be.
Because of the chemical reaction inside the battery, heat will be generated. In a low temperature condition, the heat generated by the battery easily dissipates. Therefore, in cold weather conditions, additional or even external heat would be needed for the battery to maintain the chemical reaction and work. And when you fly your drone in areas of temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, the battery will drain fast.
The heavier the drone, the more energy it consumes, and the battery consumption will increase. Conversely, the lighter the weight of the drone, the better it performs in terms of flight light with the same battery. At the same time, it will reduce consumption and extend flight time.
Here are some tips to improve a drone’s flight time:
Sure, drone batteries are interchangeable, but they must meet a number of requirements. First look at the battery parameters. The battery's voltage, capacity and other relevant information should match the galvanic battery. Of course, if you want to use high-capacity batteries, you may need to modify your drone, however, it requires more specialized drone-related skills.
Batteries have been classified as dangerous goods. Incorrect carrying and using of batteries will cause fire. Carrying drone batteries on the plane must use the correct methods, and we mainly need to pay attention to the packaging and rate power of the battery.
Packaging
It is recommended to uninstall the batteries from your drone when packing and prepare a separated package to put all the drone batteries in. This should be done in case of an accident such as a battery fire or explosion, so that the staff can eliminate the fire or accident. Meanwhile, the packaging of the battery should try not to be too soft. You need to ensure as little pressure as possible is applied to the battery to keep the possibility of mechanical failure as low as possible.
Battery energy
In general, the energy of the battery is a key point that cannot be ignored. It determines whether or not you can get the batteries on the plane and how many batteries you can take on the plane.
a.Batteries rated for less than 100Wh.
A regular-size lithium battery rated less than 100 Wh can be carried on the plane and there is no limit to the number of batteries. The premise is that the batteries and drones are for personal (including professional) use. Batteries intended for resale or distribution do not meet these restrictions.
b. Batteries rated for 101Wh to 160Wh.
Larger and higher capacity drone batteries have more limitations, and when your batteries are rated at 101wh-160 Wh, you can only take two of them on the plane. And LIPO batteries with more than 100 Wh packed in checked baggage require approval from the airline.
c. Batteries rated for more than 160Wh.
Batteries more than 160Wh are not allowed on the plane.
These include reduced flight times, swelling, visible damage, difficulty maintaining a charge, etc. Replacing the battery is advised in case any of these problems arise to alleviate a potential safety risk.
Batteries will naturally become warm while charging or under high use. Still, if they are becoming very hot, it may indicate a problem. You must check the usage of your charger and check if it is damaged. If an alerted battery becomes too hot to touch, discontinue use with the battery and look inside for possible defects.