Are lithium batteries dangerous? How one owner lost his motorhome
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- Опубликовано: 22 авг 2024
- A destroyed campervan. Every owner's nightmare. This week, Motorhome Matt and Keith delve into the safety of lithium batteries in motorhomes, sharing a firsthand account from a listener whose motorhome tragically caught fire due to a lithium battery fault. Matt discusses the crucial aspects of lithium battery installations, the dangers and best practices to avoid disaster.
Shifting gears, in the news we unpack the recent 20 mph speed limits in Wales providing insights into the potential impacts of lowered speed limits in certain areas and discussing how it might affect motorhome travel.
In the Q&A, Matt tackles your burning questions, ranging from solar panel charging concerns for Fiat Ducato start-stop systems to toilet bowl size adjustments and the legality of towing cars with A-frames in the Republic of Ireland.
Read KS Energy's full statement:
"Dear Matt,
We appreciate the opportunity to address the recent recall of a small batch of batteries manufactured by our company.
Our top priority has always been the safety and satisfaction of our customers. Once we became aware of the fault we immediately reported it to the OPSS (Office of Product Safety and Standards) and action was taken to identify and locate the affected batteries, and we are pleased to confirm that all recalled units have been successfully collected. Working closely with our customers, we have ensured that replacements or suitable alternatives were provided promptly, minimizing any inconvenience.
Our insurers have underwritten losses on Simon Fox’s motorhome and his premium should not be affected. It's important to note that all batteries currently in circulation are not affected by the recall, and customers can continue to use them with confidence. Our revised product, thoroughly tested and free from the potential fault found in the seat base version, is now available.
We remain committed to supplying high-quality products to motorhome owners and the leisure community. Our dedication to safety and value for money is unwavering, and we believe in providing a premium product for our customers' investments.
Thank you for allowing us to address this matter, and we assure our customers of our ongoing commitment to their satisfaction and safety.
Sincerely,
Stuart Allen and Richard Gleeson Directors, KS Energy" @ksenergy9079
Read the full transcript here:
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The electolyte in all "lithiumm" battieres, except Lifepo4, is flammable. The solids generate their own oxygen as they burn, so there is no smothering them.
Lifepo4 use a nonflammable water based elelectrolyte, making it possible to smother them and put out a fire. Big difference.
Thanks for your contribution and comment
So who are the leading manufacturers that are available in the UK for Lithium Batteries.
There are many. Victron are a major player. I would also commend KS Energy and Bluefix as installers. Plus the AWS network of service centres.
I had a car in Majorca in the past and since COVID, I noticed new speed limits of 30KPH from a 40KPH, so it is not just Wales, 30MPH to 20MPH in rural or built up areas. Some cruise controls will go down as low as 20MPH, so cruise control may will be an answer or speed set regulators. I do not agree with 20MPH or 30KPH speed limits myself. Someone some where is making a fortune on new speed limit signs.
It's the WEFfer way to oppress us, as they fly on private jets to snow bound Davos, to lecture us on plant food.
I’ve missed a trick then? Sign production!
Emissions are actually higher and accidents are rising due to drivers constantly checking Their speedometer
Ironic
Matt I had the pleasure of meeting you at the NEC show last year and I did mention that I was not happy to fit a Lithium battery due to the fire risk .And your reply to me was would I not fit Lithium due to this risk.
I would certainly not fit it myself!
Sorry to hear about Simons battery issue, certainly a strange fault as I know KS energy batteries are very high end in terms of their quality just very unlucky to receive the recall notice a few days too late. I would always advise getting LiFePO4 battery from a reputable company so there is support there if the worst should happen.
For the solar charging the vehicle battery on the new very latest Ducato there could potentially be an issue with overcharging the battery, some of the very latest vehicle batteries are only supposed to be charged to 80% this is to allow for the fact the vehicle may have A form of regenerative engine braking which is how they achieve lower emissions, basically it allows the battery the receive a high charge on deceleration which is why it has the 20% ceiling.
Great feedback. Interesting though that no installer I spoke to had this insight! I’ve left a message with a tech guy at FIAT. No response yet
just had my caravan insurance refused as i have a lithium battery fitted. insurance firms are moving away from lithium risks
That’s interesting to hear. May I ask which insurer?
No they most certainly are not, particularly as many new high end top Motorhome manufacturers are fitting Lithium as standard.
Sorry but that's nonsense, many new Moho's and Campervans are fitted with lithium as standard
How horrible! So lucky Simon and his dog weren't hurt
Yes indeed! What were the odds?! A lucky man
I've always regarded lithiums as a complete waste of money. Using Gels (or AGMs with a B2B) is perfectly Ok, even EFBs can work well, add a super-capacitor and they all run inverters up to 1000W, good for any 700W toaster, although wet/EFB can stratify, so need waking up if not used for a while.
They are certainly a huge investment. And I agree not necessary for many owners useage. Thanks for commenting
Hi could it be said the reason that it’s 20mph is because that some drivers can not cope at thirty and have accidents ?
That could be true? Some drivers don’t cope whatever the speed!
Li ion chemistry is very exothermic when in contact with air ie it burns. LiFeO4 batteries are far less exothermic ie they may give off a little smoke.
Unfortunately too many people think they are the same because they are pronounced similar ‘ lithium ion’ vs ‘lithium iron’.
Don’t know if trying to explain to insurance would work, probably not!
You are right. One sounds like a pirate! Maybe that would help?
Oh good. I just ordered a 280Ah LiFePo4 for my motorhome.
Are you enjoying the new battery setup? What did it all cost and what are the main benefits? Thanks
LiFePo4 are very safe
Hey Matt . Rick here , convict from Aus . Sent an email a month ago now and have not heard back . Appreciate you may still be recovering but do you respond to Australian's
I always try and respond wherever someone is based! Can you resend the email please?
DPF won't like too much 20mph!
Yes true same for the egr valve too
What an awful thing to happen to Simon, and thank goodness neither himself or his dog or anyone else was injured. Thankfully, this is not a general lithium battery issue it’s a specific manufacturer component or design issue and thankfully it looks like they have now addressed the issue. As you say most issues are generally with how people install it.
The Wales speed limit sounds very confusing and so much negative press on it - the principals sound but executing seems poor - confusion leads to issues. Puts you off going (maybe that was the plan 😀)
Interesting topics and interview.
All the best, David 👍
Thank you David. Great points. I think I would still go to Wales. At 20mph more time to enjoy the scenery…?
Interesting subject on lithium batteries. Many seems oblivious to risks, especially with cheaper products (Like electric bikes), yet life is all about the money, either making or saving. Any lithium product, if life style requires it, then it is worth investing in quality and professional fixing, as it will save lives. Yet many will not, as money is more important than life!!
A little fun, how can, 'get on-line, buy = save money' ??? How about, 'don't buy = save money', as it's unlikely to be life saving critical product(s), let alone essential. Should come with a 'Truth' statement, 'this is a sales ploy' & shop around, too confirm what the market value, is, of the product you are looking at, especially measured against other businesses, selling the same product. This would be the 'advice' from the money saving expert, surely, if viewing this plug!
Lots of disinformation on this channel, these 2 guys are not too bright,
I'm interested to hear what makes you say that?
EV MG..you couldn’t make it up. Not sure a vehicle doing 20 mph in 3rd gear riding the clutch would be more eco than one settled at 30/40 mph?
Glad you saw the irony!
If i wanted to be a ____, I'd let multistorey carparks have e-vehicles park inside, particularly at the basement
Do you want me to fill in the blank? I’ll need more underscores please 🙏
I would say just bad accident (especially since KS had a recall) and thank god no one was hurt. If you buy the right batteries and know what you are doing or get a professional to install them you should have no issues. Electric cars mainly use lithium and yes you will hear of the odd fire here and there but conventional as a much higher statistic to set a light. I think the question is how difficult lithium is to put out and travelling or on a site are you or the site equipped to stop it!
EV fires are terrible, extremely toxic smoke, water course pollution and can burn for a week - not comparable to other fires.
That Range Rover hybrid took out a whole airport carpark remember, we could all see the deep red flamethrower from the pack.
It’s been fact checked as a diesel I think
Thanks for commenting
@@MotorhomeMatt 'fact checked' - you mean someone disagrees, LOL Fact Checking is pure 100% propaganda. Sure, sometime they are right, but in general the truth is the opposite. You need to appreciate the massive political pressure to say it was a diesel, and then look at the red flame shooting out of the side - typical of a lithium fire.
LifePo4 is safer and better than Lion batteries
Thanks for commenting