Drone Performance in Sub Zero Temps?

[KEO]

Hi
I am going to Antarctica at the end of the year and want to buy a DJI Mavic Mini to take with. Has anyone any experience in flying this model at temps approaching -20C. It will not be for long periods or far from me.
Thanks
Brett

PS. I am clueless about drones - never owned one.

[tansg]

Bad news manufacturer says Battery Limitations are:

Operating Temperature Range 0° to 40°C (32° to 104°F)

Charging Temperature Range 5° to 40°C (41° to 104°F)

And if the performance of the batteries at cold temps are anything like they are at the hot temps (my experience) you will notice a major drop off in performance when outside that operations envelope. At 45°C I lose about 30% of battery. So your endurance and range can be expected to be limited. It is the nature of this type of battery.

Good luck and enjoy the trip Antarctica is an incredible place.

[181byz]

I flew my Mavic Mini in Livigno Italy last December in temps of around -12 to -18 degrees C. I made sure the battery was warm before usage & hovered the drone for around 2 minutes to make sure all the components were a little warmer before flying around.

It performed perfectly in all modes even sports mode where the wind chill would have made things way colder! Great little drone.. PM if you need any further help.

Kind regards,
Byron

[KEO]

Thanks for the advice above!!

I shall not let the drone venture far and will keep the battery in my armpit until it is used

There is one big drop-off at the SANAE IV base so I wont venture over the edge

[V5 - LEO]

Thanks for the advice above!!

I shall not let the drone venture far and will keep the battery in my armpit until it is used

There is one big drop-off at the SANAE IV base so I wont venture over the edge

......I bet you, you are going to visit that drop off after you have become skilled with operating the drone, I know I would and we want to see it please!!?

[Shepherd]

The DJI Mavic Pro Enterprise has better battery ratings as well are Auto-Heating for the batteries.

But Ditto on seeing the footage, make sure you share it with us....


Here are the specs - Intelligent Flight Battery

Capacity: 3850 mAh
Voltage: 15.4 V
Max Charging Voltage: 17.6 V
Battery Type: LiPo
Energy: 59.29 Wh
Net Weight: 297 g
Charging Temperature: 5℃ - 40℃
Operating Temperature Range: -10℃ to 40℃
Heating Methods: Manual Heating；Auto Heating
Heating Temperature: -20℃ to 6℃
Heating duration: 600s (Max)
Heating Power: 35W (Max)
Charging Time: 90 min
Max Charging Power: 80W

[nic weskus]

Thanks for the advice above!!

I shall not let the drone venture far and will keep the battery in my armpit until it is used

There is one big drop-off at the SANAE IV base so I wont venture over the edge

......I bet you, you are going to visit that drop off after you have become skilled with operating the drone, I know I would and we want to see it please!!?

Brett,
You must place some pics please!
In 2010 I was lucky enough to have been in the North Polar circle, the equator ánd down in Antarctica.

I was at Sanae 50 in 2010/2011.
Awesome!

The cliff drop-off is just behind me.
See that rope fence?
It is all that keeps you from falling over the edge. A long way down, believe me!

During blizzards you can't even see the Kamov KA32 from 5m away.
(Temps -25 and wind chill -45°C).
And believe me, that chopper is massive.

I tried flying my nine eagles cessna there on a 2.4 radio.
No luck. Signal loss about 10m away from you.
Magnetic fields, radar towers etc apparently.
I even had to spray it dayglow orange just to be able to see it!
(luckily there aren't any trees to connect with your aerie)

For Xmas we dug open an old 3m deep submerged pantry from 10 years before, and had a barbeque with the most massive T-bones ever imagined!

Just confirm before you buy a drone whether you would be allowed to fly it there.

Enjoy your trip.
It is one of the last places on earth that man has not yet buggered up.

[Shepherd]

Thanks for the advice above!!

I shall not let the drone venture far and will keep the battery in my armpit until it is used

There is one big drop-off at the SANAE IV base so I wont venture over the edge

......I bet you, you are going to visit that drop off after you have become skilled with operating the drone, I know I would and we want to see it please!!?

Brett,
You must place some pics please!
In 2010 I was lucky enough to have been in the North Polar circle, the equator ánd down in Antarctica.

I was at Sanae 50 in 2010/2011.
Awesome!

The cliff drop-off is just behind me.
See that rope fence?
It is all that keeps you from falling over the edge. A long way down, believe me!

During blizzards you can't even see the Kamov KA32 from 5m away.
(Temps -25 and wind chill -45°C).
And believe me, that chopper is massive.

I tried flying my nine eagles cessna there on a 2.4 radio.
No luck. Signal loss about 10m away from you.
Magnetic fields, radar towers etc apparently.
I even had to spray it dayglow orange just to be able to see it!
(luckily there aren't any trees to connect with your aerie)

For Xmas we dug open an old 3m deep submerged pantry from 10 years before, and had a barbeque with the most massive T-bones ever imagined!

Just confirm before you buy a drone whether you would be allowed to fly it there.

Enjoy your trip.
It is one of the last places on earth that man has not yet buggered up.

What an experience!

[nic weskus]

Shepard,
That's why I placed the photo of Bell in front. I read your signature!
Attached is photo of Kamov. As I said, it's big.

Brett,
I assume you are sailing down with SAS Aghulas.
Beware when you cross the polar circle latitude!
King Neptune awaits
-An inaugeration you will never forget for as long as you live.

We once had a Wandering Albatross follow us for 3 days.
Not even moving it's wings. Just a small twitch in it's wingtip-feathers.
Apparently they never touch land for 2 yrs. Half their brain goes to sleep and rest while they glide the waves.

And take a lot of skin moisuriser/cream along.
The water is so pure that it contains no nutrients. Makes your skin itchy.
Trick is to rub it all over the shower walls. Then you sort-of roll against the walls with your back to reach behind you.

Whatever you do, don't ask someone to rub it on your back. You'll NEVER live it down!

And don't shower for too long.
You'll end up being sent outside for "skivvy duty". Shovelling snow for thawing/melting purposes.

It's sort-of-moerova cold outside!

And even if you do have one, never admit it's your birthday. Bad things happen to you then.

Something about running around the complex. Doors being kept shut till you do x amount of circuits. And on every lap completed you get some of your clothing items back. Usually the boots first.
You NEVER get your pants back before you hadn't at least done 3 or 4 circuits. Or 5 or 6.
I dunno. It's sort-of difficult to count with all that laughter happening around you.

As I said before, it's cold. And the only way to cover up your embarrassment is by using snow. Which sort-of worsens your situation.
Which sort-of leads to more circuits being called for.
Which in turn...
anyway, you get the picture?
(I still feel a little bit guilty about not helping the poor guy. I couldn't. I was laughing too much)

Some very sick people living amongst us


Sterkte boet.
Welcome to the club!

[KEO]

Nic thanks for the excellent information and pictures. I shall relish every moment! I would like to phone you to get personal item packing tips.
To the other Avcommers above, I will post pics when I can!!

Thanks
Brett