Battery Maintenance and Storage For the Matrice 300 RTK


The DJI Matrice 300 RTK enterprise drone uses a dual TB60 Intelligent Flight Battery system. The DJI Smart Controller Enterprise has a built-in lithium-ion battery, supplemented with the removable WB37 battery. These battery systems will provide dependable performance with proper operation and maintenance.

When equipped with the DJI Zenmuse P1 sensor, the Matrice 300 RTK can fly for 45 minutes in low wind and optimum temperature conditions. However, high winds and cold weather conditions of -4° to 59° F (-20° to 15°C) will reduce the overall flight time. 

Overview

TB60 Intelligent Flight Battery

The TB60 Intelligent Flight Battery powers the aircraft with a capacity of 5,935 mAh and supports the hot-swap function, allowing you to change the batteries without powering off the drone.

WB37 Intelligent Battery

The WB37 battery is a supplemental power source to the built-in lithium-ion battery on the Smart Controller. These batteries can be hot-swapped during a mission as needed. 


BS60 Intelligent Battery Station

The battery station can charge eight TB60 Intelligent Flight Batteries and four WB37 Intelligent Batteries, and it comes with built-in, integrated wheels for easier transport. 


Charging Your Batteries 

Proper battery charging is vital to ensuring maximum flight time and dependability during surveying operations. The BS60 battery case simplifies charging and maintenance operations by automatically bringing batteries to their optimum temperature, which is important for cold-weather operations. 

To charge your batteries:

  1. Connect the BS60 Battery Station to a 120 volt AC power outlet via the provided AC power cable.

  1. Press the power button once to turn on the battery station.

  2. Insert the batteries in the battery ports to charge. Be sure to install them firmly.

  3. Power down and disconnect the battery station after charging is complete or when not in use.

The battery station will first charge the two TB60 Intelligent Flight Batteries with the most remaining battery power. For WB37 Batteries, the station will automatically charge the battery with the highest remaining power.

The battery temperature will warm up automatically before charging if it is too cold.

Refer to the legend on your battery station or in the user manual.

The BS60 Battery Station is also equipped with a buzzer that beeps to show the following errors:

  1. When the battery status LED is red, the buzzer beeps to show a battery error.

  2. The buzzer beeps when the warning LED is red to show a battery station hardware error. 

DO NOT charge the battery immediately after a flight since the battery may still be too hot to charge. Always allow the battery to cool to room temperature before charging again. The ideal battery charging temperature range is from 59° to 104° F (15° to 40° C). 

Never use the battery when the temperature is too cold or too hot. It should only be used in temperatures between -4° and 122° F (-20° to 50° C).

Avoid overdischarging the drone’s battery power during long missions. When returned home, the drone should have at least 20% battery power remaining.

Battery Maintenance

A battery's life may be reduced if not used for an extended period. Fully charge and discharge the battery at least once every three months to maintain battery health. For every 50-cycles, or when prompted by the DJI Pilot app, charge and discharge the batteries.

Standard charge and discharge operation instructions

  1. Charge the batteries to 100%, power off the battery station, and leave the batteries stationary for more than 24 hours. The battery can remain in the battery station if it’s in the off position.

  2. Install the batteries into the aircraft before flight. If the remaining power level is less than 20%, land the aircraft and remove the batteries.

  3. Leave the batteries stationary for more than 6 hours. 

  4. Charge the batteries to 100% power level. 

  5. Repeat the above steps to complete the full charge and discharge cycle. (DJI recommends repeating these steps in order to complete the charge-discharge cycle.)

Checklist for battery maintenance

  1. Charge and discharge the batteries as per instructions at least once every three months.

  2. Make sure the cell voltage difference is less than 0.1 V. The DJI Pilot App will show if the voltage difference between batteries is too high and will prevent the aircraft from taking off.

  3. Make sure the battery is not swollen, leaking, or damaged. 

  4. Make sure the metal battery terminals are clean.

  5. Make sure the battery firmware is updated to the latest version.

Battery Storage

The ideal battery storage temperature is 72° to 86° F (22° to 30° C).

  1. Charge or discharge the battery to 40% to 60% if NOT intended to be used for 10 days or more, which can extend the battery’s overall lifespan. It takes about 6 days to discharge the battery to 60%. You can set the discharging thresholds in the DJI Pilot App, as shown below. 

  1. DO NOT store the battery for an extended period fully discharged. It may lead to irreversible damage. 

  2. Remove the battery from the aircraft when storing it for an extended period. 

  3. Always store batteries in a well-ventilated place. It’s recommended that they be stored in the BS60 Battery Station.

If depleted and stored for an extended period, batteries will enter hibernation mode. Recharge the battery to bring it out of hibernation mode. 

Battery Level

Maximum storage days

0%

12

5%

36

10%

60

15%

86

20%

110

25%

135

30%

160

It will be damaged once the battery storage time exceeds the maximum number of days. As a result, the battery cannot be used, and the warranty will be void. 

TB60 Intelligent Flight Battery Self Heating

When operating in cold-temperature conditions of -4° to 59° F (-20° to 15°C), the battery automatically warms up after being installed in the aircraft and powered on. After takeoff, the self-heating function turns off automatically. 

If the battery is not in the aircraft, press and hold the power button on the battery for five seconds to start self-heating. This will keep the batteries at temperatures between 61° and 68°F (16-20°C) for approximately 30 minutes. Press and hold the battery power button for five seconds to stop heating.

The BS60 Battery Station can also be used to warm up the batteries. Ensure the battery station is powered on with the batteries firmly installed in the battery ports. This will keep the batteries at temperatures between 61° and 68°F (16-20°C) while the battery station is powered on. 


I still can't do it!

We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.

If you're stuck, the Propeller hardware support team may be able to help. You can contact them by emailing hardwaresupport@propelleraero.com.au.

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