Though I would throw this one out there given the importance of intelligent battery best practice. It's fairly common knowledge you do not keep lithium batteries stored on a full charge, the recommended storage is approximately 35% charge.  I would be grateful if you could answer the poll in the first instance and share your experience and understanding of the following questions - Does it make a difference given battery intelligence and the fact the switch on the battery is an off switch and not standby? Would leaving on the aircraft make a difference or stop the intelligent battery entering sleep mode. I hope the knowledge and feedback shared will help save forum readers a few pennies or cents if you prefer.

Leaving it on the drone shouldn't make any difference to the auto discharge feature.  To me, if something WERE to happen to the battery, I'd rather it be away from the drone by a bit.  I have 3 batteries.  When I fly, I discharge each to 15-20%, remove them and drop them in my bag.  I leave them discharged.  The day before I go flying again, I pop them in the charger.  They are numbered, but use is totally random.  

No doubt - I voted No 3. The drone were delivered with the battery mounted on it and as long as the battery is not turned on it makes no difference.

i think the same as flydk

Being a drone Newbie, but having lots of experience with all sorts of batteries.
I keep DJI smart batteries (Mavic Pro) inside safety storage bags.  

Having seen various types of batteries over the years, warp, leak, and blow-up (denting a steel panel).
I don't want batteries on expensive drone unless it is going flying.

Lipo batteries should be stored at 3.8 volts. What voltage is 15 percent?

Jeff7577 Posted at 2018-2-11 18:36
Lipo batteries should be stored at 3.8 volts. What voltage is 15 percent?

LiPo at 3.8 volts would be close to 40%.

According to this chart: https://oscarliang.com/ctt/uploa ... used-percentage.jpg

I just did a test with the Mavic Air. 3.85v is pretty much right at 50 percent, 3.8 is just over 40 percent, and 15 percent was just over 3.6 volts.
Voltages were taken with the drone on but as few loads on as possible. No motors, recording or lights.

How often should we top up the batteries if they are left in storage at 50% (i.e. how long does it take to drop low and need to be topped up)?

I thought the whole point of them being "intelligent" was that it took away the worry of all this. They self discharge if left unused and go into hibernation as well.

Cameleon Posted at 2018-2-12 05:10
How often should we top up the batteries if they are left in storage at 50% (i.e. how long does it take to drop low and need to be topped up)?

My understanding is the battery will sit in storage or hibernation mode. I do not believe there is recommended period where they would require topping up. I charge and discharge the batteries every 2-3 months if unused, the theory being to maintain a level of activity all be it minimal. This also ensures that I can identify a problem with a Lipo  rather than at time I require them for flight. It would be interesting to hear if there is a definitive out there?   

Celsus Posted at 2018-2-12 06:09
My understanding is the battery will sit in storage or hibernation mode. I do not believe there is recommended period where they would require topping up. I charge and discharge the batteries every 2-3 months if unused, the theory being to maintain a level of activity all be it minimal. This also ensures that I can identify a problem with a Lipo  rather than at time I require them for flight. It would be interesting to hear if there is a definitive out there?

Thanks. I can't see it being a problem as I hope to be able to use it at least several times a month anyway.

I asked as I have several bike lights and other Li-ion powered devices that only see use in winter and therefore I charge them every month or so over the summer to maintain their charge and keep them tip top.

Brad Bilger Posted at 2018-2-11 13:42
Leaving it on the drone shouldn't make any difference to the auto discharge feature.  To me, if something WERE to happen to the battery, I'd rather it be away from the drone by a bit.  I have 3 batteries.  When I fly, I discharge each to 15-20%, remove them and drop them in my bag.  I leave them discharged.  The day before I go flying again, I pop them in the charger.  They are numbered, but use is totally random.

how do you intentionally discharge the batteries?

rshah921 Posted at 2018-2-12 07:51
how do you intentionally discharge the batteries?

Usually a short flight or the use of a usb charging hub to get the charge down to about 35%.

rshah921 Posted at 2018-2-12 07:51
how do you intentionally discharge the batteries?

There are several ways.  
1.  Connect a battery to the drone and turn the drone on.  Leave it sit for a while.  Yes, the fan will run.  Just don't start the motors.  (Good way to review all the settings after a Firmware update)
2.  I have the adapter to connect to the battery with two USB outputs.  Connect to battery, connect to my phone or my Tablet, turn battery on.  Slower than turning on the drone but still effective.
3.  Worst case scenario.  Put the battery in the drone, carry out to my drive way.  Start the motors and hover for a while.  Boring, but effective.  
But my message said nothing about intentionally discharging the batteries.  I Fly with full batteries.  When the battery is down to 15-20%, I land, swap and continue to fly.  I return home with Dead (and cool) Batteries and don't charge them until the evening before I go flying again.

HedgeTrimmer Posted at 2018-2-11 14:27
Being a drone Newbie, but having lots of experience with all sorts of batteries.
I keep DJI smart batteries (Mavic Pro) inside safety storage bags.  

Completely agree.  All my LiPO's are stored in Ammo containers (without the ammo, of course).  I have a number of RC car/truck batteries that aren't "smart" (requiring storage discharge and cell balancing) in additon to MP and Spark batteries that are brought to the DJI recommended storage %'s before storing.  Guess I'm old school... for any batteries, long term storage should be removed from the appliance, toy, etc.  Why ruin the product with a bad battery (for whatever reason)!

Wyke Posted at 2018-2-12 05:17
I thought the whole point of them being "intelligent" was that it took away the worry of all this. They self discharge if left unused and go into hibernation as well.

That was my thinking as well.

All lithium batteries should be stored just above nominal voltage. Leaving them stored at 20% is almost as bad as leaving them fully charged! 3.8v per cell is about perfect. Personally i would like to see the feature added to allow a shorter time than 10 days before auto discharge like the pro does, 10 days left at top voltage will slowly chip away at the internal resistance of the battery, gradually making its capacity less if you do this regularly. Good for DJI battery sales but less wallet friendly for you. Having flown RC quads/planes/helicopters for over two decades i have a lot of experience with good battery health practises and plenty of data for how much shorter they live/maintain capacitance/amp draw/low internal resistance etc if mistreated.
My advice is when you're done, if you have any unused, charged batteries use the power-bank battery adapter and discharge to around 60% (three lights) and these batteries will last you a very long time.

NJTech Posted at 2018-3-3 11:57
All lithium batteries should be stored just above nominal voltage. Leaving them stored at 20% is almost as bad as leaving them fully charged! 3.8v per cell is about perfect. Personally i would like to see the feature added to allow a shorter time than 10 days before auto discharge like the pro does, 10 days left at top voltage will slowly chip away at the internal resistance of the battery, gradually making its capacity less if you do this regularly. Good for DJI battery sales but less wallet friendly for you. Having flown RC quads/planes/helicopters for over two decades i have a lot of experience with good battery health practises and plenty of data for how much shorter they live/maintain capacitance/amp draw/low internal resistance etc if mistreated.
My advice is when you're done, if you have any unused, charged batteries use the power-bank battery adapter and discharge to around 60% (three lights) and these batteries will last you a very long time.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and advice.