Flying FPV drones within the winter presents distinctive challenges, each for the pilot and the plane. Low temperatures may even result in such profanity as “good climate for flying, however it’s too chilly to go outdoors”! As somebody who’s been flying within the winter for over a decade, I’d prefer to share some sensible ideas that will help you and your RC fashions survive these freezing winter FPV classes.
Additional Studying: Right here’s an inventory of helpful instruments and spare for constructing and repairing FPV drones.
Battery Efficiency in Chilly Climate
Chilly temperatures have a major affect on battery efficiency. Whereas they stop elements from overheating and make the denser air extra environment friendly for propellers, they’ll trigger batteries to carry out poorly. That is very true for LiPo and Li-ion batteries, which function greatest at round 35°C (95°F). Beneath 18°C (64°F), you’ll discover a marked lower in energy and shorter flight instances.
Conserving batteries heat earlier than and through flights is crucial. Spare batteries in your pocket and used LiPos as hand heaters are sensible options. Throughout flight, fixed amp draw from the drone will assist the battery keep its temperature.
To show this idea, I performed an experiment at round 10°C. I flew my drone round a race course a number of instances and recorded the utmost output energy of the battery. As evident from the graph, the utmost output energy steadily builds up, peaking mid-flight because the battery warms up, however then slowly declines because the battery cost depletes.
Actually, the identical precept applies to any battery usually utilized in any digital gadgets, together with these used within the GoPro cameras. They gained’t final as lengthy within the chilly both. Usually, you would possibly get 10 flights from a battery, however in winter, this would possibly drop to solely 7 flights earlier than it shuts down. A helpful trick is to have a number of spare batteries and rotate them for every flight. Putting them in a heat spot (e.g. your pocket) earlier than inserting into the GoPro can considerably enhance run time. Particular GoPro batteries designed for chilly temperatures are additionally out there.
Transmitter Gloves
Chilly climate impacts your dexterity, making your fingers stiff and numb, and more durable to manage your drone easily. Radio gloves have been my go-to options for holding my fingers heat and nimble.
This transmitter glove I’ve been utilizing for years covers the entire radio and your fingers, whereas permitting a transparent view of the display screen. Extremely Beneficial! Get them right here:
It’s appropriate for varied full-size transmitters, together with the Radiomaster TX16S, Boxer, Zorro, Pocket, Jumper T20S and T-Lite. Nonetheless, be conscious of the plastic cowl collapsing and interfering along with your controls, I merely use some cardboard inserts to carry up the quilt.
There are additionally fingerless gloves, which some folks want. Personally, I don’t discover them heat sufficient—my fingers nonetheless find yourself stiff and numb. Nonetheless, for those who reside someplace comparatively hotter, these may very well be a greater possibility.
Disposable Hand Heaters
Get your disposable hand heaters right here, Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VRawtP.
Priced at simply $0.5 a pack, with every pack lasting about 8 hours (examined and confirmed), these are possible probably the most cost-effective technique to maintain heat for individuals who don’t fly typically. How heat are they? They really feel barely hotter than a LiPo after an intense flight on a 5″ FPV drone, however not scorching sufficient to burn your fingers.
These disposable hand heaters resemble outsized tea baggage and are extremely straightforward to make use of. Merely take them out of the bundle, they usually begin to heat up inside a couple of minutes.
Perfect not only for FPV, these hand heaters are additionally nice for outside walks within the chilly. I particularly like putting one inside my transmitter glove and pocket for distinctive heat, a bit like a cup of Irish espresso however in your fingers 😀
Rechargeable Hand Hotter
For frequent flyers in winter, a chargeable hand hotter is usually a cheaper resolution than the disposable ones. Some fashions double as energy banks, able to recharging your GoPro and smartphone within the area, which is kind of handy.
You may place these hand heaters within the palms of fingerless gloves to stop your fingertips from freezing. Nonetheless, it’s vital to decide on hand heaters which are skinny sufficient to suit comfortably contained in the gloves.
Flying From Contained in the Automobile
One technique to keep heat whereas flying FPV drones in winter is to do it from inside your automotive with the heater on.
Nonetheless, remember that flying from contained in the automotive can weaken the sign as a result of your automotive is principally a metallic cage. You would possibly handle for those who keep inside a comparatively shut vary. It’s advisable to fly cautiously at first to evaluate the discount in vary and adapt accordingly.
Should you goal to fly with a good vary, a workaround is to increase the antennas or use exterior receivers, putting them on the roof of the automotive.
As an illustration, you should use an SMA extension cable with a magnetic base in your radio transmitter. These cables are appropriate for each 900MHz (Crossfire & ExpressLRS) and a pair of.4GHz programs (ExpressLRS, Ghost, Frsky). Take note, although, {that a} lengthy coaxial cable may also result in sign loss. Alternatively, think about mounting the transmitter module outdoors the automotive, though this may be extra complicated.
Buy an SMA Extender with magnetic base (3 meters):
For the video hyperlink, you may mount an exterior receiver on high of your automotive and join it to your goggles with a protracted AV cable. The FuriousFPV Dock-King was a most popular selection because of its built-in magnet that adheres to metallic, however it’s not in manufacturing. Alternatively, you may DIY one thing like I did right here and get it 3D printed.
Goggle Fogging Up
FPV goggles can steam up in winter because of temperature variations. I’ve discovered pre-warming them earlier than use, corresponding to putting them in your brow or simply go away them plugged in for 10 minutes, may also help.
Flying at Night time
Days develop shorter within the winter, for folks with a 9-to-5 job would possibly miss the chance to fly in the course of the day. You would nevertheless fly FPV at night time with a great low gentle succesful digicam. Try this text the place I clarify how one can fly at night time, and in contrast a couple of nice FPV cameras for night time flying. The cameras I examined in that put up are principally analog, for those who use digital system, listed below are different choices.
For DJI, the Caddx Polar and Runcam Wasp are the perfect:
Discover the Caddx Polar from these distributors:
Get the Runcam Wasp right here:
For Walksnail, the Avatar Professional is the perfect:
For analog, the perfect night time cam is the Runcam Night time Eagle:
Should you want a Nano dimension digicam for night time time flying, the Toothless 2 Nano starlight is a fairly good selection. Make certain to get the Starlight model for low gentle although. Purchase Foxeer Toothless 2 Nano Starlight:
Issues Break Extra Simply
Chilly temperatures make plastic components like propellers and TPU extra brittle, tape and glue may also lose stickiness, rising the chance of breakage. Spare components are important.
Nylon prop locknut doesn’t work properly within the winter…
FPV Simulators
Too chilly outdoors? FPV simulators are nice for working towards indoors.
There at the moment are so many choices in the case of FPV sim, with tons of tracks and maps you may apply on. They may maintain you entertained and motivated for a very long time earlier than you get bored.
Try our assessment on all the favored FPV simulator choices.
Flying within the Residing Room
You may get a tiny whoop and fly in the home, they’re tiny and enjoyable (till you fly it into your spouse’s hair)! In case you are questioning which Tiny Whoops to get, try my tiny whoop purchaser’s information which I clarify all the favored choices and associated equipment.
Conformal Coating and Waterproofing
Waterproofing your electronics is essential not just for flying over water but additionally for safeguarding in opposition to additional moisture and water droplets within the air and on grass throughout winter. It’s important to maintain your mannequin dry after every flight session.
As a great apply, place every part in a bag earlier than bringing it indoors. Make sure the bag is closed to retain the chilly, dry air inside. This prevents condensation in your electronics from indoor heat, moist air. As soon as every part warms as much as room temperature, you may take away them from the bag.
For my part, one of the simplest ways to stop moisture is to waterproof the electronics by conformal coating. This isn’t vital for the motors, as they gained’t quick circuit when moist. Nonetheless, think about making use of conformal coating to your flight controller, ESC, video transmitter, receiver, and probably your FPV digicam. Be cautious when making use of the coating; keep away from getting it on buttons, USB connectors, barometers, and digicam picture sensors, as it may possibly injury these elements.
Right here’s my tutorial on waterproofing FPV elements.
Keep in mind, many digital elements can cease working and even burn out upon contact with water, particularly salt water, which is extra electrically conductive than recent water. Waterproofing can shield your elements when flying or crashing in moist environments.
Additionally, bringing a touchdown mat is usually a easy but efficient resolution to maintain your drone clear and dry. Be conscious of the place you land – keep away from puddles, mud, and snow as a lot as potential.
Get A Discharger
Taking good care of your LiPo batteries is crucial, even when not flying.
Should you’re not planning to fly for an prolonged interval (e.g., a month or longer), retailer all of your batteries in a fireproof container and guarantee they’re discharged to round 3.8V and three.85V (the storage voltage) to maximise their lifespan.
When you’ve got totally charged batteries left after a session, use a discharger to deliver them again to storage voltage conveniently.
Conclusion: Winter Does Not Imply Taking a Break from FPV!
Flying FPV drones in winter is an exhilarating expertise that presents distinctive challenges. By getting ready your tools, understanding the environmental results, and adjusting your flying strategies, you may take pleasure in secure and memorable flights. Keep in mind, winter flying would possibly scale back your drone’s effectivity, however the scenic magnificence and the crisp air could make your flights extremely rewarding. Keep heat, keep secure, and benefit from the quieter skies in the course of the winter season.
Edit Historical past
- Nov 2015 – Article created
- Dec 2017 – Added data about LiPo efficiency, Waterproofing, FPV simulator, and warmth pack
- Nov 2018 – Added data about “flying from contained in the automotive”, up to date article
- Jan 2020 – Up to date
- Jan 2021 – Up to date
- Dec 2022 – Up to date, shortened URL
- Dec 2023 – Up to date article and product hyperlinks
- Nov 2024 – Up to date product hyperlinks