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Plug-in Hybrids - READ ONLY

330 messages,  Last post on Nov 13, 2008 at 12:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Civic, Hybrid Cars


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#301 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [michael2003] by gagrice
Jun 26, 2008 (4:54 am)

Replying to: michael2003 (Jun 26, 2008 3:00 am)

It could very well be the charging device or control unit that overheated the battery causing the fire. I would think that a thermal shutoff would be an essential part of any battery charging device.
 
If Chevy uses the same brand of battery used in this fire for their new Volt it will be interesting to see how they plan to prevent fires caused by overcharging.
#302 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [gagrice] by stevedebi
Jun 26, 2008 (11:01 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 26, 2008 4:54 am)

"It could very well be the charging device or control unit that overheated the battery causing the fire. I would think that a thermal shutoff would be an essential part of any battery charging device. "
 
Two points:
 
1. The charger needs to have a sensor that stops charging when the batteries are full. Note this is much easier to implement than a heat sensing system. The $6 aftermarket charger for my cell phone (li-ion) senses the full charge, so it is hard for me to believe that a custom charger for a plug-in car would not also account for a full charge and stop supplying power. To me this means that the batteries overheated while being charged (NOT after being charged), leading to the second point.
 
2. Customers are going to complain if their batteries are not fully charged when they ran their charger all night, but it cut off due to heat in the batteries.
 
The issue remains the same - do the Li-Ion batteries heat up more than NiMH batteries as they charge, and if so can the problem be fixed?
#303 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [stevedebi] by tpe
Jun 26, 2008 (12:29 pm)

Replying to: stevedebi (Jun 26, 2008 11:01 am)

In the case of the Chevy Volt it is only supposed to charge to 80% capacity so I don't think overcharging would be an issue. Also different Li-ion chemistries exhibit different characteristics when it comes to the heat they put off. The A123 System battery in question is supposed to not have the thermal runaway problems of the cobalt based Li-ion batteries found in laptops and cell phones. I'd be curious to find out more information about the A123 battery pack that caught fire.
#304 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [tpe] by gagrice
Jun 26, 2008 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: tpe (Jun 26, 2008 12:29 pm)

I was thinking this occurred while being charged. It was in fact while being driven.
 
On June 7, 2008, the converted Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) owned by Central Electric Power Cooperative in Columbia, SC, was destroyed by an internal fire that occurred during a routine drive. Thankfully, there were no injuries. But the converted Prius was destroyed. The cause of the fire is not known.
 
Full story:
link title
This raises the question if the charging device is part of the original Prius or aftermarket. Of course Toyota can not be held responsible for changes to the original Prius. I am sure Toyota is not thrilled having their baby kluged up and displayed all charred from a fire.
#305 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [gagrice] by texases
Jun 26, 2008 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 26, 2008 4:11 pm)

"On June 7, 2008, the converted Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) owned by Central Electric Power Cooperative in Columbia, SC, was destroyed by an internal fire that occurred during a routine drive"
 
I would never get an aftermarket phev setup. These systems are so complex, and the components so unproven, that I want Toyota's or GM's neck on the line (along with mine).
#306 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [gagrice] by tpe
Jun 27, 2008 (6:57 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 26, 2008 4:11 pm)

I didn't see any mention of A123 Systems in that article. The article also stated that the Li-ion batteries were intact. So it wasn't a thermal runaway issue. I'm guessing it was an electrical fire similar to what might occur in a home with shoddy wiring. While this is definitely something to be concerned about I don't think this is the type of fire that will be explosive in nature where the passengers will have no time to escape. I do agree that it's pretty bad PR for EVs and PHEVs.
#307 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [tpe] by gagrice
Jun 27, 2008 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: tpe (Jun 27, 2008 6:57 am)

Here is the mention of A123. Part of the original post by Larsb.
 
Boulder, Colo.-based Hybrids Plus has advised all of its conversion owners to stop driving the vehicles until further information is available. According to the press release, forensic examinations have not been able to conclusively identify the cause of the fire, but established that the battery cells – which, according to plug-in advocacy group CalCars.org came from A123Systems – were not the reason.
 
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/plug-in-hybrid-catches-fire-1032.html
 
PS
I tried to find info from the owner of the Prius just what kind of mileage they were getting. They did not mention it on their website. They have a total of 7 of these hybrid conversions from Hybrids Plus in Colorado.
#308 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [gagrice] by igh
Jul 01, 2008 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 27, 2008 12:35 pm)

Here is a mileage log for a PHEV Prius from Greenhybrid.
I think it is an honest log. As you can see mpg varies from
171 to 74. The former is for exclusively short trip city driving
under 40 mph where the battery range sufficed for most
days. The later is for mostly highway driving at
60-65 mph. This is as expected. Most people will get
in the 90-100 mpg range.
 
http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/5291.html
#309 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [igh] by tpe
Jul 02, 2008 (5:15 am)

Replying to: igh (Jul 01, 2008 7:29 pm)

That's a little misleading because they don't take into account the electricity that was used to charge the battery pack. Theoretically one of these PHEV owners could make nothing but short trips, never use any gas, and claim infinite mileage. I'm pretty sure the EPA will assign some value to how many kWh of electricity the average driver will use when they determine the mpg rating of PHEVs.
#310 of 330
Re: PHEV fire [igh] by gagrice
Jul 02, 2008 (5:21 am)

Replying to: igh (Jul 01, 2008 7:29 pm)

The package that BluePHEV has installed in his 2007 Prius is the PHEV-40. I would imagine that cost him close to $40,000 installed. So he now has a $70k Prius that has to handle like a pig with all that additional weight. He has no Toyota warranty and may save a few $1000 over the life of the vehicle. Strictly for the wealthy techno-geek with money to burn. I can think of a lot of vehicles I would rather have for $70k.

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