Hubsan X4 FPV - User Manual

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Hubsan Aerial Filming Drone - Fly with your Dreams

A Quick Guide to Drone Batteries

Usage and Maintenance

Lithium-ion batteries are the only source of power for consumer drones. Using and Maintaining drone batteries

properly is important to ensure drone flight safety, and safety of users and others.

Understanding Battery Cells Voltage:

Drones use Lithium battery cells. A single cell voltage 3.8V is the rated operating voltage. The actual voltage of

a lithium battery cell is 2.75v Min to 4.375V Max when fully charged. The capacity marked on the lithium battery

is the amount of electricity obtained by discharging from 4.35V to 2.75V.

Charging the batteries:

Never leave drone batteries charging unattended:

 Charging a drone battery is most important. Charging is the most likely time for a drone battery to catch

fire, so concentrate the bulk of your safety efforts there. According to the CPSC, more than half of the

drone-battery incidents documented at hospital emergency rooms occurred while the drone was charging.

 If you can, charge your batteries outdoors. the single safest way to charge a drone battery is to do it

outdoors. That’s the only place you can be sure it isn’t near anything else that can catch fire. An exploding

battery also gives off toxic gases, which can be dangerous in an enclosed space. Just be sure to keep the

batteries out of the sun so they don’t overheat, and away from dried-out plants or other combustibles.

 If you have to charge indoors, set up fire-containment measures just in case. You can charge batteries

inside cinder blocks, use ammo boxes and or just get yourself an old Microwave oven and use it as a safe

box to charge and or store your batteries inside. and keep a bucket of sand nearby to extinguish flames. If

you must charge indoors and you choose one of these methods, make sure the setup isn’t near anything

else that can catch fire. Never seal a battery inside a fireproof container. all that energy needs to go

somewhere, and sealing it off will just cause the container to explode. That’s why good fire containment

focuses on aiming flames and gases in a safe direction and then getting sand or water on it as fast as

possible.

Warning! Over Charging the Battery:

 Always use supplied and dedicated Hubsan Drone Battery Chargers. These chargers are specially

designed to charge your drone batteries safely and balance each cells properly. Also they have safety

voltage cut off, and power cut off features once a battery is fully charged.

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This document provides a comprehensive guide to the usage and maintenance of Hubsan drone batteries, which are Lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are the sole power source for consumer drones, and proper handling is crucial for flight safety and the safety of users and others.

Function Description

Hubsan drone batteries are Lithium-ion cells designed to power Hubsan aerial filming drones. They provide the necessary electrical energy for the drone's motors, flight control systems, and other electronic components, enabling flight and aerial photography/videography.

Important Technical Specifications

Battery Type: Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Rated Operating Voltage (Single Cell): 3.8V
Actual Voltage Range (Single Cell): 2.75V (Minimum) to 4.375V (Maximum) when fully charged.
Capacity Measurement: The marked capacity on the battery indicates the amount of electricity obtained by discharging from 4.35V to 2.75V.
Storage Voltage (per cell): 3.8V (storage level).
Recommended Ambient Storage Temperature: 10~25°C.

Usage Features

Understanding Battery Voltage: Drones utilize Lithium battery cells. A single cell has a rated operating voltage of 3.8V. The actual voltage of a lithium battery cell ranges from 2.75V (minimum) to 4.375V (maximum) when fully charged. The capacity marked on the lithium battery signifies the amount of electricity obtained by discharging from 4.35V to 2.75V.

Charging:

Safety First: Never leave drone batteries charging unattended. Charging is the most likely time for a drone battery to catch fire.
Outdoor Charging (Recommended): If possible, charge batteries outdoors to ensure they are not near anything flammable. Keep batteries out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating and away from dried-out plants or other combustibles.
Indoor Charging Precautions: If charging indoors, implement fire-containment measures. This can include charging batteries inside cinder blocks, ammo boxes, or old microwave ovens used as safe storage/charging boxes. Keep a bucket of sand nearby for extinguishing flames. Ensure the setup is not near anything flammable. Never seal a battery in a fireproof container, as this can cause an explosion; good containment aims flames and gases in a safe direction.
Dedicated Chargers: Always use supplied and dedicated Hubsan Drone Battery Chargers. These chargers are specifically designed for safe charging, proper cell balancing, and include safety voltage cut-off and power cut-off features once a battery is fully charged.
Avoid Aftermarket Chargers: Aftermarket chargers may not stop charging when the battery is full, leading to overcharging, damage to the Battery Management Unit (BMU), heating, swelling, and potential explosion/fire.
Unattended Charging: Never leave batteries unattended while charging.

General Usage Tips:

Read Manuals: Always download and read the manual for your specific flight battery and drone before use, paying attention to Intelligent Flight Batteries.
Fully Charged and Secure: Only fly with a fully charged battery that is securely mounted. Ensure batteries are properly fitted and charged to 100% as part of your pre-flight checklist.
Power On/Off: Never install or remove a battery from an aircraft when it's turned on.
Smooth Flying: Avoid erratic flying (sudden changes, abrupt braking) as this drains the battery quickly. Aim for steady movements and slow braking for longer flight times.
Temperature Guidelines: Follow operating temperature guidelines in the user manual. Cold temperatures reduce capacity, while warm temperatures can cause irreversible battery failure.
Battery Cycling: If you have multiple batteries, cycle through them to balance pressure. Labeling batteries can help.
Full Charge/Discharge Cycles: At least every 20 cycles, perform a complete charge and discharge to optimize battery life. Unlike previous LiPo batteries, this won't cause lasting damage if done occasionally.
Connector Maintenance: Keep connectors on batteries, chargers, and aircraft clear of debris/dust. Clean with a dry cloth or compressed air. Avoid sharp, pointy, or metal objects to prevent short circuits and damage.
Battery Errors: If a battery error occurs, try running the battery down to 0% then recharging. Intelligent Flight Batteries retain some charge to prevent irreversible errors during discharge.

Over-Discharge Warning:

Voltage Range: Lithium batteries must be used within 2.75V - 4.35V. A single cell voltage below 2.75V causes over-discharge.
Consequences of Over-Discharge: Over-discharge can cause the battery cell to swell, internal chemical liquid to crystallize (which can pierce internal structures, leading to short circuits or zero voltage), and in severe cases, fire and explosion when attempting to charge damaged cells.
Discharge Curve: The voltage drops quickly at the beginning of discharge, then slows between 3.9V and 3.7V. Below 3.7V per cell, the voltage drop accelerates, leading to over-discharge, battery damage, malfunction, heating, and swelling.
Critical Low Battery: Never over-discharge the battery. Do not fly the drone if it's about to over-discharge. Monitor Drone App prompts for "return to home" or "land immediately" in case of critically low battery levels.
Extreme Temperatures: Avoid flying in extreme temperatures. Follow manufacturer instructions for safe temperature ranges and acceptable discharge levels to maximize battery life.
Fast Draining: Avoid draining the battery too fast (e.g., full throttle for long periods) as this can lead to thermal runaway, where internal materials heat up and cause chemical reactions.

Storage:

Long-Term Storage (Over 7 Days): Discharge drone batteries to storage level (3.8V per cell) before storing them safely. Storing a fully charged battery for over 7 days can damage cells, leading to swelling or reduced performance.
Automatic Discharge: Hubsan Zino 2+ Drone batteries automatically discharge to 3.8V (storage level) over time. Zino Pro series drone batteries require manual discharge (e.g., hover until 50-60% level).
Storage Environment: Store batteries in a cool, dry, non-corrosive environment (10~25°C). Use sealed bags or fireproof/explosion-proof battery bags for long-term storage.
Short-Term Storage (1-10 Days): Discharge batteries to 60-80%.
Long-Term Storage (Over 10 Days): Store batteries between 40-60%. Batteries left uncharged for over three months will have reduced life.
Intelligent Flight Batteries: These batteries automatically discharge after a specified time; this feature may be configurable in the drone app.
Vehicle Storage: Never store batteries in vehicles (other than during transportation) due to extreme temperature fluctuations that can damage the battery.

Flight Planning:

Battery Limits: Plan flights comfortably within battery limits.
Extra Power: Allow extra time at the end of each flight for contingencies (e.g., strong winds, waiting for landing zone).
Discharge Level Impact: Regularly pushing the battery charge below 20% shortens its life and reduces reliability.
Environmental Adaptation: In low temperatures or strong winds, adapt missions with shorter flight times. Strong winds increase power consumption, while low temperatures affect battery chemistry and accelerate discharge.
Cold Conditions: In cold conditions (below 5°C / 41°F), warm UAV batteries to at least 5°C before connecting them to the drone.

Maintenance Features

Damaged Batteries:

Careful Handling: Always handle drone batteries with care; do not drop them.
Disposal of Damaged Batteries: If a drone crashes or a battery is dropped, and you observe any damage (e.g., swelling), stop using it immediately and dispose of it properly.
No Repairs: Do not attempt to open or repair a drone battery yourself.

Transporting Batteries:

Padding and Security: Keep batteries padded and secured during transit to prevent bumping.
Fireproof Bags: Always use and store batteries in fireproof, explosion-proof battery bags when transporting.
Air Travel (Carry-on Recommended): Pack drones and batteries in carry-on baggage. Check airline rules for batteries. While a lithium battery installed in a drone might be allowed in checked baggage, spare batteries typically are not. Keeping the drone and batteries with you avoids loss.

Battery Inspection:

Pre/Post-Flight and Charging: Inspect batteries before and after flying or charging.
Visible Damage: Dispose of any battery with visible damage or puffing.
Hidden Damage: Be extra careful, as not all damage is physically visible. If you see physical signs or receive warnings from the app, do not use the batteries.

General Safety Tips:

No Damaged Batteries: Do not use batteries with known or visible damage, leaks, or swelling. The risk of a crash or worse is not worth the cost of a new battery.
Water Contact: If a battery contacts water, stop using it immediately and allow it to dry in an open area. Do not use it again.
Weather Conditions: Be mindful of fog and mist, which can cause water to accumulate on the aircraft and batteries.
Fire Extinguishing: If a battery catches fire, do not use water (as it can spread the fire). Use sand or a fire extinguisher designed for electrical fires.
Storage Environment: Store batteries at room temperature in a dry, ventilated place. Do not leave batteries in the aircraft, as an error could cause lasting damage.
Fireproof Storage: For added safety, store batteries in a fireproof bag or metal case.

Final Pro Tips:

Handle drone batteries with care and extreme caution.
Never charge drone batteries unattended.
Invest in fireproof safety equipment and fire extinguishing supplies.
Do not try to save money by using a damaged or swollen battery; buy a new one and dispose of damaged batteries properly.
Fly with responsibility and have fun.