Using drones under high temperatures

Aerial photography enthusiasts try to shoot on sunny summer days, but flying under high temperatures for a long time can be a strain for their drones. Continuous flying under higher temperatures can easily cause serious heating of the equipment and may even cause battery failure or explosion and permanent damage to the drone's equipment.

Factors that affect the work of drones in high temperature

Most drones use lithium polymer batteries, which generate electricity through chemical reactions. High temperatures affect the rate of chemical reactions, which undoubtedly shortens the flight time and life of the battery. In sweltering temperatures, the air can be thicker. The thicker hot air forces the propellers and motors to work harder to keep the drone in the air and contributes to shorter flight time. In some cases, once the battery heats up, it will gradually expand as time goes by while slowly emitting chemical substances and toxic smoke. The heat generated may also overheat the electronic equipment or melt wires and plastics. Definitely take temperatures into account when you want to fly your drone. You can download free apps, like UAV Forecast, to help you make informed decisions before you fly. We will explore some tips below if you decide to fly your drone in hot temperatures.

When flying a drone in hot weather, pay attention to certain factors

When switching out batteries, wait for the drone to cool down a bit, and take longer breaks between flights. Reduce jerking your drone around or making sudden turns or stops during flight because high temperature will affect the discharge capacity of the battery and may shorten the service life of the drone.  In short, try to have a smooth flight. Drones should indicate the operating temperature in their manuals, and it is best not to exceed a certain timeframe for flying under extreme temperatures.

The batteries must be fully charged and placed in a cool place before flying. Do not leave your electronics under direct sunlight. If your drone is running hot after the flight, place it in a cool place to dissipate heat before storage. When flying drones in hot weather, the batteries must be watched carefully.  If you want high temperature-resistant batteries, you can look at the ones that Grepow has developed. The surface-coated nano-ceramic battery separator from Grepow has the advantages of high-temperature resistance, high voltage resistance, high puncture, and high liquid absorption, which can greatly improve the heat shrinkage of the diaphragm and improve the safety and reliability of the battery. The storage temperatures can withstand up to 176°F (80°C).

To learn more about other batteries, go here.