Overview
For both agricultural (crop-spraying) and industrial drones, regardless of aircraft size or weight, achieving longer flight time and range depends on adequate propulsion power from the drone battery. The relationship between payload and battery selection is driven by the specific application: drones that require long endurance and large payloads use batteries with higher voltage and greater capacity, while lower requirements allow smaller batteries.
Context and scope
Based on input from design engineers at Zhengfang Technology, the following summarizes the relationship between payload and battery selection for mainstream agricultural drones currently on the market.
Payload and battery capacity
Early agricultural drone models were primarily 10 L. Over time designs developed to 16 L, 20 L, 30 L, and 40 L. Within a certain range, increasing payload improves operational efficiency and effectiveness, which has driven growth in payload capacity.
Different applications and regions have different payload preferences. For example, orchard plant protection and broadcasting tasks typically require larger payloads to ensure efficiency, while small, scattered plots often favor small-to-mid-size models and large, regular fields are more suitable for higher-payload models.
Typical battery parameters by payload
Typical battery parameters for representative payload ranges are as follows:
- 10 L early agricultural models: nominal voltage around 22.2 V, capacity roughly 8,000–12,000 mAh, discharge rating around 10C.
- 16 L and 20 L models: capacity typically 12,000–14,000 mAh, nominal voltage 22.2 V; some platforms use higher voltages such as 44.4 V. Discharge ratings commonly range from 10C to 15C.
- 30 L and 40 L models: capacity typically 16,000–22,000 mAh, nominal voltage 44.4 V; some platforms use higher voltages such as 51.8 V. Discharge ratings commonly range from 15C to 25C.
In 2022–2023, mainstream payloads reached about 40–50 L, with some seeding/broadcasting platforms handling up to 50 kg. In the near term, payloads are not expected to continue increasing significantly because several disadvantages emerge as payload rises:
- Manual transport becomes difficult for single or two-person teams, complicating logistics and handling.
- Stronger rotor downwash increases the risk of crop damage or toppling during operations.
- Required charging power grows substantially; some systems exceed 7 kW, placing higher demands on the local power supply and making single-phase power insufficient.
Given these trade-offs, China is expected to remain focused on 20–50 kg class models over the next 3–5 years, with regional choices adjusted to local needs.
Battery product considerations
Zhengfang Technology produces lithium-based drone batteries in a range of nominal voltages and capacities intended to cover typical agricultural payloads. Battery models are available for platforms with tank volumes from about 5 L to 25 L and payloads from roughly 10 kg to 50 kg. Model options and capacities vary and some configurations can be customized to match specific drone requirements. The company has also introduced a 5C fast-charging battery series.
