BobbyB Posted at 2015-6-19 13:19
Wait...they make extra batteries?

I got 2 with my P3A, but when Best Buy advertised genuine Phantom batteries at 90 bucks, I figured what the heck, & got a 3rd. I have found though, most of the time running through 2 batteries is enough on an average .

Curious what happened to my post in #185?
I had tried to correct an error, and it got hijacked... Haha

What I said was;
I presently have four, but now, may buy a couple or even a few more in the near future.
http://forum.dji.com/thread-65168-1-1.html
Because with this new Nanuk 945 case, I will have suitablely sized compartments to house three more batt's, comfortably.
So now I can carry 7 into the flight field. ;-)

RedHotPoker

There are a lot of 'deals' on batteries from EBay, are these really genuine and usable batteries or just a waste of money?
Examples: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4480mA ... :g:OEAAAOSwx2dYEu4Q
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LiPo-B ... :g:HBMAAOSwvzRX0MsM

I only have the battery that came with my P3S, obviously I need more than that and don't want to spend good money on something that may not actually be worth it!

Only buy genuine OEM DJI intelligent flight batteries.

As some counterfeit packs won't work, after a recent firmware update, which stops them from operating in the updated Phantoms.


RedHotPoker

I prefer to rotate mine, in flight use. Keeping them circulating through their systematic wear.

RedHotPoker

AlecW Posted at 2017-1-21 15:08
Yeah I do that with the 3 that I baby.  The yard one rarely leaves the house and I don't expect it to last as long as the other 3.

How do you carry your flight kit? Have a DJI hardshell backpack here and the Nanuk 945 hard side case.
With either, I can easily carry all four of my packs, which ever case I use.  
Looking into acquiring a couple more flight packs soon too. ;-)

RedHotPoker

AlecW Posted at 2017-1-21 18:06
Manfrotto D1

Yeah, those are nice backpacks. Room for a dslr too.
https://www.manfrotto.us/d1-backpack-for-dji-phantom-mb-bp-d1
I never knew about them, until after I already had my DJI backpack. ;-)
Would have been an awesome choice.

RedHotPoker

For my Phantom 4 I have 4 batteries that get me around 72 minutes of useable flight time. For my Inspire two I have 8 batteries with about 80 minutes of usable flight time. I generally fly them down to 12-14% then start heading in for a landing. If I'm flying at greater distances or high winds, I'll start heading in at 18-20%. I've only hit 10% once while still trying to get a shot. I was able to meet it half way and catch it.

@AlecW, That's awesome. All three of my Badlands Packs have camel back water resovoirs and sipping tubes in them, very handy.
http://badlandspacks.com
It's good to stay well hydrated in our RC flying and hunting fields. ;-)

RedHotPoker

They are on sale at Walmart. 2 for 205!

I have two p3s and four batteries.

Paul419 Posted at 2017-1-22 13:35
They are on sale at Walmart. 2 for 205!

That's a great price, but Are those actual DJI Phantom 3 intelligent flight batteries, or a 3rd party maker?



RedHotPoker

I have ordered a spare from DJI.  I will wait and see how I feel about having two batteries before laying out the cash for a third.  And by the way...I read something here about only aloowing your battery to go down to 50% for the first 20 flights????    Did I miss this memo somewhere?  Is that a real thing?

Yes, easy break in period, first  20 flights. & It has been strongly "suggested" that you deep cycle after every 10 full charges. Which can been counted in the app itself.

Some folks here beg to differ, and that's their perogative, to mistreat their flight packs. Ah but I would rely on info from DJI before taking instructions from the peanut gallery. Ha


RedHotPoker

4 and 2 more on order

Here is my P4

I have 2 Phantom 3 Pro's and 6 batteries

I have 3 batteries and a just arrived ARGtek antenna to be installed asap.

blackcrusader Posted at 2017-2-9 06:39
I have 3 batteries and a just arrived ARGtek antenna to be installed asap.

[view_image]

I'd like to hear how that update works out for you.

Please post your findings, once you have tried them a few times?


RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 2017-2-9 21:45
I'd like to hear how that update works out for you.

Please post your findings, once you have tried them a few times?

Install went fine and powered up fine. Was not asked for any update by DJI Go App.  
You can see the two very small antenna's. Now you could just unclip the wires and leave them in case you wanted to go back to original setup.
My two block antennas are 7dBi and the tall one is 10 dBi.  Good thing is living in Taiwan and Argtek are a Taiwan company.  Was cheap to get here.

You do not want to accidently send power to the boards before setup so I disconnect the power as it's also easier not to have the case in the way when doing the install.

Too windy to fly atm which is a pity. Also very low fog.

As a new flyer I prefer to be cautious as mountains and the ravines will produce wind gusts that could easily flip a drone or otherwise cause a crash.

blackcrusader Posted at 2017-2-9 23:26
Install went fine and powered up fine. Was not asked for any update by DJI Go App.  
You can see the two very small antenna's. Now you could just unlip the wires and leave them in case you wanted to go back to original setup.
My two block antennas are 7dBi and the tall one is 10 dBi.  Good thing is living in Taiwan and Argtek are a Taiwan company.  Was cheap to get here.

That's a cool looking mod.
Happy that it all went smooth for you, and that you are now ready to take it for a trial.

I'm more interested in its ultimate performance, whenever that happens.


RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 2017-1-24 16:17
Yes, easy break in period, first  20 flights. & It has been strongly "suggested" that you deep cycle after every 10 full charges. Which can been counted in the app itself.

Some folks here beg to differ, and that's their perogative, to mistreat their flight packs. Ah but I would rely on info from DJI before taking instructions from the peanut gallery. Ha

Unfortunately that is not in the information provided with the drone. I have run my batteries below 50% but I checked today and at least my main one seems to be fine. My spares I will look at as I fly with them too.  I guess with main having done 13 charges now I should do a deep cycle on that.

Please click Advanced Settings at the bottom, for more info. ;-)


RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 2017-2-10 00:41
Please click Advanced Settings at the bottom, for more info. ;-)

Yep will do.. Can't fly due to crap weather so will check all my batteries later.

blackcrusader Posted at 2017-2-10 00:58
Yep will do.. Can't fly due to crap weather so will check all my batteries later.

blackcrusader, I'll buy you a Starbuck's if you install my mod.

DroneSmeg Posted at 2017-2-10 01:26
blackcrusader, I'll buy you a Starbuck's if you install my mod.

Only because you will ask me to pick you up at the high speed railway.

Did a quick test, crap weather had to stop as started spitting.  Also flying right in front of the areas main cell phone 3g 4g & Wifi towers. Still flew further and higher than with stock setup.

Hello, I am looking for a second battery not to expensive if possible on Ebay.
I heard some here about quality problem.
Could someone give me a link for a good quality price?
Thanks

Caribou Posted at 2017-2-10 03:12
Hello, I am looking for a second battery not to expensive if possible on Ebay.
I heard some here about quality problem.
Could someone give me a link for a good quality price?

I'd just buy a genuine battery and new, unless you know it hasn't been used too long. It really isn't worth taking chances to save a small amount of money.

Mark97564 Posted at 2015-6-5 20:39
How long do you want a fly session to last? With calm winds and 60 ft altitude you will get about 22 min out of a battery.. 400 ft high you will get 18 min from take off to landing..  I wanted to have a session go for s hr or more so I made sure I had 4 batteries..  If you have a way to charge 2 batteries at a time 4 batteries will keep you going all day if you wanted

I've done some pretty long flights at 200m. I did a nice flight to bring my battery down to 18% today.

I will have to check my flying times but I also have a total of 3 batteries.

Cacc Posted at 2015-6-8 17:14
Two batteries right now with another 3 on the way. Plus in my case I carry a 12mAh SLA battery with a 300w inverter so I can get about 3 charges while out in the field without anywhere to plug into. Can never have too much battery power if you are traveling to the middle of nowhere for a flight.

I travel to places a bit far away from power outlets.  My Ford Ranger comes equipped with a 110v outlet though so can charge up a cold battery when driving to next adventure spot.

Walmart has a 1+1 sale online for DJI OEM Phantom 3 batteries.  You buy two and save another $50.  With Washington State Sales Tax and shipping my two batteries cost $220.77 or $110.39 each.

I have 2 extra P4 batteries, and that's plenty for me.

Not enough   
But I have three.

RedHotPoker Posted at 2017-2-9 21:45
I'd like to hear how that update works out for you.

Please post your findings, once you have tried them a few times?

1.83km or 6037ft flight in less than 7 mins on the Argtek.  Battery was 69% start and 40% end of flight.

DroneSmeg Posted at 2017-2-10 01:26
blackcrusader, I'll buy you a Starbuck's if you install my mod.

Picked up Dronesmeg today and filmed his arrival by high speed rail. These trains cruise at over 200mph

21m50s flight  was buzzing over the area trying to get some coming and going picks.

http://healthydrones.com/main?fl ... _id=GENERALOverview

Ok, that's great... Have a good visit and installation...



RedHotPoker

RedHotPoker Posted at 2017-2-14 08:36
Ok, that's great... Have a good visit and installation...

Install is done but cannot fly tomorrow morning as we have our warriors festival on.  
Will post some pics of that.

RedHotPoker Posted at 2017-2-14 08:36
Ok, that's great... Have a good visit and installation...

Install done.  Just can't fly as already midnight here and warriors festival on in the morning.
Thursday morning we will head out really early to try some high flying places. Better weather coming.

blackcrusader Posted at 2017-2-14 08:43
Install done.  Just can't fly as already midnight here and warriors festival on in the morning.
Thursday morning we will head out really early to try some high flying places. Better weather coming.

This is the battery thread bud. Start a new post. Thanks...

Still have four flight packs here. ;-)


RedHotPoker

Bought a P3P two weeks ago (got fed up waiting for Mavic) came with three batteries but bought 2 more new ones so 5 should keep me going for now (although the backpack has room for 2 more ) .. Still haven't flown it yet though .. Dam windy weather!