How to store your drone sprayer for winter

Nov 10, 2020

When harvest is complete and the last leaves make their way to the ground, winterizing your greatest assets becomes a priority for those in harsh climates. Safeguarding your drone in winter is no different.

Winter drone storage doesn’t have to be complicated. A little cleaning and thoughtful storage conditions go a long way. The following tips will guide you through how to properly store your drone sprayer for the winter, including how to store drone batteries.

Drone storage — The big five

Follow these five key steps to ensure you properly store your drone this winter.

1. Drone spraying components

The spraying components of your drone include two subsets.

The first:

Nozzle caps
Tips
Gaskets
Check-valves
Diaphragms

These spraying components of your drone should be removed, cleaned and stored in a climate-controlled area. This will keep the seals from deteriorating.

The second:

Tank
Pumps
Filters

To prepare the second set of spray components for winter storage you’ll want to make sure to clean the tank of your drone with a tank-cleaning solution or neutralizer. Additionally, ensure all caps and filters are removed so that everything can air dry completely. Never leave liquid of any kind in your sprayer tank over the winter. If you have leftover pesticide in your tank, follow these tips from Farm Progress for proper chemical storage in winter.

Next, let the pumps run dry for about ten seconds. Once complete, store all spray components in a climate-controlled area. If your storage area lets in sunlight, be mindful to not leave hoses or other spraying components vulnerable to months of ultraviolet light.

2. Drone and remote control

It’s common sense to clean the drone itself when preparing for winter storage, but don’t forget about the remote control. Both your drone and remote should be wiped cleaned and stored in a climate-controlled area. Maintain a temperature between 72-82º Fahrenheit for best optimal drone storage conditions.

3. Drone batteries

Perhaps the most important part of winterizing your drone is to never let the batteries drain to zero . Properly storing drone batteries is key to prolonging the life and health of your drone.

Wonder how to store drone batteries the right way? Rantizo support technicians suggest the best practice is to charge the batteries all the way , then store them in a climate-controlled area out of direct sunlight.

The internal computer in the batteries will slowly drain them until they reach approximately 50% charge. This is the optimum charge level for long-term storage between application seasons.

4. Battery chargers

Don’t forget the tools you use to recharge your drone batteries! Battery chargers for your drone sprayer batteries should be stored in a climate-controlled area.

5. Dry spreader attachment

The dry spreader attachment for your drone sprayer should also be wiped clean and stored in a climate-controlled area.

Have more questions or looking for additional drone storage guidance? Send us a message at info@rantizo.com. Our support team is happy to help.

The post How to store your drone sprayer for winter appeared first on Rantizo.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

past blog posts

Related blogs

Rantizo Certified Technician Helping Drone Operator

Why Do I Need Spray Drone Support?

02 May, 2024

As spray drone technology continues to evolve, operators often encounter challenges requiring expert support. From calibration uncertainties and warranty repairs to technical troubleshooting and regulatory questions, the complexities can be daunting. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or just starting out, here’s how a support package can benefit your business. 1. Calibration Questions Calibrating your drone helps ensure correct readings for more precise spray coverage. A support team can provide peace of mind that you’ve completed the process correctly, allowing you to fly with confidence. For example, calibrating your drone helps in getting a correct report on targeted vs. actual gallons per acre sprayed following a job. Common questions asked: How do I calibrate the spray system of the drone? How often do I need to calibrate my drone? Why should I calibrate my drone? 2. Warranty Repairs If your drone malfunctions or breaks down, maintain your warranty and investment by having a Certified Technician to assist with repairs. Find a team that can help you facilitate the process and provide clear instructions to help you get back to work efficiently. Common questions asked: Why am I receiving an error message? My drone is having malfunctions that I can’t figure out. Can you help? What documents do I need to complete for warranty repairs? Why is my pump not spraying? 3. Technical Troubleshooting Technology isn’t perfect and errors do occur. Troubleshooting errors alone can be a headache. Having a drone expert you can call for help will make it easier to solve these tricky problems and get you back in the air faster. Common Questions asked: Why is my drone giving me a pump error message? Why am I getting ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) errors? Why is my charger not fast charging? Why am I getting kicked into manual flight mode? Why is my RTK not connecting? Why won’t my drone take off? 4. Regulatory Questions Starting an FAA-compliant spray drone business can be intimidating. But with the right support team, you can confidently ask any regulatory question, basic or advanced. Common questions asked: How close can I fly to an airport? What do I need if the FAA shows up and questions me? How far away from roads do I need to be? How long does my medical card last? Why did my registration get denied? 5. Basic Operation Questions Quick questions deserve a quick answer. Especially when that question could directly affect your in-field performance. When choosing a support team, ensure that you reach a real person via call, text or email who can supply that quick answer to get you back in the air. Common questions asked: How to only spray a field boundary? What is the optimal gpa to spray fungicide? What should I set my swath width at if I’m spraying a pasture? What should my chemical mixture be to spray 30 acres of wheat at 2gpa? Where should I set up my RTK? 6. In-Field Repairs Downtime is lost revenue. With a support package, you can get the support you need to get back in the air quickly. Call in with a quick repair question or troubleshoot a larger issue with a Certified Technician. They can advise on in-field repairs or schedule your drone for repairs at our shop. Common questions asked: How do I change the propellers? Why aren’t the pumps spraying at max rate? How do I change the hopper gate on the dry spreader? How do I lock the battery in? 7. Product Recommendations At times, a fresh perspective is essential. Ensure that the drone support package you choose comes with a dedicated support line, offering top-notch advice on products such as generators, nozzles, components, or personal protective equipment. Common questions asked: What is the best propeller to use? What nozzles are best for fungicide? What is the best generator for my set up? Where can I buy a mixing tank? This season, make sure you have reliable support that you can count on. For more information on support packages available from Rantizo, visit www.rantizo.com/our-services or request a quote today.