How can a high-efficiency tethered power supply box achieve 24-hour, uninterrupted high-altitude lighting for drones?
Publish Time: 2025-09-18
Tethered drone systems equipped with lighting payloads have become a key technology in the emergency lighting field due to their flexible deployment, high-point illumination, and minimal range concerns. The efficient tethered power supply box, the "energy heart" of the entire system, is the core guarantee for achieving 24-hour, uninterrupted high-altitude lighting for drones.1. Breaking Battery Limitations: Tethered Power Enables Unlimited EnduranceTraditional multi-rotor drones rely on onboard batteries for power, with flight times typically ranging from 20 to 40 minutes, making them inadequate for long-term lighting needs. Tethered drones, on the other hand, utilize a lightweight, high-strength composite cable to continuously transmit power from a ground-based power box to the aircraft, completely eliminating the constraints of battery capacity. An efficient tethered power supply box is typically equipped with a high-power AC/DC power module, which efficiently converts AC power from the mains or generator output into DC power suitable for the drone's flight and lighting payloads, then reliably transmits it to high altitudes via the cable. As long as the ground power supply remains connected, the drone can operate continuously in hover, truly achieving 24-hour lighting coverage without ever touching the ground.2. Efficient Power Management: Reducing Losses and Improving System Energy EfficiencyThe key to achieving long-term, stable power supply lies in "efficiency." An efficient tethered power supply box utilizes high-efficiency power modules to minimize heat loss during the power conversion process. Furthermore, to address voltage drops during long-distance power transmission, the box is equipped with intelligent voltage stabilization and boosting technology, automatically adjusting the output voltage based on cable length to ensure stable and sufficient voltage at the drone end.3. Integrated Design: Integrating Power Supply, Heat Dissipation, and Safety ProtectionAn efficient tethered power supply box is more than just a power supply; it is an intelligent system that integrates power management, thermal management, and safety monitoring. It typically incorporates multiple safety mechanisms, including overvoltage, overcurrent, short-circuit, overheating, and reverse polarity protection. Upon detecting an anomaly, it immediately shuts off output to protect the drone and operator. Furthermore, a forced air or liquid cooling system ensures the power module temperature remains within a safe range during prolonged, high-load operation, preventing performance degradation or shutdown due to overheating. Some power supply boxes also support UPS functionality. In the event of a sudden mains power outage, the box can switch to the internal backup battery or connect to a generator to maintain a safe hover or slow landing of the drone, preventing a crash.4. Compatible with Medium-Sized Industrial Drones: Support for High-Power Lighting LoadsTethered drones used for high-altitude lighting are typically 5-10kg industrial-grade platforms. They can be equipped with high-power LED searchlights, floodlights, or combined lighting systems, with a total power consumption of 500W-2000W. An efficient tethered power supply box must have sufficient output power and support multiple independent outputs to supply the drone's flight control system and external lighting equipment. For example, in a typical 10kg/100m configuration, the power supply box must deliver stable power at an altitude of 100 meters. This allows drones carrying high-brightness lighting modules to provide illumination exceeding 100 lux within a 200-meter radius, effectively acting as a "skylighthouse." This system is widely used in scenarios such as traffic accident scenes, field search and rescue, and power repairs.5. Rapid Deployment and Environmental AdaptabilityHigh-efficiency tethered power supply boxes typically feature a modular, portable design and can be integrated into cabinets or mobile power carts, enabling rapid deployment and retraction. Their enclosures, with an IP54 rating and above, operate reliably in harsh environments such as rain, snow, dust, and high and low temperatures, making them suitable for a variety of emergency scenarios, including those in the field, urban areas, and at sea.With continuous power supply, intelligent voltage regulation, multiple protections, and high power output, the high-efficiency tethered power supply box completely addresses the short flight range of drones, providing reliable and long-lasting energy for high-altitude lighting missions. With the growing demand for 24/7 operations, this system represents not only a technological breakthrough but also a crucial support for emergency response capabilities.
