Badland Batteries
Lithium-Ion batteries by Packet Digital
Packet Digital has been a leader in building high-performance, ultra-reliable smart batteries for UAS for years. We have a proven track record. Packet builds incredible batteries that the most demanding UAS manufacturers trust. All of that experience and know-how has gone into creating our first off-the-shelf battery, the Badland 12S battery. Every component was meticulously selected, every cell is scrutinized, and all design, testing, and assembly is done at Packet Digital’s facilities in Fargo, ND. We’re on a mission to build American batteries for the UAS industry, and this is our first step.
Badland Battery Features
- Designed, tested, and manufactured in Fargo, ND
- NDAA Compliant
- BMS continuously monitors cell voltages, current, and temperature during operation
- Communicates with the aircraft over the CAN interface to provide critical real time telemetry
- Accurate fuel gauging
- Overvoltage and overcurrent protection to comply with UN 38.3 shipping regulations
- Robust enclosure that complies with UN 38.3 shock and vibration testing
- Automatic self-discharge to extend shelf life during storage
- The cells and circuitry have been thoroughly tested at full-load currents
- Onboard cell balancing (on some models)
- Four 6-32 threaded inserts on bottom of enclosure for easy mounting
- Removable handle on top for easy carrying
Badland 12S | 16.8 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
| Weight | 4,300g |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 228 x 167 x 95 mm |
| Wh Capacity | 725 Wh |
| Ah Capacity (typical) | 16.8 Ah |
| Ah Capacity (min) | 16 Ah |
| Max Continuous Current | 48 amps |
| Max Peak Current | 180 amps 60 seconds |
| Continuous Discharge | 3C |
| Peak Discharge Rate | 10C |
| Voltage | 43.2V |
| Balancer Connector Type | Molex Microfit 16-pin |
| Connector Type | AS150U |
| DroneCAN | Yes |
| Manufactured | Fargo, ND |
Packet Digital’s Custom Battery Development Experience
We’ve built batteries for some of the most demanding customers in the world, and now we’re ready to build batteries for you.
Anduril, the maker of the Ghost VTOL Group 2 sUAS, contracted Packet Digital to manufacture batteries. Packet Digital manufacturing capabilities were essential to tackle this highly challenging build. Additionally, Packet was able to quickly resolve critical supply chain issues through collaboration and experience with top component providers.
Lockheed Martin contracted with Packet Digital to design and manufacture batteries for their Indago 4 UAS platform.
“We have been cycling Packet Digital’s battery for 6 months. It is now at 1000 cycles that’s 10X better than anything we have ever seen, and it only shows 11% degradation”. – Lockheed Martin, Chief Engineer
Badland Battery Instructions
CAN Commands
Communication over the CAN port follows the UAVCAN v0 specification (https://legacy.uavcan.org).
CAN bitrate: 1Mbps
UAVCAN Vendor Specific Type definitions
Charging:
- Fully charge battery before and after use
- Use a charger that is designed for LiPo batteries only.
- Never leave the battery unattended while charging.
- Do not attempt to charge the battery in temperature environments above 40°C or below 10°C, or if the pack temperature is >45°C
General Use:
- Secure battery in vehicle before use
- The battery will generate heat during use. Never allow pack temperature to rise above 70°C during use as cell damage or fire may occur. Warm ambient temperatures, high initial pack temperatures, and heavy loads will generally lead to higher pack temperatures during use.
- Regarding cold ambient or initial pack temperatures, prewarm before use. The use of batteries below 0°C will result in a permanent reduction in battery capacity.
Disposal:
- Dispose of battery only at an appropriate hazardous waste disposal site
Preventing Cell Undervoltage:
- Avoid deep discharge. Even one over-discharge will lead to permanent damage.
- Monitor state of charge and cell voltages while in flight.
- Pay close attention to cell voltages when state of charge is below 10%
- State of charge estimation is on a pack basis and not on a cell basis and therefore there is a risk to undervolting cells in the near-empty region
- Never allow a cell to drop below 3.0V or permanent damage to the cell will occur
Storage:
- Preferred storage at 50% of nominal battery capacity.
- Store in a temperature-controlled space (preferably between 20°C and 30°C), away from moisture, sources of heat, open flames
Sets the output voltage when the output power is less than the maximum powerpoint. This value should be larger than the battery voltage. This does not take effect until the next time the output is turned on.