Spark Batteries – Real Scoop

[canalrun]

Hello,

I'm a hobbyist flyer. I just fly for fun – probably just around the backyard.

I wonder what the real scoop is on Spark batteries. I see a lot of information. Some of the information seems to be conflicting. For example, some places say discharge the battery when not in use, other places say the battery will automatically discharge after 10 days.

I don't plan on spending a significant amount of time maintaining my batteries. I have four batteries – it could very well be six weeks between uses of any particular battery. It could be six months as the Spark sits idle over the winter.

How much am I really losing by taking a casual approach to battery maintenance. Will the batteries immediately die? Will I just sacrifice some longevity?

If the batteries last a few years, that will probably be long enough.

Right now I plan to charge three batteries before use, but I may only run down one or two batteries and the other(s) will sit fully charged for several days or weeks.

Are the batteries a little more tolerant than they are given credit for?

Thanks,
Barry.

 

[suprPHREAK]

All DJI intelligent flight batteries are designed for self-protection. If left stored at a full charge, they will begin to self discharge after 10 days. It takes about a week to fully discharge after that, where they will remain at a safe voltage for quite some time.

There is no need to pre-discharge the batteries before storage. In fact, given the way they work I would suggest charging them up before putting it away. Let its own management system deal with things.

Leaving a battery for 6 weeks won't be an issue. I've had no issues with both Spark and Phantom batteries for much longer. That said, I think DJI recommends charging the batteries every 2-3 months just to keep them active.

As far as longevity they should be ok, with minimal losses over time like this. All batteries age, but I don't see much impact by following DJIs guidelines.

 

[beachcombing]

I wonder what the real scoop is on Spark batteries. I see a lot of information. Some of the information seems to be conflicting. For example, some places say discharge the battery when not in use.

Where are you reading this information about Spark batteries?

 

[canalrun]

Where are you reading this information about Spark batteries?

Mostly on this forum or from Internet searches. It's very likely that the things I have been reading are a mix of old and recent information.

 

[limesqueezy]

I know its best practice for LiPo batteries to be discharged over time and then fully charged. The charger and intelligent batteries manage this easily. Personally, I'm developing a flight checklist just like we used in the helicopter, that checklist starting with charging the batteries and inspecting the Spark the night before so we always start a session with charged batteries. It is not good for the LiPo batteries to be constantly trickle charged at 90+% and the DJI charger (no experience with others) manages that. Hope that helps.

 

[notime]

I know its best practice for LiPo batteries to be discharged over time and then fully charged. The charger and intelligent batteries manage this easily. Personally, I'm developing a flight checklist just like we used in the helicopter, that checklist starting with charging the batteries and inspecting the Spark the night before so we always start a session with charged batteries. It is not good for the LiPo batteries to be constantly trickle charged at 90+% and the DJI charger (no experience with others) manages that. Hope that helps.

How do you treat the batteries, charge/discharge, if you are not going to fly for a few months.