Battery for a quadcopter

Quadcopters have recently become very popular in the tech world. These flying devices can not only perform surveillance but also serve as air couriers. Furthermore, they can easily be misused by criminals.

Unfortunately, the quadcopter battery leaves much to be desired. The battery life on a single charge barely reaches 30-35 minutes. And this applies to models priced between 70,000 and 120,000 rubles. Those selling for 5,000-10,000 rubles last only 5-10 minutes on a single charge. After that, the battery needs to be recharged.

How to choose a battery for a quadcopter?

First, you need to roughly calculate all the parameters. To do this, use an online quadcopter battery calculator or download the appropriate program to your PC. Then, simply enter the initial data and the output will show you the information you need.

Now let's look at the most popular quadcopter batteries. These are essentially lithium-polymer batteries, or Li-Po.

Positive qualities

1. Low self-discharge.
2. Thickness starts from 1 mm.
3. Unlike others, it has a larger mass with the same weight. capacity.
4. Due to the high voltage, fewer cells connected in series can be used in production. The voltage of these batteries is 3.6-3.7 volts.

Negative qualities

1. High cost.
2. The aging process occurs rapidly. It begins during production. Due to the oxidation of the electrolyte, it constantly loses its energy value. capacity. That's why internal resistanceincreases and it quickly fails.
3. It's extremely fire-hazardous. When mechanically damaged, the lithium plates touch, causing a short circuit. This, in turn, causes a fire.

Dimensions and weight

To replace a battery on a typical quadcopter, you need to find a battery that fits into the correct compartment.

Remember! The total takeoff weight of the quadcopter including the battery must not be exceeded! The higher the power reserve, the better the flight performance!

By placing the battery outside the compartment and not in the center, you risk imbalance, damage to the battery pack, and increased air resistance.

The structure of a lithium polymer battery for a quadcopter

The battery consists of several parts connected in series. This arrangement is required to generate a certain current. As a result, capacityThe voltage remains constant, but the current increases. A single block contains several cells, designated by the letter index S or serial.

There is a parallel and serial connectionblocks into a single unit. Parallel contact significantly increases capacity. To make 2000 mAh, simply connect two blocks. capacity1000 mAh each.

The letter index "P" marks the number of parallel blocks.

This means that if a quadcopter battery is called “1500 2s3p”, then it is an assembly of 6 cans with a capacity of 500 mAh 3.7 volts. In total, they will produce about 1500 mAh and 7.4 V.

Current output parameter

It's designated by the letter "C." This indicates how quickly the battery will discharge. For example, 10 C means it will run out in 1/10th of an hour, or 6 minutes.

Keep in mind that it's sensitive to high temperatures. When discharged quickly, the battery becomes very hot, which means it could explode or, at best, fail quickly. Also, be aware that a high "C" value will cause the quadcopter battery to drain quickly.

How much power do you need? To find out, you need to know your system's power consumption. You should also check the power consumption of your video camera and built-in lights.

Rough estimates

1. For some motors, 10 Amps is enough.
2. If you have 4 motors built in, they will require as much as 40 A. This is at maximum speed.
3. Let's say the quadcopter battery is 4000 mAh, then it will be 4 Ah and somewhere around 8 C or 1 ampere will be equal to 1000 mAh.
4. Multiply 4 Ah by 8 C to get 32
5. As a result, 32 is less than 40 A, so you will have to look for a battery with at least 5000 mAh.

Capacity parameters

Each quadcopter battery has an energy capacity. This is essentially the current that discharges the battery in one hour. As a result, a 2000 mAh battery will be completely consumed in one hour by a device consuming 2 Ah.

It should be remembered that if you take a battery with increased capacity, its weight will be higher than that of a battery with a lower capacity. Over time, a higher capacity will reduce flight time.

The balance level is within 75% of the maximum weight of the quadcopter.

For example, if your device can lift 1000 grams, and its actual weight with everything attached to it is 500 grams, then you should buy a battery weighing 200-250 grams.

Internal resistance

This parameter affects the current output, heating under load, and capacity of the quadcopter battery. The optimal operating temperature for a lithium-polymer battery cell is around 40°C (104°F). At this temperature, the resistance will be the lowest. An imbalance will cause the capacity to decrease and the internal resistance to increase.

Age-related changes also have a significant impact on the battery's resistance. The older the battery, the higher its resistance. As a result, at the end of its life, the battery will not be able to fully discharge its charge.

Basic safety requirements for charging lithium polymer batteries

Below are the basic rules:

1. Charge under supervision. Do not charge overnight.
2. There is no need to try to fast charge, it is better to charge at a speed of 1 C.
3. Don't recharge when the battery is hot or cold. The reason is simple: it could explode.
4. Avoid using power adapters with contacts and do not charge via your computer's USB port. Charging via a PC will be slow but safe. However, a power adapter can draw a large current and cause the quadcopter battery to overheat.

Quadcopter battery manufacturers

Let's list the most important brands of the companies.

• Thunder Power and Kokam are market leaders. The former manufactures batteries for medium-sized models, while the latter produces batteries for light-duty models.
• Turnigy Graphene is a company that produces good batteries for quadcopters at a low price, but with a high weight.
• Zippy Compact are quite good batteries.
• B-Grade – have a low cost and are suitable for beginner flights.
• Turnigy nano-tech – this company’s power supplies are of high quality.

Useful tips for consumers!

How do I know when it's time to land?

If you notice that there is 20% battery charge left, immediately look for a landing site.

How to transport quadcopter batteries?

Try to do everything possible to avoid mechanical damage. Simply wrap them in cloth. Keep them at room temperature. It's best to buy a fireproof bag; it will contain any antics your power source might have.

If I overcharged the battery, what should I do?

Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do; you've ruined it. The only thing left to do is take it to the recycling center.

How to dispose of it and when?

Recycling should begin when it's no longer needed. Check your city for specialized recycling bins. They're typically found in large stores and government buildings.

How to charge a new quadcopter battery?

It's best to perform several charge and discharge cycles from 0 to 100. You charge and discharge it completely to zero and then to 100. This should be done three times. This will increase the energy capacity. capacityand extend its lifespan.

Read more about the battery for the Phantom 3 quadcopter by following this link: https://battery-en.techinfus.com/batarejka-dlja-phantom-3