Skydio X10 Battery Shim Installation

Published: Updated:

  1. Skydio
  2. Skydio X10
  3. Maintenance and Troubleshooting Skydio X10

This procedure explains how to install a Battery Shim on the X10 Drone.

[note]This procedure applies to both Gen 1 (grey/black) and Gen 2 (all grey) X10 Drones.[/note]

Required Items

The following items are provided in a kit.

Parts

Qty Item
1x Battery Shim

Fasteners and Consumables

Qty Item
2x M1.6 Silver Flat Head Screw
1x 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Cleaning Wipe

Tools

Qty Item
1x T6 Screwdriver

Preparation

  1. Before servicing, turn the Drone OFF.

    [warning]Risk of serious injury from rotating propellers. Propeller blades are sharp and can cause severe injuries. Keep fingers, hands, and all body parts away from moving propellers at all times. Handle propellers with extreme caution and care.[/warning]

  2. Remove the Battery from the Drone.
  3. Place the Drone upside down with the Battery Bay facing upward.


  4. Use a 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Wipe to thoroughly clean the entire Battery Shim installation area.
    [note]Ensure the surface is completely dry before proceeding.[/note]


Installation Steps

  1. Locate and remove 2x M1.6 Black Round Head Screws using the provided T6 Screwdriver.

    To prevent stripping the screws, apply firm downward pressure while removing.

    [note]Discard 2x Black Round Head Screws after removal. Do not reinstall. Use 2x Silver Flat Head Screws included in the kit.[/note]


  2. Position the Battery Shim in the Battery Bay with the adhesive side facing down, directly under the Battery Connector Pins.

    Align the Battery Shim as follows:

    • The Battery Shim matches the exact contour and outline of the vehicle surface.
    • The 2x indented bosses on the Shim align with the 2x Screw Holes on the Drone.
    [tip]Use the Screw Holes as the primary alignment guide. Once the 2x bosses are seated in the 2x Screw Holes, the rest of the Shim will naturally fall into place.[/tip]


  3. Press down firmly across the entire Shim surface to bond the adhesive to the installation area.

    [caution]Avoid touching the adhesive side of the Shim. Finger oils reduce adhesion strength.[/caution]

  4. Install 2x Silver Flat Head Screws using the T6 Screwdriver.

    Torque: Flush with shim surface. Do not over-tighten.

    [caution]Do not over-torque. Over-tightening can warp the Shim. If warping or bending is observed, loosen the Screws and reseat the Shim before retightening. Slightly under-torquing is acceptable.[/caution]
    Over-Tightened Fasteners

Final Inspection

  1. Verify the following:
    • The Shim is correctly oriented to the contour of the Drone.
    • 2x Shim bosses are properly aligned to 2x Drone Screw Holes.
    • The Shim is fully flush across the installation surface.
    • The Shim adhesive is evenly seated with no lifting at the edges.
    • The Screw heads are flush with the Shim surface.

    [note]If 2x Screws are over-tightened, causing the Shim to bend or lift at the corners, slightly loosen 2x Screws.[/note]

    Examples of incorrect Shim installation:

    Incorrect Shim Orientation

  2. Install the Drone Battery to the Drone.
    [note]Battery removal may feel slightly more snug than before and may require a bit more force. This is expected due to the added Shim thickness.[/note]

    Result: Once the Shim is flush, fully adhered, the Screws are flush, and the Battery fits properly, the Battery Shim installation is complete. The X10 can be returned to normal fleet operations.

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