"Professor95"
Can't double post - so for those who recall the many informative posts (and longest running thread) on this forum by "The Prof" - see "Trailer Fire" in the 5th wheel forum. Got out OK - - but can'...
Forum Discussion
Here is what he said on another forum.
" Detail? No - all I can provide is conjecture based on some knowledge I have and research.
My golf cart was powered by two 48 volt Li-Ion batteries bought on eBay. They were single units, not a full pack, from a wrecked 2013 Chevy Volt.
The golf cart was parked under the front pin box area to keep it free of the heavy wet dew we have been having.
The GC was not on a charger and the battery switch was turned off. I had charged it to 48.8 volts the previous day with a charger I had built that had both current and voltage limiting circuitry. It's peak DC output was 50 volts as controlled by an auto transformer, charging current was limited to 15 amps. There was also a timer that limited the charging time to a preset period. The temperature cut off circuit was built but not installed. I had previously charged the batteries many times and know the circuitry in the charger was rock solid and accurate. I also know my wiring was overkill and done to a level of perfection. I had driven the cart at about 6:30 pm and all seemed fine.
Yet, the cart caught fire around 3:30 a.m. Fire may not be the best word as it apparently exploded.
Knowing what and how everything was done and it was right I am inclined to believe there was a defect lurking within one of the batteries. They were from a wrecked car, meaning they were exposed to extreme shock. I just never stopped to think about that aspect. The problem is these batteries can overheat and catch fire or explode if there is an internal rupture between opposing polarity cells. The separation is paper thin. A small pinhole can go for months before a charging cycle, discharge or another shock causes a full rupture. If that happens everything goes boom.
Please keep in mind I do not know this to be factual - it is my conjecture as to how the battery or batteries overheated and exploded. There could have been other causes.
What is of the greatest significance to come out of this entire ordeal is how fast a fire can consume one of our fiver's. It is literally seconds, not minutes before all breathable oxygen is gone and the atmosphere is filled with toxic and extremely corrosive material from burning plastics. I now know a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher will be of little value unless you are awake and looking at the start of the fire. I repeat, due to the size of our trailers and the typical arrangement of a single escape window from the bedroom if the staircase and exit is blocked by fire requires a doable and practiced plan. A fire can start most anywhere from anything -from dryer lint, a faulty refrigerator, electrical appliances, propane stoves - you name it. If we are in bed asleep safe escape without injury may not be possible. It is enough to scare the bee-gees out of you! "
" Detail? No - all I can provide is conjecture based on some knowledge I have and research.
My golf cart was powered by two 48 volt Li-Ion batteries bought on eBay. They were single units, not a full pack, from a wrecked 2013 Chevy Volt.
The golf cart was parked under the front pin box area to keep it free of the heavy wet dew we have been having.
The GC was not on a charger and the battery switch was turned off. I had charged it to 48.8 volts the previous day with a charger I had built that had both current and voltage limiting circuitry. It's peak DC output was 50 volts as controlled by an auto transformer, charging current was limited to 15 amps. There was also a timer that limited the charging time to a preset period. The temperature cut off circuit was built but not installed. I had previously charged the batteries many times and know the circuitry in the charger was rock solid and accurate. I also know my wiring was overkill and done to a level of perfection. I had driven the cart at about 6:30 pm and all seemed fine.
Yet, the cart caught fire around 3:30 a.m. Fire may not be the best word as it apparently exploded.
Knowing what and how everything was done and it was right I am inclined to believe there was a defect lurking within one of the batteries. They were from a wrecked car, meaning they were exposed to extreme shock. I just never stopped to think about that aspect. The problem is these batteries can overheat and catch fire or explode if there is an internal rupture between opposing polarity cells. The separation is paper thin. A small pinhole can go for months before a charging cycle, discharge or another shock causes a full rupture. If that happens everything goes boom.
Please keep in mind I do not know this to be factual - it is my conjecture as to how the battery or batteries overheated and exploded. There could have been other causes.
What is of the greatest significance to come out of this entire ordeal is how fast a fire can consume one of our fiver's. It is literally seconds, not minutes before all breathable oxygen is gone and the atmosphere is filled with toxic and extremely corrosive material from burning plastics. I now know a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher will be of little value unless you are awake and looking at the start of the fire. I repeat, due to the size of our trailers and the typical arrangement of a single escape window from the bedroom if the staircase and exit is blocked by fire requires a doable and practiced plan. A fire can start most anywhere from anything -from dryer lint, a faulty refrigerator, electrical appliances, propane stoves - you name it. If we are in bed asleep safe escape without injury may not be possible. It is enough to scare the bee-gees out of you! "