Research Article | Open Access | Download PDF
Volume 74 | Issue 6 | Year 2026 | Article Id. IJETT-V74I6P115 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V74I6P115Evaluation of Battery-based and DC Generator Power Sources for High Voltage
Haris Hamizan Hamzah, M. Zulafif Rahim, Fathan Fadzulli, OMF Marwah, SJM Mohd Saleh, MF Yaakub
| Received | Revised | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Aug 2025 | 05 Feb 2026 | 20 Apr 2026 | 27 Jun 2026 |
Citation :
Haris Hamizan Hamzah, M. Zulafif Rahim, Fathan Fadzulli, OMF Marwah, SJM Mohd Saleh, MF Yaakub, "Evaluation of Battery-based and DC Generator Power Sources for High Voltage," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT), vol. 74, no. 6, pp. 211-220, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V74I6P115
Abstract
High-voltage power systems are not well understood, motivating this research to examine performance differences of battery-based versus DC generator power sources on a hexacopter. With more high-performance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) on the market, the need to understand high-voltage power systems is increasing. A battery-based 12S LiPo system (15C and 20C) was compared with a 4000 W DC generator, and thrust, current, and power were measured with 24, 26.5, and 29-inch propellers. The battery-powered system produced more current and power and therefore more thrust at the same voltage than the DC generator system. The optimal configuration for the 12S20C battery was the 29-inch propeller, which produced 79.36 N of thrust. In contrast, the DC generator had to operate at a higher voltage (50.4 V) to achieve a comparable thrust of 79.17 N, which illustrates the differences between the two power sources. In high-voltage UAV applications, the power source selection guidelines are crucial.
Keywords
Tethered drone, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Quad rotor, Power characteristics, Thrust testing.
References
[1] Gopal Dutta, and Purba
Goswami, “Application of Drone in Agriculture: A Review,” International
Journal of Chemical Studies, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 181-187, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Dharmendra Prakash, Alkesh
Agrawal, and Saifullah Khalid, “Comparative Analysis of UAVs: A Study on
Payload Capacity and Performance,” New Innovations in AI, Aviation, and Air
Traffic Technology, IGI Global, pp. 128-149, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Seamus B. Carey, “Increasing
the Endurance and Payload Capacity of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles with Thin-Film
Photovoltaics,” Thesis, Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2014.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Johannes Weniger et al.,
“Emerging Performance Issues of Photovoltaic Battery Systems,” 32nd
European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, 2016.
[Google Scholar]
[5] Darren A. Dehesa, and Shyam
K. Menon, “Modeling of Hybrid-Electric Powertrain for Unmanned Aerial Systems,”
AIAA Propulsion and Energy Forum and Exposition, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Lionel Dongmo Fouellefack,
Lelanie Smith, and Michael Kruger, “Development of a Novel Supervisory
Controller on a Parallel-Hybrid Powertrain for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems,” Aircraft
Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 95,
no. 3, pp. 401-415, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Yavinaash Naidu
Saravanakumar et al., “Power Sources for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A
State-of-the Art,” Applied Science, vol. 13, no. 21, pp. 1-27, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Why High Voltage
Batteries?, Grepow, 2020. [Online]. Available:
https://www.grepow.com/blog/high-voltage-batteries.html
[9] Aerowingfly,
Revolutionizing Flight: How High-Voltage ESCs Elevate UAV Performance,
Aerowingfly, 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://www.aerowingfly.com/html_news/?8-Revolutionizing-Flight-How-High-Voltage-ESCs-Elevate-UAV-Performance-8.html
[10] R. Suganya, L.M.I. Leo Joseph,
and Sreedhar Kollem, “Understanding Lithium-Ion Battery Management Systems in
Electric Vehicles: Environmental and Health Impacts, Comparative Study, and
Future Trends: A Review,” Results in Engineering, vol. 24, pp. 1-18,
2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Wojciech Walendziuk, Daniel
Oldziej, and Maciej Slowik, “Power Supply System Analysis for Tethered Drones
Application,” 2020 International Conference Mechatronic Systems and
Materials (MSM), Bialystok, Poland, pp. 1-6, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Pei-Hsiang Chung, Der-Ming
Ma, anmd Jaw-Kuen Shiau, “Design, Manufacturing, and Flight Testing of an Experimental
Flying Wing UAV,” Applied Sciences, vol. 9, no. 15, pp. 1-22, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]