bourbiza mohamed
Like most individuals, I used to be a bit shocked when DJI introduced the Energy 500 and Energy 1000 energy stations in April 2024. What has a drone producer bought something to do with transportable batteries?
However then it hit me: as a drone proprietor, the comfort of a DJI energy station particularly designed for my drone charging wants is plain. Does the world want a DJI energy station? For drone fans, the reply is a powerful sure.
After spending practically a month with the smaller model, I need to admit, I’ve developed a little bit of an attachment. The Energy 500, regardless of its unassuming measurement, has confirmed to be one of the environment friendly and transportable energy stations I’ve ever had the pleasure of testing.
Whereas the Energy 500 is probably not a one-size-fits-all answer, it is actually a prime contender for travelling creatives, significantly DJI drone pilots and content material creators. For those who’re contemplating investing in a conveyable energy station, I extremely suggest studying my full DJI Energy 500 overview beneath to make an knowledgeable determination.
[First reviewed June 2024]
DJI Energy 500 overview
Worth and availability
The DJI Energy 500 was introduced in April 2024 and is in the stores now straight from DJI UK, DJI US and DJI AU for a really useful value of £459/ $499/ AU$729. On the time of writing, it was on supply at DJI US, promoting for less than $379.
The bigger DJI Energy 1000 retails for £879/ $999/ AU$1,369. It’s at the moment additionally on supply within the US for $699.
Specs
- Capability: 512 Wh
- Max energy output: 1,000 W
- Cost time (0-100%): 70 minutes in Quick Cost Mode
- Weight: 7.3 kg/ 16 Lb
- Measurements (L×W×H): 305 x 207 x 177 mm (12 x 8.14 x 6.96 in)
- Photo voltaic: as much as 400W
- Outputs: 6
- Inputs: 2
- Sturdiness: Mentioned to keep up over 70% capability after 4000 cycles
Design and construct high quality
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
The DJI Energy 500 is without doubt one of the smallest transportable energy stations I examined, weighing a mere 7.3 kg (16 Lb). It has a deal with and will be lifted utilizing one hand solely – once more, not one thing I’m used to from energy stations.
Of those I not too long ago used, the BioLite BaseCharge 1500 weighs 12kg/ 26.5 lbs and the Dabbsson DBS2300 a whopping 24.1kg/ 53.1lb. It’s price mentioning that these have a a lot increased capability than the Energy 500.
The housing is product of sturdy, arduous plastic; there are not any creaking or ill-fitting components. Total, the construct high quality is strong. DJI claims the facility station has handed 26 product take a look at certifications from the Swiss third-party testing authority, SGS, so one hopes it’ll do the job.
Energy is saved within the LFP (lithium ferrophosphate) cells and managed by the model’s Clever Battery Administration System. Due to the built-in temperature sensors, fuses, and flame-retardant, high-strength supplies used for development, the battery can preserve over 70% capability after 4000 cycles.
All eight ports and the LED display are situated on the entrance of the unit. I fairly preferred the easy-to-read show, which clearly tells you what’s occurring with the unit at any given level. It says how a lot power is saved within the battery, the enter and output wattage, and the remaining time till the juice runs out, based mostly on the present circumstances.
The Energy 500 doesn’t have an IP ranking (at the very least, I couldn’t discover one), and the ports are uncovered, so I wouldn’t suggest getting it moist or utilizing it uncovered in dusty environments.
Ports
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
Ports require a separate part on this DJI Energy 500 overview, mainly due to one in every of them, the SDC Lite port. Within the advertising and marketing supplies, DJI emphasised the Energy 500’s (and Energy 1000’s) functionality to cost DJI drones additional quick. That is executed by way of the SDC Lite port, which requires a separate charging cable for every kind of drone.
Utilizing the SDC Lite port, most DJI drones will be charged from 10% to 95% in round half-hour, which suggests in case you have a spare battery, you possibly can fly your UAV just about continuously with one battery on the cost and one in use. That is fairly cool, however it requires you to purchase further equipment for extra cash, which is a bit naughty however comprehensible.
(In keeping with The Verge, DJI plans to develop on the performance of the SDC ports sooner or later through software program updates.)
Along with the SDC Lite port, you get an AC enter (cable included within the field), two AC outputs, two USB-C inputs/outputs, and two USB-A inputs. The max output of the USB-C ports is 100W, whereas the USB-A ports are capped at 24W.
Charging
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Energy 500 will be charged through the AC enter and the 2 USB-C ports. Above the AC enter port, you’ll discover a swap that toggles quick cost on and off. Quick Cost doubles the wattage to 540W and might absolutely replenish the batteries in round 70 minutes.
There’s a toggle swap as an alternative of quick charging being the one possibility as a result of quick charging places some pressure on the batteries—at the very least I feel it does.
USB-C charging takes longer (round three hours utilizing each ports concurrently) and is restricted to 200W (the ports can do 100W every). The bigger Energy 1000 hasn’t bought the USB-C charging possibility; it’s reserved for the smaller unit solely.
Efficiency
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
One factor that amazed me in regards to the Energy 50 is simply how quiet it was. The official quantity is 25dB, and in actuality, I hardly heard the unit once I used to cost my laptop computer and cellphone. It solely made a sound once I fast-charged it, however it was removed from loud.
The web site says you should use the unit to energy fridges, however I assume most individuals will use it to recharge their laptops/telephones and different small electricals, in order that’s what I centered on throughout testing.
I just about used the Energy 500 completely for every week to energy/recharge my MacBook Air M1, and it did it higher than my Belkin wall charger. Not like when utilizing the Belkin mains charger, the MacBook by no means reduce off when it was plugged into the Energy 500.
One factor I observed is that if any of the USB ports are in use, you possibly can’t flip the Energy 500 off. Not like the AC ports, the USB ports haven’t bought a devoted on/off button, so they’re all the time on. That is nice, however you have to be sure to unplug your units earlier than turning the Energy 500 off; in any other case, it’ll preserve charging them till the battery runs out.
Verdict
(Picture credit score: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Energy 500 would possibly look like a left-field product from DJI, however when you contemplate it, it makes a whole lot of sense for the corporate to have the unit in its arsenal.
Drones are used exterior and away from wall sockets, and lots of travelling creatives cost their batteries at energy banks and energy stations when out and about.
Up till now, they needed to depend on third-party merchandise; now, DJI not solely affords a dependable energy provide but additionally a approach to shortly recharge DJI drone batteries. Higher nonetheless, the Energy 500 isn’t extraordinarily costly, both, though you’ll should shell out some additional money for the cables.
Do you have to get one in the event you aren’t a DJI drone pilot? I’d say sure, particularly in the event you’re on the transfer lots and have fairly just a few digital units to energy. When a smaller energy financial institution mighty not reduce it, the Energy 500 will fortunately – and quietly – preserve your electronics going for a few years to come back.
Additionally contemplate
The Jackery Explorer 500 Transportable Energy Station (retailer hyperlink weighs simply 6 kg, is straightforward to hold and affords 500W of energy with a 1000W surge capability, much like the Energy 500. It could cost a number of units concurrently, together with telephones, laptops, and even small home equipment like mini coolers and CPAP machines. Charging choices embody AC, automotive ports, and photo voltaic panels, making it adaptable to numerous conditions. Although it isn’t waterproof and lacks some trendy ports like USB-C, its sturdiness and portability make it a strong alternative for out of doors fans.
