DJI Air 2S Battery (All You Need to Know)

The DJI Air 2S is an all-in-one drone with built-in ADS-B Air Sense, four-directional obstacle sensing, FHD video transmission, 5.4k-quality video, a CMOS sensor for photography, and the MasterShots feature. It’s one of the best consumer drones around, but what about the battery? What do you need to know?

The DJI Air 2S uses an Intelligent Flight Battery, a type of DJI-produced lithium-ion battery that promises 31 consecutive minutes of flight. You can track battery charging using the DJI Intelligent Battery Management System.

If you have more questions about the Air 2S’s battery, we have answers. In this extensive guide, we’ll cover all topics related to this DJI drone’s battery, including how to charge it, how long it takes to charge, and installation error troubleshooting.

Let’s get started! 

What Battery Does the DJI Air 2S Use? #

The Air 2S, being a DJI drone, uses that manufacturer’s own Intelligent Flight Battery. This is a high-energy lithium-ion or Li-ion battery. 

Li-ion batteries are common in many electronics, from electric cars to appliances, power tools, toys, and smartphones. These rechargeable batteries are favored so heavily because their self-discharge is low and they don’t cause memory effects. Their rate of energy density, which accounts for the energy stored within the battery, is also quite high.

Similar to a LiPo battery, a Li-ion battery uses a chemical electrolyte to store a charge, but the main difference here is a slightly different electrolyte. Li-ion batteries are higher density than LiPo batteries, meaning they can hold more charge.

Here’s how a Li-ion battery works. Lithium ions within the battery transition from negative to positive electrodes as you discharge (more on discharging your battery later). Then, when charging, the lithium ions go from positive to negative electrodes. 

The negative electrode features graphite while the positive electrode is comprised of intercalated lithium compound. 

When DJI releases a new drone, it usually comes with its own version of the Intelligent Flight Battery. That’s not so for the Air 2S. Instead, the Air 2S uses the same battery as the Mavic 2, the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery.

Boasting a triple-celled polymer Li-ion battery, the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery features the DJI Intelligent Battery Management System for tracking the charging progress of your battery. 

The rated capacity for the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery is 40.42 Wh or 3500 mAh. Its rated voltage is 11.55 volts. The battery’s charge temperature should remain between 23- and 113-degrees Fahrenheit and its discharge temperature between 14 and 140 degrees. 

The Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery retails for $115. However, you get one battery with your purchase of the DJI Air 2S. If you take care of it, it should last you for a while.  

Built-in safeguards included with the Intelligent Flight Battery make it a safer option for charging your Air 2S than is often the case with a standard LiPo battery. Here is an overview of those included features.

Over-Discharge Protection #

Most LiPo and Li-ion batteries will self-discharge when the battery is inactive to protect the health of the battery (storing at a full charge can damage the battery). But it’s also harmful to let the charge levels get too low.

The Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery solves this by automatically stopping the auto-discharge if the discharge level is getting too low while the battery is inactive. However, when you do use the Air 2S battery, the over-discharge protection is not enabled.

Temperature Detection #

To maintain ambient temperatures so the battery can operate and recharge, the battery will charge only when temperatures are at least 41 degrees or up until it reaches 104 degrees.

Overcharge Protection #

Li-ion batteries shouldn’t generally even be charged to 100 percent for the life of the battery, let alone over 100 percent. Overcharge protection built into the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery stops the charging when the levels reach 100 percent even if you’re not there to disconnect the battery from the charger.

Balanced Charging #

This feature ensures that the battery cell voltages remain consistent so one cell of the battery isn’t working harder than the others. By creating even wear like this, your battery will last longer. 

Auto-Discharging #

As mentioned above, the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery has an auto-discharge feature to limit damage to the battery. If the battery is idle, then the discharge will bring the battery to 96 percent charge on the first day, then to 60 percent if the battery remains idle over five days. 

Hibernation Mode #

If your battery is idle for 20 minutes, it goes into power-saving mode and turns off. Should the battery percentage be below five percent, then Hibernation Mode kicks in. Hibernation Mode is designed to prevent over-discharging when your battery is idle for long periods. 

By charging the battery again, you can awaken it from Hibernation Mode. For more tips on how to get your battery out of hibernation mode, check out our article Mavic Pro Battery Won’t Charge: Here’s How to Fix it.

Short Circuit Protection #

No short circuits here! Attesting to its nature as smart, the Intelligent Flight Battery can turn off its own power supply when it senses a short circuit to preserve your battery. 

How Long Does a DJI Air 2S Battery Last? #

Once you charge your Air 2S fully, how long will be it until you must ground your drone and recharge the battery again? **The Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery promises 31 minutes of flight for the Air 2S. **

If you used this Intelligent Flight Battery with the original Mavic Air 2, then you’d get 34 minutes. However, a difference of three minutes is nothing to split hairs over. 

How Long Do DJI Air 2S Batteries Take to Charge? #

Your 31 minutes went by in a flash, as you were having so much fun using your Air 2S for photography and videography. Now it’s time to charge the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery. How long will this take?

According to DJI, the Air 2S’s battery will be fully charged in an hour and 40 minutes if you provide the proper conditions for the battery. Although this seems like a long time, the Air 2S only uses one battery, so you’re waiting under two hours for it to be ready.

If you work as a professional drone photographer, videographer, or surveyor, then yes, this downtime can be an issue. For recreational drone pilots though, a two-hour break isn’t going to dissuade you from buying the DJI Air 2S. 

If you simply must get up and flying again before the 1 hour 40 minute wait is up, you can get an extra battery or two. In fact, if you get the Fly More Combo, you get 2 extra batteries, for a total of 3. Or you can buy extra batteries separately. 

How to Remove the DJI Air 2S Battery #

You can’t exactly charge the Air 2S battery if you can’t remove it. So how do you do that?

On the side of your Air 2S, you should see the battery compartment. If this is your first time removing the battery, then pushing on the side battery buckles might not release the battery all the way. 

You’ll have to apply more pressure, typically upward, and then pull the battery down while still holding onto the side buttons. As you pull the battery compartment down, aim it towards the drone’s rear. 

The more you use the battery buckles to remove the battery compartment, the easier the battery will come out. It’s just the first few times that you might find it a bit stiff and have to struggle a bit. 

How to Charge the DJI Air 2S Battery #

Now that your Air 2S battery is freed, it’s time to charge it. Exactly how do you do that? Per the DJI Air 2S owner’s manual, here are the steps to follow.

Step 1 #

Your Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery will include an AC power adapter. Plug that in now to a source of AC power that’s 50 to 60 hertz or 100 to 240 volts. 

Step 2 #

Find your battery charging cable, which should be included with your DJI Air 2S purchase if the drone was bought new. Plug the cable into your AC power adapter and then to the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery. The battery should be off when you do this.

Step 3 #

Check the LED lights on the Intelligent Flight Battery Management System, which will indicate how depleted your batteries are. We’ll talk more about these LED indicators in the next section.

Step 4 #

Allow the battery to restore power until it’s fully charged. Then you can remove the battery from the charger and unplug the charger. 

Step 5 #

Put the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery back in your Air 2S. To do this, open the battery compartment and insert the battery snugly. If the battery wiggles, then push it into place until it’s secure. You’ll hear a click sound. 

DJI recommends the following when charging the Air 2S battery:

• Before you move the battery to its charging port, discharge it to at least 30 percent. In other words, let the battery deplete that much through usage before recharging.
• Check your temperature. Remember, the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery includes temperature protection, so if the temps dip below 40 degrees or spike over 104 degrees, the battery will stop charging.
• Let the Intelligent Flight Battery cool down somewhat before charging it. DJI says you should not charge the battery right after using your Air 2S. The battery should be at room temperature when charging. 

How to Know When a DJI Air 2S Battery Is Fully Charged #

The Air 2S battery has an Intelligent Flight Battery Management System included, as we’ve touched on. This system allows you to track your battery progress before and while the battery charges. 

The Intelligent Flight Battery Management System uses four LED lights. When all four LEDs turn off, then your battery is fully charged. 

Here’s what it means when you see the lights on and when some of them blink or flash.

• All four LED lights are on: the battery is at 88 percent or over
• Three LED lights are on and the fourth is flashing: the battery level is between 75 to 88 percent
• Three LED lights are on and the fourth is off: the battery level is between 63 to 75 percent
• Two LED lights are on, the third is flashing, and the fourth is off: the battery level is between 50 to 63 percent
• Two LED lights are flashing and two are off: the battery level is between 38 to 50 percent
• One LED light is on, the second is flashing, and the last two are off: the battery level is between 25 to 38 percent
• One LED light is on and the other three are off: the battery level is between 13 to 25 percent
• One LED light is flashing and the other three are out: the battery is between 0 to 13 percent 

How to Discharge a DJI Air 2S Battery #

The auto-discharge feature of the Air 2S battery is a safeguard and not what you should rely on to discharge the battery unless necessary. 

Discharging a battery reduces its energy or voltage. This is something that happens naturally whenever you use your batteries and even when you don’t. If you’ve ever noticed that your smartphone battery gradually dwindles even if you’re barely on it, this is an example of discharging.

Many drone owners discharge their batteries before traveling, but how do you do it? To discharge the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery, you have several options. 

In a pinch, you can always take off the propellers of the Air 2S and let the rotor spin until the batteries die. However, this puts unnecessary strain on the rotor that can, over time, shorten the life of your drone. Yes, even DJI drones can break. 

What we recommend as a better method of routinely discharging your battery to a safe level for travel or storage is to buy a power bank adapter from DJI (which costs $30 or less on Amazon) and then plugging in your smartphone or tablet. When the power bank adapter is on, your tablet or phone can charge and suck up the Intelligent Flight Battery’s power. 

Heat is normal when discharging, according to DJI, so don’t be afraid if your batteries feel a little warm. Avoid handling them until they cool down. 

How to Do Firmware Updates on a DJI Air 2S Battery #

DJI utilizes firmware for its multitude of drones. Every now and again, you’ll have to update your Air 2S firmware to keep the drone current. 

To do this, you’ll need to download the DJI Fly App, which is free. Here’s the download link courtesy of the DJI Download Center on their official website. You can use the DJI Fly App for both Android and Apple devices.

Once you have the app downloaded, set up, and running, connect your Air 2S drone to the DJI Fly App. If there’s a firmware update, the app will indicate as much.

You can update your Air 2S’s firmware by following the instructions provided to you through the app. You must have an Internet connection and a remote control linked to your drone to update the firmware. 

Firmware updates to the drone will automatically include any relevant updates to the battery.

DJI Air 2S Battery Installation Error – What to Do #

Unfortunately, sometimes after pulling your DJI Air 2S out of the box and getting it ready for flight, you’re greeted with an error that states the following: “Battery installation error. Aircraft unable to take off. Ensure battery is installed properly.”

By looking at the error details, you’ll see this message: “Battery installed incorrectly. Detach battery and reinstall it (Code 30068).”

What does this mean and what should you do now? Well, first, it’s worth checking to see if your batteries are still in Hibernation Mode. Before using the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery for the first time, you should put it on the charger to disengage Hibernation Mode.

If that doesn’t do it, then there might be something faulty with your battery. Contact DJI for a replacement. 

Conclusion  #

The DJI Air 2S uses the Mavic 2 Intelligent Flight Battery to provide 31 minutes of flight and to recharge in under two hours. Now that you better understand your drone’s battery, you can keep the battery in good shape so it can keep powering your Air 2S for a long time to come!

Image Credit: DJI