Charging in the field

Brandon R. · Mar 15, 2017

Hey everyone!

Just popping in real quick to ask what you all think is the best solution for charging those TB50s in the field? For those times when an AC outlet just isn't available...

Do you use power banks? Or maybe inverters to plug into the car? I want to avoid taxing my car battery too hard, but I don't have enough experience to say whether it would work out or not.

What do you use? And, what would you recommend for a theoretical scenario of field charging a controller and a pair of batteries at the same time (on the standard 4 battery charger the drone comes with, like you would with a standard AC outlet)?

Thanks in advance!

jmkreege · Mar 15, 2017

Honda EU2000i

Brandon R. · Mar 15, 2017

jmkreege said:
Honda EU2000i

It'd certainly work, but it's also overkill. Of course, I could get a smaller generator, but it'd be nice to have something that can charge while I drive if I have multiple projects in one day.

Chris A · Mar 15, 2017

I've been looking and there doesn't appear to be much other than a generator that is low risk.

jmkreege · Mar 15, 2017

Deep cycle batteries then, but you'll want them outside the car. At the point you could just as easily have the generator chugging outside. Anything that charges multiple batteries quickly will pull down your cranking battery before you know it

Brandon R. · Mar 16, 2017

Ok, so a generator looks like the most likely solution.

However, as a last question, if I had an electric vehicle like a Chevy Bolt (something I've been pondering), for example, I think I could charge it off of the car's 60Kwh battery with little consequence. Is that right?

Chris A · Mar 16, 2017

Brandon R. said:
Ok, so a generator looks like the most likely solution.

However, as a last question, if I had an electric vehicle like a Chevy Bolt (something I've been pondering), for example, I think I could charge it off of the car's 60Kwh battery with little consequence. Is that right?

That's beyond my knowledge to be honest

Joel17 · Mar 16, 2017

Brandon R. said:
Hey everyone!

Just popping in real quick to ask what you all think is the best solution for charging those TB50s in the field? For those times when an AC outlet just isn't available...

Do you use power banks? Or maybe inverters to plug into the car? I want to avoid taxing my car battery too hard, but I don't have enough experience to say whether it would work out or not.

What do you use? And, what would you recommend for a theoretical scenario of field charging a controller and a pair of batteries at the same time (on the standard 4 battery charger the drone comes with, like you would with a standard AC outlet)?

Thanks in advance!

Can anyone confirm whether this would work and wouldn't be harmful to the Inspire batteries? Amazon.com : Goal Zero 23000 Yeti 400 Solar Generator : Inverter Power Generators : Electronics

deltalimatango · Mar 16, 2017

I use an inverter at the moment. Looking to buy 4 x TB 50's when they come out.

Mark Taylor · Mar 16, 2017

Joel17 said:
Can anyone confirm whether this would work and wouldn't be harmful to the Inspire batteries? Amazon.com : Goal Zero 23000 Yeti 400 Solar Generator : Inverter Power Generators : Electronics

It is really just a 400Wh power pack, the 'solar' side is a gimmick, the panels will be far too slow in charging the pack for it to make a difference so just consider it as a 12V 33Ah battery with a built in inverter.

At that price I'd rather just buy an extra pair of packs for the I2...

smoak5 · Mar 16, 2017

I bought the anker powerhouse for other applications....outdoor strobes for photos, charging batteries/iPad etc, running fans at outdoor soccer matches....sure it cost $400 and some say just buy extra batteries with that cost, but you can do so much more with it I feel.

Bri Guy · Mar 16, 2017

How about taking the money for the nice Honda generator and buy more packs??

I film large events, football games, triathlons, etc, and get by with 8 packs.

Joel17 · Mar 17, 2017

smoak5 said:
I bought the anker powerhouse for other applications....outdoor strobes for photos, charging batteries/iPad etc, running fans at outdoor soccer matches....sure it cost $400 and some say just buy extra batteries with that cost, but you can do so much more with it I feel.

I was also scoping out the Anker as well--the versatility does seem appealing. Have you used it to charge the TB50s?

smoak5 · Mar 17, 2017

Yes. Works well with inspire and mavic chargers.

mattbeardsley · Mar 17, 2017

Great topic, I charge Lipos off a car battery regularly, using more traditional DC chargers. Mavic makes it super easy too, including a cigarette lighter plug in the kit. What are the DC requirements of the Inspire 2 charger?

dmarti3 · Mar 18, 2017

Nothing beats a small Honda generator, pure sinewave is needed. Good for camping as well.

videosophy · Mar 18, 2017

dmarti3 said:
Nothing beats a small Honda generator, pure sinewave is needed. Good for camping as well.

Can't bring that to a trip on another continent for example though.

Dejan Smaic · Mar 18, 2017

A 750 watt inverter connected directly to the vehicle battery. My power outlet inside my truck does not provide enough juice for teh TB50.

jfro · Mar 18, 2017

I have and would highly recommend the 2000 watt Honda Generator. It can do double duty for your home if you lose power to run a small to medium furnace and a couple lights. Best part is the resale is crazy on these and if you decide to sell it, you will lose very little on your investment. I bought a lightly used one and would bet if I sold it now (3 years later) I'd get close to what I paid for it as it still looks and runs like new. For charging using my 1,000 watt power supply and 5 inspire chargers, I often run it in economy mode and it runs a very long time on a gallon of gas. Best investment for drones you can make and it does much more than just charge your batteries. There are others for much less that will do other same thing as charging your batteries is pretty easy on the generator.

SEDroneTech · Mar 18, 2017

Brandon R. said:
Hey everyone!

Just popping in real quick to ask what you all think is the best solution for charging those TB50s in the field? For those times when an AC outlet just isn't available...

Do you use power banks? Or maybe inverters to plug into the car? I want to avoid taxing my car battery too hard, but I don't have enough experience to say whether it would work out or not.

What do you use? And, what would you recommend for a theoretical scenario of field charging a controller and a pair of batteries at the same time (on the standard 4 battery charger the drone comes with, like you would with a standard AC outlet)?

Thanks in advance!

We us an inverter mounted in the car and direct wired too the battery. I installed a second battery and an isolator. We hard wired as we use a 3,000 watt inverter and the wiring from the standard accessory plug/lighter cannot handle the power draw. The problem with a generator is extra system, need too haul gas too which if it is in enclosed car then you have fuMes, etc.