Astro SB007-2 – SL8 Battery Incident Resolution

Date Released: July 19 2024

Subject: SL8 Battery Incident – investigation update

Effectivity: Immediate

Required Action:  Order ESD stickers and install on SL8

INTRODUCTION

This is an update to our previous service bulletins regarding SL8 failures and potential fires. We have discovered important new info that will help users operate more safely.

DISCUSSION

During the course of ongoing testing we discovered that the SL8’s are susceptible to high levels of electrostatic discharge (ESD) via the heatsink found on the front of the batteries. During testing we were able to cause a failure of the 3v3 regulator and OLED screen when we introduced ESD on the magnitude of 5kV. In rare instances this can cause the OLED screen to fail, and could cascade into a thermal runaway leading to a cell venting / fire.  This level of ESD might be possible during the course of normal use during high ESD conditions.

We were only able to replicate damage to the battery when we introduced large ESD events WHILE charging.

We were able to mitigate this risk completely by installing stickers over the heatsink. We are offering stickers for anyone with SL8’s. You can place a free order for stickers for your batteries here

RECOMMENDATION

Order and install stickers to prevent accidental ESD damage here.

Additionally if you have an OLED screen on an SL8 stop working, please consider the battery dangerous and contact Freefly support.