DJI Phantom 3 Battery Recovery

Summary

This video demonstrates a process for reviving a DJI Phantom 3 battery from hibernation. The creator walks through the steps of soldering wires onto the battery's circuit board, connecting to the clock, data, and ground pins. Using specialized software, they unseal the battery's chip, clear the protection flag, and re-seal the chip to restore the battery's functionality. After the process is completed, the battery can be charged and used again in a drone. The tutorial includes detailed instructions and highlights the risks involved, emphasizing safety when working with lithium-ion batteries.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always exercise caution when working with batteries, as they can be dangerous and may cause fires if mishandled.
• 😀 The process described is for unsealing and waking up a DJI Phantom 3 battery from hibernation.
• 😀 The battery in question initially had low voltage, but the individual manually raised the cell voltages to a usable level.
• 😀 Soldering wires onto specific pins on the battery is necessary for the process, including ground, clock, and data pins.
• 😀 The clock and data pins need to be connected to a small 2IC board for proper communication with the battery's management system (BMS).
• 😀 If the battery doesn't have enough power to drive the BMS, plugging in a charger may be required to supply additional power.
• 😀 It's important to ensure solid solder connections to prevent the wires from detaching during the process.
• 😀 The software used in the process (DJI battery killer software) helps in communicating with the battery's chip and extracting necessary information.
• 😀 To wake the battery from hibernation, the process involves unsealing the chip, clearing the PF flag, and then resealing the chip.
• 😀 After the process, the battery should be able to charge and be used in a drone again, but issues with the chip may require further investigation.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the process described in the video?

The process is for unsealing and reviving a DJI Phantom 3 battery that has gone into hibernation, allowing it to be used again for charging and power consumption.

Why is it important to note that this process is for educational purposes only?

It is important because working with batteries, especially lithium-based ones, can be dangerous. Incorrect handling could lead to serious risks like fire or battery damage, and the person performing the procedure does so at their own risk.

What should be the voltage range for the DJI Phantom 3 battery to be usable?

The voltage of the battery needs to be brought up to a level where it is safe to power up, which in this case is around 15 volts.

What is the significance of soldering wires to the battery?

The wires need to be soldered to specific pins (ground, clock, and data) on the battery’s BMS (Battery Management System) to allow communication and control via an external device.

Why is the video creator using a 2IC board?

The 2IC board is being used to interface with the battery's BMS and facilitate the unsealing process, allowing the battery to be reactivated.

What is the issue with the PF flag in the battery?

The PF flag is set when the battery is sealed, which prevents charging or using the battery. The process described in the video clears the PF flag, allowing normal usage of the battery.

What steps are involved in unsealing and reactivating the battery?

The process involves connecting to the BMS, reading the registers, unsealing the chip, clearing the PF flag, and then resealing the chip to make the battery usable again.

What tool is used to interact with the battery’s BMS?

The video uses specific software for interacting with the BMS chip, which is a part of the device being connected via a CP212 interface. The software allows you to read and manipulate the battery's settings.

What could prevent the battery from being reactivated successfully?

If the battery does not have enough power to drive the BMS, the charger may need to be connected to provide enough energy to allow the unsealing process to proceed.

What should be done if the process fails to unseal the battery?

If the unsealing fails, the chip keys may need to be reset using a different procedure, as explained in the video. Further troubleshooting may involve reviewing the chip's datasheet or logs to identify the issue.