Hi guys,

Just sharing some ideas, but they are not approved in any way from DJI.
I've managed to charge the Mavic Air battery using a power bank! You can see the picture in the attachment.



Here what I used:

• DJI mavic air car charger
• Female Car Cigarette Lighter Charger cable
• Power bank capable of outputting 12 V
• (5.5mm) plug that can be connected to the above power bank.
  

It works perfectly. I have a 37 Wh power bank, whereas the battery is 2.375 Ah * 11.55 V = 27.43 Wh; this would allow to charge 1.37 batteries in the ideal world which imply that I can definetly charge at least one battery in the real world.

Hope it helps! Ciao!
Jassi

Great idea!!! Thank you for sharing

This sounds like a great way of getting an extra flight when out on a long hike.
Thanks for posting!

Nice set up! Let us know how it charges on the road.

This is my travel plan..

I just ordered it, so i'll let you all know how it goes...

3-D Posted at 2018-5-17 12:21
This is my travel plan..

I just ordered it, so i'll let you all know how it goes...

Watch out because I think that is not what you want. I've quickly checked it and it does not look like that it can output 12 V. If that outputs only 5 V you need a step-up converter which is highly inefficient compared to a device that can output 12 V.
In the suggestion of the production that you linked, I saw  this one which should work flawlessly.

jassi Posted at 2018-5-17 12:35
Watch out because I think that is not what you want. I've quickly checked it and it does not look like that it can output 12 V. If that outputs only 5 V you need a step-up converter which is highly inefficient compared to a device that can output 12 V.
In the suggestion of the production that you linked, I saw  this one which should work flawlessly.

it's got a 100w AC port that supports 110V.  with that, i will use the normal power charger that comes with the Mavic Air.

3-D Posted at 2018-5-17 12:46
it's got a 100w AC port that supports 110V.  with that, i will use the normal power charger that comes with the Mavic Air.

Oh cool, that's perfect! ;)

Hi jassi, nice idea, I used solar panels and powerbanks in my several days travels where no electricity was available, but you have to check also the output current your powerbank can deliver through the DC 12V outlet. For the Mavic air you need at least 6A to charge both battery and RC and, at least 4,7A to charge only the battery. There are few powerbanks these days able to be solar charged and to deliver also high ampere charging currents (Litionite is one of those, if someone needs, I'll provide more brand / model names). I write this because I already burned a powerbank until I learned this lesson. Apparently the powerbank works but after a couple of cycles, the diode internal circuitry will be burned because most of them are designed to deliver high currents for short times (seconds), this being their main initial purpose (as car jump starters) and not for continuous delivery of high currents.IMO, this one https://www.amazon.com/Poweradd-Pilot-23000mAh-External-Smartphones/dp/B015OAJFOC/ref=pd_sbs_107_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B015OAJFOC&pd_rd_r=7SEX1SXMPZXGE8C8ERT6&pd_rd_w=jwpEK&pd_rd_wg=CoeQR&psc=1&refRID=7SEX1SXMPZXGE8C8ERT6 has a quite limited current output, 4.5 A being not enough.
Another thing I learned and experienced is many powerbanks sold today are misinforming the consumers with higher capacities (mAh) than the real ones. For instance I opened a Floureon Ghero 01, claiming for 16800 mAh (and 300 to 600A through the car jumper port) and found the internal batteries pack consisting of 3 Li batteries of 11,1 V and 3200 mAh...(3 serial 3,7V cells).
For the people interested in such solution, suggest to avoid sparing a few pennies, buy a 90Wh powerbank as, its real power is less and also allows you to check it aboard when flying (recall power limit 100Wh per battery).

15matjan Posted at 2018-5-17 13:17
Hi jassi, nice idea, I used solar panels and powerbanks in my several days travels where no electricity was available, but you have to check also the output current your powerbank can deliver through the DC 12V outlet. For the Mavic air you need at least 6A to charge both battery and RC and, at least 4,7A to charge only the battery. There are few powerbanks these days able to be solar charged and to deliver also high ampere charging currents (Litionite is one of those, if someone needs, I'll provide more brand / model names). I write this because I already burned a powerbank until I learned this lesson. Apparently the powerbank works but after a couple of cycles, the diode internal circuitry will be burned because most of them are designed to deliver high currents for short times (seconds), this being their main initial purpose (as car jump starters) and not for continuous delivery of high currents.IMO, this one https://www.amazon.com/Poweradd-Pilot-23000mAh-External-Smartphones/dp/B015OAJFOC/ref=pd_sbs_107_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B015OAJFOC&pd_rd_r=7SEX1SXMPZXGE8C8ERT6&pd_rd_w=jwpEK&pd_rd_wg=CoeQR&psc=1&refRID=7SEX1SXMPZXGE8C8ERT6 has a quite limited current output, 4.5 A being not enough.
Another thing I learned and experienced is many powerbanks sold today are misinforming the consumers with higher capacities (mAh) than the real ones. For instance I opened a Floureon Ghero 01, claiming for 16800 mAh (and 300 to 600A through the car jumper port) and found the internal batteries pack consisting of 3 Li batteries of 11,1 V and 3200 mAh...(3 serial 3,7V cells).
For the people interested in such solution, suggest to avoid sparing a few pennies, buy a 90Wh powerbank as, its real power is less and also allows you to check it aboard when flying (recall power limit 100Wh per battery).

Will this one work?  You seem like you know about these.  Was going to get this for my Mavic Pro.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HEV ... ef_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Here is one that was made for the Mavic Air.  http://www.dronevalley.com/store ... harging_System.html
https://www.amazon.com/Drone-Fan ... avic+air+power+bank

SparksBird Posted at 2018-5-17 15:05
Here is one that was made for the Mavic Air.  http://www.dronevalley.com/store ... harging_System.html
https://www.amazon.com/Drone-Fans-Parallel-Battery-25000mAh/dp/B07C8435KT/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1526598144&sr=8-7&keywords=mavic+air+power+bank

That looks like a better option than the one i ordered.  lemme see if there is time to cancel/ change the order...

*EDIT* - awesome.  that saved me $110.  Thanks Sparks!

3-D Posted at 2018-5-17 18:18
That looks like a better option than the one i ordered.  lemme see if there is time to cancel/ change the order...

*EDIT* - awesome.  that saved me $110.  Thanks Sparks!

Your welcome.  Just wish they had one like this for the MP.  Although the one I listed above would seem to work well just have to use my charger with it.  Would like something like this where this is all I would need to bring.  Glad to help

SparksBird Posted at 2018-5-17 18:24
Your welcome.  Just wish they had one like this for the MP.  Although the one I listed above would seem to work well just have to use my charger with it.  Would like something like this where this is all I would need to bring.  Glad to help

yeah, now all i have to do is reconfigure my case to make it fit.  I'm going to have to order more foam...

3-D Posted at 2018-5-17 18:31
yeah, now all i have to do is reconfigure my case to make it fit.  I'm going to have to order more foam...[view_image]

That is a very nice case.  

SparksBird Posted at 2018-5-17 18:45
That is a very nice case.

Thanks.  I ordered it at the same time i got my Air.  not expensive and was precut for everything in the Fly More combo.  i just had to pull some more for the small charging battery i have in there now, and the phone.  I've seen one where some of the components are stacked.  I'm tryingt o figure out how i can get that charger on one layer, and the other AIR batteries on a second layer.

SparksBird Posted at 2018-5-17 15:01
Will this one work?  You seem like you know about these.  Was going to get this for my Mavic Pro.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HEVEDTG/?coliid=I1DK1TKKJGA7LT&colid=RJR0SQH8JIB2&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

It seems it may work when used with the AC Mavic Charger. This model was in my buying plans, what I didn't like is it has no DC output ports, but if you use AC may work fine.
My choose was for https://www.amazon.es/Litionite% ... ds=litionite+tanker and I charge the batteries via battery car charger https://www.amazon.com/IRCtek-Ch ... vic+air+car+charger as I prefer avoid AC transformers which I think have poorer energy / power conversion yields than 12V to 12V car chargers

Thanks for your sharing. I would recommend you choose some good quality power bank and be careful when you charge in that way. I would recommend users use official charger or charge hub instead.

15matjan Posted at 2018-5-17 22:35
It seems it may work when used with the AC Mavic Charger. This model was in my buying plans, what I didn't like is it has no DC output ports, but if you use AC may work fine.
My choose was for https://www.amazon.es/Litionite% ... ds=litionite+tanker and I charge the batteries via battery car charger https://www.amazon.com/IRCtek-Ch ... vic+air+car+charger as I prefer avoid AC transformers which I think have poorer energy / power conversion yields than 12V to 12V car chargers

Yes, that is absolutely correct (I'm an electronic engineer, so I know that). That's why I went for DC-DC conversion.

Plus I've heard that the mavic pro car charger charged the battery faster compared to AC. However I did not dig into that and I've no idea whether it is the same for the Air.

SparksBird Posted at 2018-5-17 15:05
Here is one that was made for the Mavic Air.  http://www.dronevalley.com/store ... harging_System.html
https://www.amazon.com/Drone-Fans-Parallel-Battery-25000mAh/dp/B07C8435KT/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1526598144&sr=8-7&keywords=mavic+air+power+bank

By no means... DC output of 2,5 A is not sufficient. Have a look at your official AC Mavic Aic charger: it has a rated current output of 3,79A. Buying powerbanks with less is throwing your money...

Those guys are reinventing maths and physics for their own, particular purpose. Everyone wants to sell today...
I quote:
Parameters:
Input: DC 25-28V 1.5A
Output: dual DC 13.05v 2.5A Dual DC 5V 2A
Charging environment temperature: 0-40 degrees
Product weight: net weight of 855g
Package weight: 1025g
Product size: 14.8*11.9*3.1cm
Product packaging size: 29.5*21*6.4cm
Self charging voltage 25V-28V 1.5A self charging time: about 4 hours. Rated voltage 18.5V 5000mAh
Capacity: 3.7V 25000, converted to AIR battery, 11.55V capacity is about 8000 Ma, and can be filled with 4 AIR batteries. Watt 92.5Wh --> 92 Wh : 27 Wh(Mavic) = 3,4 batteries, which, in real life, will stand for 2...
Three yuan (perhaps Ion, yuan are the money in their head...) lithium battery material models: 26650; single voltage 3.7V 5000mAh a total of 5 --> 3?, 5? cell elements ???
Shell: fireproof plastic
Charging time: it can charge 2 batteries at the same time, and the time is about 63 minutes. --> Charging 2 batteries at the same time means half of the output available current for each battery.In other words, maximum 1,25 A available charging current per battery.In one hour you'll charge 13,05V x 1,25A = 16,31 Wh theoricaly transferred to one battery...It will take at least 2 REAL hours to acheve those 27 Wh...if...able to charge them (see my above commentary about insufficient charging current)
Package content:
1* power bank
2* battery charger cable for dji mavic air
1* charger cable (US Plug)

Nice idea !

15matjan Posted at 2018-5-17 22:35
It seems it may work when used with the AC Mavic Charger. This model was in my buying plans, what I didn't like is it has no DC output ports, but if you use AC may work fine.
My choose was for https://www.amazon.es/Litionite% ... ds=litionite+tanker and I charge the batteries via battery car charger https://www.amazon.com/IRCtek-Ch ... vic+air+car+charger as I prefer avoid AC transformers which I think have poorer energy / power conversion yields than 12V to 12V car chargers

Thanks for your input.  Much apprecaited.  I ended up getting this transformer  https://www.amazon.com/gp/produc ... 2_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and use this multi charger  https://www.amazon.com/gp/produc ... 5_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1  to charge at home and in the car and seems to work really well.  I have used the charger to charge my batteries each about 50 times and it works great.  Typically I get three batteries charged in less than 70 minutes.  

SparksBird Posted at 2018-5-18 06:02
Thanks for your input.  Much apprecaited.  I ended up getting this transformer  https://www.amazon.com/gp/produc ... 2_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and use this multi charger  https://www.amazon.com/gp/produc ... 5_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1  to charge at home and in the car and seems to work really well.  I have used the charger to charge my batteries each about 50 times and it works great.  Typically I get three batteries charged in less than 70 minutes.

You're welcome. Yes, 750 W is another story.... Still power banks are a good option for long trips in remote areas, with only solar charge available, but the device has to be chosen with care as there are a lot of misleading adverts.

I bought this powerbank to use with the DJI car charger (when it arrives)
https://www.amazon.com/GBTIGER-5 ... L70_&dpSrc=srch

With this powerbank, the DJI car charger can be connected directly:
https://www.amazon.com/42000mAh- ... L70_&dpSrc=srch