DJI Drone Battery Care and Maintenance Guide

The care of your DJI Drone batteries is incredibly important as they are a necessary component of your drones operation, and are quite expensive!
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Outro music:
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[@marctrainor5595]

Billy, I just want to give you a pat on the back. I watch a lot of drone videos and other videos, and honestly, I think you are one of the better speakers and presenters on them. Dude, you're a natural for this stuff. I've been a musician all of my life, and it's only in the last 4 or 5 years that I feel I've really made an improvement in my speech on stage. You've got a clear and concise voice and plenty of enthusiasm, and, something very important also. You always seem to have done your homework. You always seem to be prepared for your presentations, and in this case, even using notes on your iPad. Good job...., young man, and keep up the good work. Marc T.

[@dji1tommy29]

Not something I would normally think about. Thanks to you and ReadySetDrone for battery tip videos👍

[@shsechas]

Even though I don't have a DJI. I do take the seriousness of caring for LIPO batteries. I have the Evo and appreciate that you went over all the safety issues. It just reminded to charge up my old Holy Stone drone batteries that I haven't used for 5 months now. Thanks.

[@dextercampbell796]

right on Billy, thank you for another awesome badass episode, I can already say I took a few tips off of this video and I'm definitely going to apply these thanks again Buddy, greets from California 🤙✌

[@RonaldBrown59]

Great tips for taking care of your battery. And taking care of your battery's is an important part of the hobby.

[@CodyCarr]

Nice informative video my man! Just got the Mavic 2 today so this is all good to know! thanks for sharing this. Can't wait to get this bird in the air for my channel!

[@PaddyStubbs70]

I recently bought a MA2 (my first DJI). Really useful information, presented in a lucid style. Thanks for sharing. Just subscribed and hit bell.👍🤝😎

[@MrYnwa4life]

Hi Billie, thanks for the tips! My drone has been idling for 2 months now since the lockdown, n yeah, was quite worried for the batteries. Glad to come across ur vid! Thanks once again! Just subscribed to ur channel & looking forward to watch ur videos!

[@DazUK81]

Same here with flying in the UK the weather is not good ATM

[@simonblackburn8741]

Thanks, that cleared up a few questions I had, Billy!

[@user-jn4qf5hq4i]

Great info. I bought my DJI Air 2S about 18 months ago with the Fly More package that included 3 batteries. However, I've hardly flown it which has made me concerned about the physical condition of the batteries. This video has been very helpful to me and I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate this and many of your other videos.

[@FUTheycallmeMikey]

Great Video, everything relevant without analysis paralysis.👍

[@gofer23mw]

Thank you for making the video I noticed the other day that my battery will pop back out on my Mavic pro two I just now looked and I have three batteries that are swollen I almost lost my drone thanks for the video thank you for making my video

[@perrybryant4976]

Great video Billy. You should also do one on charging the various controllers. I know they don't discharged as quickly as the batteries, but i think it would be good to know the proper way to care for the controller and when to charge it. Take care and stay safe.

[@treysals]

I agree. I normally wait until it's around 20 some percent and then charge it all the way up, and sometimes it will sit charged for a couple weeks or more.

[@TalonNismo]

Use the feature to charge up your half dead phone to discharge it down to 30%

[@jasonjohn8591]

All the info I needed. Thank you

[@SultanBudiman]

thank you for tips and sharing. its useful

[@JohnCuppi]

Good video, many people don’t understand Lipo care. The worst tip/myth I see online is to drain lipo batteries down as much as possible - huge mistake with lipos!

[@billykyle]

Thanks Cuppi, long time no talk, how ya been?

[@JohnCuppi]

Billy Kyle oh just you know the usual delivering TP in the pandemic to my neighbors with the Mavic that kinda thing.

[@billykyle]

😂

[@JohnCuppi]

Billy Kyle in all seriousness pretty worried about my parents in NJ. Tri state area is a mess. Glad I’m not living there right now since I’m in mid America where this hasn’t hit hard yet but at the same time... stay safe man.

[@homero0980]

Thank you, GREAT info! 👌

[@jerrystanley1211]

I liked your tip on how to tell if a battery has swollen. I will check all my battery’s and make sure they set flat on a table. If any of them rock when I push down with my finger on top of them, they will properly be disposed of and replaced. Thank-You for the Info!

[@billykyle]

No worries! Glad I could help👍🏻

[@abracadabra3814]

Crucial information Thx for sharing!

[@tinksrc8980]

Awesome! Thanks bud.

[@kbiv3000]

I have 3 swollen Air 2s batteries. Thanks for the information. I will take better care of my next batteries.

[@faltermedia]

Super helpful! Thanks for sharing.

[@tomriccobono674]

Thanks Bill. Your channel Is the best

[@23lboogz]

Great information, 2 of my 3 batteries are swelling in my M2 but still produce normal voltage signs in all 4 cells & still give long flight times. I’ll definitely be replacing them soon , thanks.

[@randomnav]

Typical DJI batteries.

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

A buddy of mine made a suitcase which keeps my drone batteries warm (between 20 and 30 degrees) when its freezing outside. Its great.

[@tanyelbaykut35]

Fantastic video! Thanks a lot

[@stevenmototravelvlog]

just sharing my experience....!!! I've been using 3 DJI battery's for already 2 years and they have already 170 and up cycles but none of them ever got boated or anything same flight time and same as new physically....all i do is that when i charge this 3 battery's i must use them within 24 hours then when i store them i usually have 20% left...i also set my discharge time to 3 days....also i never left a fully charge battery unused for more than 2 days....that my strict rule i set myself. >__< ...but its worth it :D...never change my battery since :)

[@Lynx-vi3bi]

DJI doesn't recommend storing at 20%.. I'd recommend storing at 40% ;o but if it's working for you then thats great :D

[@mlane2012]

Thanks for the comment. Great advice.

[@laaganfeels7595]

Will follow your guide dude. Thanks for this

[@thelonehellyranger01]

Stevenry Yrog-irog Hey Good Sir ... how do you set your battery to discharge inn3 days ??

[@anonymous134y]

@@thelonehellyranger01 you can't on mavic air so you probably can't on most drones that came out before it. Just turn your drone on and run it to 2dots after use. I usually fly my drone and bring it back 20%-30% then don't charge it if I don't need to. So this discharge function isn't actually needed as much in real-world scenarios as you would think. If you charged up 3 before the day and use 2 then you would only need to discharge 1.

[@scdronemedia]

Thank you Billy. Excellent video

[@billykyle]

You're welcome Steve!

[@jylogura]

Great tips. I got a Mavic 2 Pro in December and love it. I fly in Japan. I’ve been very careful with the batteries. I try to treat them as carefully as I would treat the quad itself. I heard an interesting tip was not to watch the battery percentage, but rather pay attention to the voltage of each cell. The reason being that percentage is not an accurate reading of the performance of the battery. It can suddenly go down depending on the conditions. By looking at the voltage you’ll get a more accurate reading of the health of the battery while in flight and its energy needs. With that in mind, it’s suggested that you never let the cells go below 3.6 volts. This prevents the battery from overwork and helps extend the life of the cells. Doing this from my own experience, I end up consistently ending my flight at around 25-20% and with an average of of 23-minutes of flight time. FYI: I just rotate two batteries.

[@saschabrandt8553]

New fan from South Africa, thanks for the great info 👍😀

[@stefanpetersen9249]

Great information as usual keep up your good job

[@billykyle]

Thanks!

[@yinshantang]

You look great, smart and clean-cut!

[@billykyle]

Thanks🙌🏼

[@thelonehellyranger01]

Thanks great Job

[@UFOSPACEMAN]

This guy is so professional!

[@janbger2522]

Great information, Thank you

[@billykyle]

You're welcome Jan👌🏻

[@colemclester7268]

Dry subject, but you did it well. Thank you.

[@FPVLeviticus]

I had no idea of battery swelling thank you for this video.

[@billykyle]

No problem! Glad you were able to take something away from the video👍🏻

[@FPVLeviticus]

@@billykyle is this giveaway a scam?

[@vmadvin]

The advice was good 😌

[@mlane2012]

Thank you for the info.

[@billykyle]

You're welcome👍🏻

[@allanwighton6236]

Good information, thank you. However, there is a place for battery bags/pouches and that is when travelling abroad by flight. In the UK , it is a CAA pre-requisite to have lithium batteries correctly packaged for safe flight on a passenger airliner. I take the Mavic Air with me abroad whenever it is legal to do so. I have also flown in sub zero temperatures in the Falklands and in Norway and have found that if you put the drone into a low hover without any stick input and watch the battery in DJI Go 4 reach about 22 degrees C (takes about one minute) and then fly without being too harsh on the sticks, which can cause sudden voltage spikes, your battery and drone flight will be safe. Keep up the good content. 🤟

[@bluegrassdroneguy3495]

Thank you Billy K

[@billykyle]

No problem Dale!

[@jonathanandrews6077]

Great arrival was wondering what was the best way to look after the batteries

[@michaelcilenti8653]

Great video as usual, my question is in the app the charge count that you see. Is there a discharge % that the battery needs to drop to or any time you charge to 100% will that count go up by one count.

[@joelb4534]

Hi Billy and thanks for all you working. The battery Dji Mavic 2 and Dji Mavic 2 Enterprise are the same battery. I have both Zoom and Enterprise and batteries are identical. This must be in radio control application and the drone that all changes.

[@therealjimmy5411]

Good info. But an FYI all of my Mavic Air batteries have some front to back wobble, but it's because the "feet" numbs on the bottom of the battery are shorter on the terminal side than the other end. So it's important to pick the battery up, turn it over and look at the seams of the printer area as you hold it eye level the seams should make parallel lines as you tilt and then return to flat at eye level. If there is a bulge you will see the lines not come together but you will see the arch of the bulge. Harder to explain than to just do my test.

[@gabess]

I’ve been watching u ever since before the mavic mini and just want to say keep up the great content

[@billykyle]

Thank's for the feedback!

[@gabess]

@@billykyle 👍🏼

[@tongheng6693]

Thanks for sharing this useful tip and I have another question ‘Should we recharge our battery after using or should recharge before flight?’. I am asking this question cos some people said ‘Don’t recharge your battery and keep it’

[@sudburydrone466]

Great tips. One thing. How many cycles could I expect for my Mavic 2 pro. your bubble batteries are a round 100 ?

[@andrewsphotography2843]

Very helpful information as usual. Don't know if you mentioned this in the video.... How did your three batteries become swollen? Too old, often used....?

[@thesmartbill]

I had exact same problems thanks bro!

[@billykyle]

No problem man👍🏻

[@timworrell5144]

Nice thanks

[@ddtlaw]

Hey Billy, I agree that using drone batteries as phone chargers makes no sense, but there have been times when I charged my zoom batteries to 100% in anticipation of a flight and then something came up making the flight impossible, so rather than storing a fully charged battery, I used the little DJI "turn your battery into a charger" gizmo to plug into something like a phone or iPad just to discharge the battery down to 50% before storing it. What are your thoughts on that?

[@dreswan1]

Excellent!

[@billykyle]

Thank you!

[@sutv6754]

Thanks Billy. You are my go to guy and your videos are to the point and just great. Question you did not address. What made you batteries swell up like that? Why do batteries get swollen?

[@billykyle]

Thank you! I have heard that around the time I bought my batteries DJI was having some apparent manufacturing issues. A lot of people also report their batteries have swollen when comparing similar purchase dates.

[@GOCA-NIKOLA-TRAVEL]

👍 *INTERESTING VIDEO* 👍

[@KamerenB]

I was more worried about my own errors of maintenance. This video gave me a little confidence that I’ve been doing some of the right things. If I got all my batteries at the same time how do I label them? That’s where I’m falling short

[@ayongkot]

some of my batteries swells only after flying or when heat. i labelled them so i can cycle its usage. helpful video.

[@billykyle]

Labeling is key👌🏻

[@kenduejones]

Good info 😎😎

[@charlesa.abbottiii9635]

Hi Billy ! Excellent job on battery care, I having a hard time finding a battery for my Eachine . Where is the best place to buy one or two ?

[@randallweist7638]

Hey Billy, one of my Phantom 4 batteries was in storage and won’t charge up. Is there anyway to recover that battery or is it dead forever?

[@myparadiseonbantayanisland9030]

Have you seen the videos on how to relieve the gas causing the swelling. They just pin prick the silver foil and they deflate and will continue to function and your drone will show remaining charge so no need to worry about using de-gassed batteries.

[@blackydon]

Great.

[@belovedLion80]

I can dig it

[@kraggman]

Very thorough video Billy. What is DJI's stance on the swelling battery issue ?? I read on a forum that in Aug-Sep 2018 a bad batch of batteries got out. If so maybe replacements will be provided.

[@billykyle]

I'll have to give it a try.

[@jackheffelfinger2372]

What kind of tape did you use on the battery to mark charge cycles? Awesome vid!

[@billykyle]

Made by scotch, don't know the name... sorry

[@brysonmiller7690]

Great content! I’m wondering: do the intelligent batteries discharge down to 40-50%? What percentage do they discharge to?

[@INTELMAXELL]

65

[@salk007]

Hi this is a very helpful video you have shared for dji drone users. I was looking for is that after the batteries have discharged to 20% or so, do we remove them from the charging hub and store it away, specially if we don't use the drone for months. I only use drone when i go on vacation in six months or a year so dont use the drone regularly. If you can answer this would be helpful and appreciate this.

[@ScottMProductions29]

Hay Billy another great vid, just a question about the batteries, does all this info count towards the Mavic mini batteries as they are lithium ion as apposed to lithium polymer? Just curious as I am a mini flyer. Cheers keep the excellent vids and stay safe.

[@mymgb238]

Good question

[@thepenmen22]

From what I read, Mavic Mini batteries are less intelligent (even though they cost $45??), and do not discharge themselves. You need to manually do that.

[@waddac2]

Is it safe to always keep a battery in my Mavic Air 2 while left in storage bag/case or does this drain the battery if not planning to fly for a while?

[@The4eyedk9]

I have an Evo 1...but I'm assuming all these smart batteries are similar. My question is: If I store my batteries at 25-40% charge for an extended time... do they stay at that charge? Or will I need to charge them up to 40% again every few weeks/months? And if so, do I only charge them back to 40% or all the way back to 100%?

[@theonejp8907]

I got a Mavic air 2 and one of the batteries are a little wobbly but not a lot. Should it be ok to use?

[@hirschheisstdermann]

lel - My Mavic 1 Pro still operates all 3 batteries that came with the "Fly More Combo". 80 loading cyles everage. 20 mins. no problem, and land them at 20%. And if you don't know when you'll fly your drone again, charge all of them to full, and set each to 1 day auto-discharge.

[@davidjayamazingkitesurferp3819]

I have so much fun watching your videos from day one on youtube; Because you make some really good points and miss alot of the more important ones; I live only doing battery maintanance flight and live broadcasting doing shout outs to you on face book; you and ken Heron; man are you missing alot of pionts on this video big time and all i know i learned on facebook i guess?

[@davidjayamazingkitesurferp3819]

point #1 always screen shot battery page before take off; nobody does this! Then if possible mid flight; and one screan shot before landing and another after landing ; super inportant;

[@davidjayamazingkitesurferp3819]

only charge battery as close to take off as possible; you want them fully charged as short of time possible

[@davidjayamazingkitesurferp3819]

never consider battery precentage correct; only cell voltage is acceptable ; under 3.7volts in flght is landing now; i do not care if it says 45%

[@davidjayamazingkitesurferp3819]

I live doing these battery maintanance flight and could easly put up 100 rules;

[@davidjayamazingkitesurferp3819]

Ispire 2 from DJI says 15min flight time and under 3.7volts is landing now;

[@reecestacey8]

Hi Billy, hey i'm waiting on my Mavic Air 2 to arrive Wednesday but i"m still unsure, when i put first battery in and do the first update on the Air 2, then do i put each battery in and do update again?

[@gboy888]

2 of my 4 official DJI Mavic Air batteries have swollen and actually snapped opened the casing. Sad thing is that they only lasted around 40 flights and cost around $75.

[@FreckyB]

So did the swelling occur just due to age? Is there anything you can do to prevent this?

[@chrisl6263]

My mavic pro battery I've had discharge to 30% but I recharged them as I monitor them occasionally. Mine are set to 10 days. Also my remote discharges slowly too...

[@PJ-po1dk]

I dont know if I missed the explanation of how 2, 3 and 4 are swollen but what did you do wrong for 2, 3 and 4 to swell? I know you mentioned how they pop out when being placed into the drone even with force and how the bottom shows the swelling on battery 3 compared to battery 5.

[@cmj0929]

The Mavic 2 pro batteries had a bad batch if you contact DJI they’ll send you new ones

[@disposablefiend]

What flight management software do you use Billy Kyle?

[@21sungalute.42]

Billy, at the risk of asking a stupid question when it comes to putting a M2P away for a few months what would be preferable, to fold it up box it & leave on a shelf or leave it on the shelf unfolded and with battery in place or removed? Thanks upfront, getting 'schooled' by someone who has decades on me is sobering but thankful none the less.

[@markthomas8018]

how long can I store them without needing to re-charge, such as during Winter please?

[@benbarth7198]

Is there currently a way to Change the battery settings for the mavic mini? Or can I download the DJI go app and do it through that?

[@iennternet]

If I fly my drone every few days/weeks should I charge my battery after flying and leave it with full charge or should i just charge it shortly before flying?

[@ozkar_fpv]

Hi Billy, if i want to store the battery for quite a long time as i bought a new drone should i charge them first to around about 40-50%? Thanks

[@toddbloomingdale5634]

I didn't see this mentioned, but where or how to dispose batteries that are taken out of service?

[@mymgb238]

Good question

[@MelvinAlc]

I just I pleaded my battery completely so I suppose to recharge for storage ?

[@Gooffeeman]

does the Mavic Mini battery auto dischagre too?

[@bryanbuff]

Mavic Mini uses Lithium Ion (vs the Li-Po batteries on the other drones), so they don’t need to auto-discharge. One advantage of the Li-Ion batteries is that hold their charge much longer when not in use.

[@pochanSarith]

Dji Marvic Air, my first drone! and i don't keep my batteries well then it swollen and i never use that swollen anymore! Question: After that those batteries (swollen) never use for long time now it come to normal it flat not swollen anymore, is it useable?

[@jburddrone7202]

Good info Billy!

[@erbartlett]

Do you have any tips for people with Mavic Airs since the battery got discontinued? I’m pretty shocked that my drone may effectively be useless even through it flies perfectly well since I can’t find any new batteries. Makes me nervous to invest in DJI again

[@--JohnDoe]

I would definetly open those puffed batteries, find the size of cells they used ie 18650 and replace the cells. Leave them in storage charge if you want em to last.

[@juliejain8920]

Is the battery auto discharge feature available for the mavic mini ?

[@albertmcpherson7745]

When you transport your drone, is it ok to leave a battery plugged into the drone or always remove the battery?

[@BrentStrathdeePehi]

I need to store my drone for 9-12 months . What tips should I observe for safe storage regarding battery life ?

[@billykyle]

Drain them to 50-60% and put them in a LiPo bag

[@p42once1]

I just bought the mini 2 (first real drone) and only got one battery. I tend to unplug the battery from the drone when storing them to practice good battery care. Am i doing the right thing or is it better for the self discharge thing to be plugged in the drone?

[@aaronpower24]

The only drone I've have is the mavic pro. All though I don't get enough time to fly it the 3 battery's are doing well for a 4 years old drone. Do you still fly your mavic pro drone any more.

[@billykyle]

Sometimes I take it out for a spin, I am mainly using my Pro 2, though.

[@na1du]

Are these battery option also available on DJI Fly App?

[@blooskyy7]

Hi, I'm interested to know your thoughts on DJI batteries. I think the flight battery is the weak point with any DJI drone, as Lipos have a short lifespan and when DJI stop producing them, which I believe they have for the Mavic Pro, the drone essentially becomes unusable. Do you know if there are any third party batteries which will work reliably? Thanks

[@SulaimanASK]

What is better: Storing the battery inside the drone or keeping it outside?

[@jackbn9353]

Ideal storage for LiPo cells is about 3.8volts per cell. How do we do this with DJI batteries?