Like many fliers, you may be disappointed by the short flight time of a drone. The average endurance of an entry-level quadrotor is just seven minutes. Even the more expensive drones don't last more than 30 minutes. Even so, there are a few things you can do to extend the endurance of your quadrotor.
What are the factors that affect the endurance of a drone?
Today's entry-level quadrotor drones, such as the SYMAX5C and UDIU818A, have a range of about seven minutes. Obviously, there are a number of factors that can contribute to the decrease in drone endurance, including wind, weight, flying style and video. For example, the drone's battery life may be shorter in windy weather than usual. If the drone is flying with something heavy, such as a camera or a blade shield, or if it is flying hard, its endurance will be greatly reduced.
Method 10: Use a larger battery
Lithium polymer batteries are used in almost all drones today. Compared to conventional batteries, lithium-polymer batteries are lighter and have a higher discharge rate (they store/release more energy).
As you might expect, lithium-polymer batteries come in many sizes: the CheersonCX-10, the world's smallest quadrotor drone, runs on a relatively small 100mAh battery, while the larger Symax8C runs on a 2000mAh battery. In general, a larger battery can support longer battery life.
Important note: Sometimes, a bigger battery is not necessarily a good thing, because a bigger battery means more weight. If the battery is too heavy, it could shorten the drone's battery life. You should keep that in mind when considering how to extend the drone's endurance.
Method 9: Remove the camera (if detachable)
Did you know that some drones have detachable cameras? If you want to extend the battery life, I strongly recommend you remove the camera. While the cameras may not look heavy, they certainly add to the drone's battery burden. It is worth noting that the camera is closely related to the duration of the UAV. So when you're recording video, you're using more battery power than usual. Unfortunately, this method only applies to quadrotor UAVs with detachable cameras (not HUBSANX4H107C).
Method 8: Time to charge
Correct charging time can extend battery life. To ensure optimal battery life, charge before each use. A battery that has just been fully charged will perform better than one that was fully charged a few days ago. So, if you're not planning to fly a drone anytime soon, you can take the time to recharge your battery and store it in a safe location instead of charging it to 60%. Then refill the battery before you decide to fly.
Tip 7: Avoid flying in inclement weather
Flying drones in strong winds is very dangerous. It can crash into private houses or injure innocent people. Even without this risk, the duration of a drone can be significantly reduced in high winds. When you fly a drone in strong winds, you essentially force the motor to exert more momentum to stay hovering. This will lead to more battery energy consumption, if possible, please try to avoid flying the UAV in windy weather, or choose to fly indoors.
Method 6: Choose conservative flight patterns
Almost all drones have multiple flight modes that you can adjust to suit your flying habits. If you want a more intense flight mode, just increase the sensitivity of the remote control. Otherwise, it reduces the sensitivity of the remote control. Obviously, more intense flight modes use more battery power. The good news is that you can easily adjust flight mode with the press of a button on your remote control. This method is easy to ignore, in order to extend the duration of the drone, try this method!
Tip 5: Don't overcharge
Lithium-polymer batteries are extremely volatile. If the charging time is too long, it may cause an explosion or even a fire. Overcharging is not only dangerous, it also shortens battery life. In 2010, two crew members on a UPS plane carrying lithium-polymer batteries accidentally died when the batteries spontaneously ignited. This means that if you don't charge it properly, it can be extremely dangerous.
Method 4: DIY yourself
Are you bothered by the short battery life of your drone? If so, why not try DIY? With your own DIY quadcopter drone, you can have more control over its endurance.
Don't worry it's not as difficult as you think. There are many resources online that can teach you step-by-step about DIY.
If you are going to DIY, I suggest you read the article (http://beginnerflyer.com/build-a-drone/). This article can at least teach you some DIY basics. Here are some articles for you to look at:
RCGroups.com: Rcgroups was founded in 1995 to help you meet like-minded quadrotor drone enthusiasts. Here you can not only learn the knowledge of drones and how they work, but also the relevant experienced pilots to answer your questions.
DIYDrones.com: This online community is dedicated to helping novice drones learn how to DIY a quadrotor drone. As far as I know, the users on this site are friendly, open and helpful. Sign up to learn more!
MultirotorForums.com: This site is also an important resource for learning how to DIY drones. Every day, thousands of users share their tips and suggestions here, freely offering methods. The site also has an active section where you can get the latest information on local drones.
Method 3: Spare batteries
So far, one of the most common solutions to the problem of limited battery life for drone pilots has been to buy spare batteries. This won't necessarily improve the battery life of the drone, but it will give you longer flight time. This method works for drones with easily replaceable batteries (such as X8C, X5SW, etc.) but not for UDIU839. In general, spare batteries are cheaper (about $5).
Method 2: Remove the blade shield
Blade protectors are important for protecting the propeller of the UAV, but they have their own disadvantages. While they provide protection, they also increase the weight of the UAV and shorten its endurance. But if you haven't mastered the craft yet, I don't recommend taking off the shield. It's more important to protect the propeller than to fly a few more minutes
Tip 1: Don't drain your battery
Our final piece of advice: Never exhaust your battery during a flight. Because it will gradually shorten the battery life. We recommend flying with more than 20 percent battery power. When the battery is below 20%, let the battery cool for a few minutes and then charge it fully. Curing your battery regularly can help you extend its life.
