Solo Battery Lasting Between 10-12 min

Deleted member 7413 · Nov 16, 2016

Hi Everyone,

I got my Solo from a trade and it came with a DBS Range Extender antenna (excluded the Solo antennas) a Gimbal and a GoPro. From day one my batteries were lasting me only 10-12 min. First I thought it was that my batteries are a bit old and their not keeping the 100% charge; and that's fine. However, yesterday I received my new battery, charged it up to 100% and flew with it on the same day. To my surprise it also lasted me 10-12 min.

My question to you Solo experts is "would the Range Extender be the primary Culprit that is sucking back most of the battery juice? Unfortunately I don't have the antennas that came with the copter to make s comparison and that is why I'm reaching out to you in this forum.

Many thanks.

Pedals2Paddles · Nov 16, 2016

The antennas on your controller have no bearing on the battery life of the solo itself. What % are you landing at?

Deleted member 7413 · Nov 16, 2016

Pedals2Paddles said:
The antennas on your controller have no bearing on the battery life of the solo itself. What % are you landing at?

At about 15-20%

Pedals2Paddles · Nov 16, 2016

Then what you're experiencing is normal. No need to land at 15-20%. Take it to 8-10% and you'll get 14-16 minutes.

Deleted member 7413 · Nov 16, 2016

Pedals2Paddles said:
Then what you're experiencing is normal. No need to land at 15-20%. Take it to 8-10% and you'll get 14-16 minutes.

Thanks for the advice and confirmation. I was hoping that there was something that I was missing and that I was able to get more time from my batteries with the gimbal and GoPro.

twitchyzero · Nov 16, 2016

sounds about what I get
battery life and original GPS without revised shielding is Solo's weakest link

Dash Hewes · Nov 16, 2016

My experience is failsafe at 15%, therefore I have rarely have taken the batteries that low.
Am I wrong?

Pedals2Paddles · Nov 16, 2016

Failsafe kicks in when there is 520 milliamps remaining in the battery. It is not based on % remaining. On a fully charged and healthy battery, that usually occurs around 10-12%.

You can override the failsafe and keep flying if you so choose.

Dash Hewes · Nov 16, 2016

Are you sure, I had failsafe kick in at about 15% when I was in manual I was far from home, it went failsafe RTH, I could not get control back.

Chuck · Nov 16, 2016

Sam007 said:
Thanks for the advice and confirmation. I was hoping that there was something that I was missing and that I was able to get more time from my batteries with the gimbal and GoPro.

Also keep in mind your battery will drain faster if you are flying fast, or in windy conditions. I gain another 2 minutes or so just by setting my speed about halfway on the turtle/rabbit setting. Good luck.....

Pedals2Paddles · Nov 16, 2016

Dash Hewes said:
Are you sure, I had failsafe kick in at about 15% when I was in manual I was far from home, it went failsafe RTH, I could not get control back.

Yes, I am sure. Press FLY (or any other mode button) and you will regain control.

Dash Hewes · Nov 16, 2016

How are you sure? I had this happen, have you? What are you basing your expertise on?

RichWest · Nov 16, 2016

Dash Hewes said:
I could not get control back.

I tend to keep hitting the FLY button until control is returned...seems one press is not enough.

Deleted member 7413 · Nov 16, 2016

twitchyzero said:
sounds about what I get
battery life and original GPS without revised shielding is Solo's weakest link

WRT the revised GPS shielding, I'm interested in knowing what you used, how easy it is to install it and how does it work? Thanks

Dash Hewes · Nov 16, 2016

P2P,
ArduPilot :: Home says: If I'm reading it right 300mAh
When the failsafe will trigger
If enabled and set-up correctly the battery failsafe will trigger if the main battery:

voltage drops below 10.5 volts (configurable) for more than 10 seconds
remaining capacity falls below the configurable Reserved 300 mAh

From latest SOLO Manual v9.02.25.16
The controller monitors the Solo battery during flight and displays alerts when the battery reaches critical levels. At 25% and 15% power remaining, the controller displays a “Return home soon” alert recommending that you end your flight to prevent an automatic landing.
Low Battery Alerts If the battery reaches 10%, Solo initiates Return Home to prevent a crash. After landing, turn off Solo immediately; if the battery level reaches 0% at any time, irreversible damage occurs and the battery should be recycled.

meik · Nov 16, 2016

Sam007 said:
WRT the revised GPS shielding, I'm interested in knowing what you used, how easy it is to install it and how does it work? Thanks

I guess he is referring to this?

Pedals2Paddles · Nov 16, 2016

Dash Hewes said:
How are you sure? I had this happen, have you? What are you basing your expertise on?

Because I've owned the solo for almost a year, and I do exactly that on every flight. When the failsafe kicks in, I hit FLY or the A button I have assigned to manual, take over, and fly it myself. This is also in the manual. So I'm pretty sure I am not making things up.