Hi All. New Spark owner here (no not another flyaway story...)
I have had my Spark since Christmas but have not yet flown her more than a few feet in the backyard. Still reading up and educating myself etc. first....
Anyway, I ordered a second battery. This new battery is very tight when attaching to the AC, to the point that you really need to push hard for it to latch. My initial thought was that it was faulty, because the battery that came with the AC fits easily and clicks in place with just a little pressure. When the new battery is connected it feels good and solid, but I am some what concerned that the added pressure may cause it to pop off at some point. Looking closely at the two latches on either side of the battery you can see there is a definate difference in size between the original battery and the one I just ordered. Remember these are new batteries and the one that came with the AC is only a few weeks old, so it shouldn't be down to wear and tear. I  have read of a similar issues elsewhere, but think that was down to an older battery or after a crash. Has anyone else noticed the variation in required pressure to properly latch their individual batteries?

To be clear, the tighter of the two batteries has the longer latching tabs

Interesting, I wonder if they changed the design of the tabs to help prevent battery pop-outs?

Fenit, do not feel worry about it. If the new battery is solid connected with your spark, it won't pop out. We would not recommend users continue to use spark when it crashes before.

Hmmmm,  I don’t notice an immediate difference in the pictures.  I also wonder if a hush hush change was rolled out.

Oracle Miata Posted at 2018-1-9 19:27
Hmmmm,  I don’t notice an immediate difference in the pictures.  I also wonder if a hush hush change was rolled out.

Take a closer look at the two black triangular shaped locking tabs. One extends further out then the other and there is a significant difference in pressure required to push in and latch the two batteries.

Now I can’t unsee it.

Same issue with my new battery that pops out, which was probably old stock.  The battery that pops out has the shorter tabs.

Interesting!
I have 4 batteries, one that came with the spark and 3 I bought more recently; just checked and I have 3 with the larger latches and one with the smaller.
Will power up in a bit and check it the smaller latch one is my original.

DJI Elektra Posted at 2018-1-9 19:03
Fenit, do not feel worry about it. If the new battery is solid connected with your spark, it won't pop out. We would not recommend users continue to use spark when it crashes before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZh0x_5J5XQ

So what do we do if our battery has the small tab and becomes loose over time? Is there a replacement program going to be put in place as this is clearly a defect due to the number of people having the battery pop out during flight.

just checked my batteries and the one with the smaller latches is the 1st spare battery I bought: production date 2017.6.18, battery that came with the spark is large latch production date: 2017.5.17.
None of them seem to exhibit the issue shown in the other thread about unlatching without using the release buttons.

The battery that pops out, small tabs, has a production date: 2017-7
The battery that does not pop out, large tabs, has a production date: 2017-9
Not seeing a day when checking the production date in DJI Go 4

I have 3 batteries ,the one bought with spark have smaller latches . Hmm

Wear and tear on the springs? I think the latches are the same length but those spring could have weaken with use and doesn't push the latches up enough compared to newer ones

Both my batteries are less than a month old, so I doubt it is a issue with the springs. The tension on the springs also feels the same to me. The battery that came with the Spark happens to have the shorter tabs as others have noted.

Where did you buy the second battery?

Adorama. They specialize in camera equipment here in the States and  are a authorized dealer for DJI.

Bought my SparkFiles

Shade220 Posted at 2018-1-10 08:50
The battery that pops out, small tabs, has a production date: 2017-7
The battery that does not pop out, large tabs, has a production date: 2017-9
Not seeing a day when checking the production date in DJI Go 4

I'm using an iphone with latest app, it provides day, month and year.

Viking-Pilot Posted at 2018-1-11 05:00
Where did you buy the second battery?

All my equipment came direct from DJI so they are all genuine.

Interesting you should bring this up. I just received a new spare battery and have noticed the same thing: it requires a lot more pressure to snap into place than the batteries I received with the Fly More Combo. Both were ordered from Adorama Photo in NYC. The new battery definitely does not appear to be a 3rd party item.

djiuser_1E2tlrU Posted at 2018-1-11 06:33
Bought my SparkFiles

Unable to edit my goofed up post.
What I was saying, is that I bought my Spark last week, and both stock bateries have the longer tabs and hold very firm, seems like DJI did a stealth fix.
Recently watched a short video that showed some batteries wont even lock in at all. They seem to click in, but come right out with a little tug.
Glad they fixed it.

I would say it's very likely DJI that did a stealth fix.  Kinda shady IMO.  I have multiple tiny latch batteries and its concerning if DJI felt the need to change the design without issuing a recall.

I came across this clamp at Aliexpress. So there seems to be a market for losse batteries...

See this recent thread https://forum.dji.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=128504

I checked all three of mine, the latches all extend fully.  two came with the spark combo bought in July 17, the other bought in august 17.  

Malakai_UK Posted at 2018-1-10 08:23
So what do we do if our battery has the small tab and becomes loose over time? Is there a replacement program going to be put in place as this is clearly a defect due to the number of people having the battery pop out during flight.

If the part becomes loose, please shoot a video for further check. And we would recommend users mount the battery correctly before flight. Please start a case and provide us the case number when your battery goes wrong and cause accident. We will follow the case and find out the problem. Thanks for your attention.

DJI Elektra Posted at 2018-1-16 01:48
If the part becomes loose, please shoot a video for further check. And we would recommend users mount the battery correctly before flight. Please start a case and provide us the case number when your battery goes wrong and cause accident. We will follow the case and find out the problem. Thanks for your attention.

Wait, you are saying i need to wait for an accident to occur before you will do anything?
I would rather not do this. If the catch starts failing and you have already released a revised version of the battery with an updated catch, surely you would be liable to replace the poorly designed ones before an accident occurs.
I checked my three batteries, they are all small catch versions and i notice one of them on one side the catch is already worn down. It still clips in but how long it will last I don't know.

DJI Elektra Posted at 2018-1-16 01:48
If the part becomes loose, please shoot a video for further check. And we would recommend users mount the battery correctly before flight. Please start a case and provide us the case number when your battery goes wrong and cause accident. We will follow the case and find out the problem. Thanks for your attention.

DJI Elektra Posted at 2018-1-16 01:48
Please start a case and provide us the case number when your battery goes wrong and cause accident. We will follow the case and find out the problem.


Are you serious?

I received a new battery this morning and after seeing this I have compared the latch to my old ones.  The new one is noticeably bigger. There has defo been a design change behind closed doors to combat the battery drop out issue which is a good thing!

But lets be real... pre flight check should always include a check that the battery is secure? So if your battery is not latching log a case with support .

Chazzw Posted at 2018-1-16 05:37
I received a new battery this morning and after seeing this I have compared the latch to my old ones.  The new one is noticeably bigger. There has defo been a design change behind closed doors to combat the battery drop out issue which is a good thing!

But lets be real... pre flight check should always include a check that the battery is secure? So if your battery is not latching log a case with support .

Yes this is part of my normal pre-flight, checking the battery is secure etc but for a DJI Admin to say to wait for an accident to occur then open a case is absurd.
The one battery I have that has a worn catch on one side, at the moment it still sits fairly securely, I can see its going to wear out in the future so its not if, its when! What it if fails mid flight?

I have seen cases on here where people have lost aircraft permanently and all they see in the flight record is that everything is ok then sudden loss of communication similar to the battery disconnecting. DJI have then refused to refund or replace because they couldn't get the drone back.

DJI need to take ownership of this and offer up some kind of replacement program. I don't mind if they just replace the catch with the newer version and ship me my original battery back. I don't want to have to wonder every time I fly if my battery is going to pop out because the catch has worn too much.

BlueBox Posted at 2018-1-11 07:02
All my equipment came direct from DJI so they are all genuine.

Ok just checking, then they (DJI) should respond properly for that

El Diablo Posted at 2018-1-16 05:23
Stop complaining... WHEN the accident occurs, just shoot a video and get your 30% of discount to buy a new Spark! WHAT part of what Elektra is saying is not clear???

ps. We should bring a GoPro together with the Spark when flying to be able to film whatever unexpected issues as when the problem is battery related the Spark obviously runs out of power so no video recording...

You are being sarcastic yes!?

El Diablo Posted at 2018-1-18 06:26
Of course...

phew lol

This is not directed to anyone in general.

If the battery falls out due to a design issue, raise a case, if it doesn't...keep flying.  It really is that simple.

Why on earth would DJI announce to the world that there has been a small design change and have every Tom, Richard, or Harry demanding a replacement?
--
Richard was added as the swear filter did not allow me to write the shortened version of the name

Hello Fenit2000,

dont be worried that the aftermarket battery for the spark have this tight feel, this is a normal fabrication issue, the first batch of batteries manufactured for the DJI spark that comes with the unit was made using a earlier fab process which is normal for manufacturing. As a product mature or gets released for production or be released commercially aftermarket parts will be manufactured for support to the products, the manufacturer have 2 option Subcon or Inhouse.

The 1st DJI spark batteries are produced Inhouse (which means they are made by DJI) that is
why it fits perfectly to the spark.

the aftermarket batteries are produced by Subcon(which means DJI asked a third party company
to manufacture specific products for them in this case the battery) . this is why the aftermarket
spark battery have a tight feeling makes it feel its not made by DJI(in reality it is not but its authentic)

Reason for this is manufacturers focus on new market and instead pay third party manufacturers
to continue existing product manufacturing. this gives them more resource on new product
developments.

mallowsthecat Posted at 2018-1-18 23:54
Hello Fenit2000,

dont be worried that the aftermarket battery for the spark have this tight feel, this is a normal fabrication issue, the first batch of batteries manufactured for the DJI spark that comes with the unit was made using a earlier fab process which is normal for manufacturing. As a product mature or gets released for production or be released commercially aftermarket parts will be manufactured for support to the products, the manufacturer have 2 option Subcon or Inhouse.

may i ask if the battery warranty of 6 months is to be extended when a fault to be found with the premature ware of these inferior clips?