Agricultural drone batteries — the cost people forget when working out value

When working out whether a drone is worth it, most people only think about the price of the aircraft, but the cost that comes back every year is the batteries.

Not like ordinary batteries

They have to deliver very high current for short periods to lift dozens of kilograms. This heavy use makes them wear out much faster than batteries in ordinary devices.

Service life is counted in cycles, not years

Manufacturers usually state the number of charge cycles they guarantee. This is the number of times the battery can be fully charged and then used until nearly empty. If you work hard every day in spraying season, the cycles run out sooner than you expect. Ask the seller how many cycles the model you are interested in is guaranteed for, and how much a replacement costs once it wears out.

What wears batteries out too fast

Storing them fully charged for long periods, charging them straight away while still very hot after a flight, regularly running them completely flat, and storing them somewhere hot such as in a pickup truck in the sun. These four are the most common in real field work.

Care you can start now at no extra cost

Let the battery cool before charging, store it at a medium charge level when it will not be used for several days, keep it in a shaded, well-ventilated place, and do not routinely fly until the low-battery warning.

Signs a battery is near the end of its life

Flight time clearly shorter while carrying the same load, a swollen or deformed battery, unusually high heat after use, and large voltage differences between cells. With these symptoms, stop using it and have a technician check it rather than forcing it to keep going.

Swollen or damaged batteries are a real fire risk. Do not store them with other things or throw them out with general rubbish. Ask the seller how to deal with them.

Work out the full cost before deciding

Divide the battery price by the number of cycles it can be used for, then add that to your cost per rai. The figure you get is closer to reality than counting only the price of the aircraft, and helps you set contract prices without quietly losing money.