Model S Accident/Fire

[yobigd20]

but in any case it least its not like a Jeep that gets rear-ended and blows up killing all the passengers. IF it was in fact the battery pack, it was contained and vented out the front which is again DAMN GOOD ENGINEERING.

 

[lorih]

Running over something large and metallic that rips up the underside of the pack could cause a fire for sure. The best containment systems will fail for a large enough breach.

I think this is good news. All previous Li-ion battery fires are caused by a single cell failure, which overheats, and causes a chain reaction to other cells. Elon talked about this specifically with 787 Dreamliner fires. He explained then that Tesla design uses smaller cells that are thermally isolated to prevent chain reaction fire. Other companies with the other design say that a single cell won't fail, Elon has said, "it isn't a matter of if, but when, so the cells need to be thermally isolated".

I think the fact that the fire remained contained (regardless of what started it) did not spread to the back of the battery pack is a sign that his designed worked as it should. As a scientist, I'm happy to see some evidence here.

:biggrin:

 

[Smitty769]

There are a lot of other components in the front of the car that could have caught fire with the right impact and damage. Seems a bit premature to call it a battery pack fire off the bat. If the pack were engulfed I think you'd see more of the car on fire, not just the front, especially since the main pack doesn't extend into the frunk area...

 

[Adm]

Subsequently, a fire caused by the substantial damage sustained during the collision was contained to the front of the vehicle thanks to the design and construction of the vehicle and battery pack. All indications are that the fire never entered the interior cabin of the car. It was extinguished on-site by the fire department.”
[/INDENT]

I think we can rule out a main battery fire... Read people, read.

 

[RobotGrease]

I think we can rule out a main battery fire... Read people, read.

+ 1million....

Geez people, enough trying to be internet heroes

 

[lorih]

I think we can rule out a main battery fire... Read people, read.

That was my point. My takeaway is that even if your car is in flames due to a flame shooter, the battery pack won't catch fire and cause entire pack to burn or explode. (ok, exaggerating for a point, but the images show a pretty roaring fire!)

I take that as EXCELLENT engineering!

 

[vfx]

A while ago someone post pictures of their frunk area with all the carpet and shell removed. I looked around but could not find it.

 

[NuclearPowered]

What contains enough energy in the front of the car that when hit, would ignite a fire like that?

I agree with CapOp.

 

[c041v]

My takeaway is that even if your car is in flames due to a flame shooter,

Which, according to Elon is the threshold for voiding the warranty :tongue:

 

[CapitalistOppressor]

I'm genuinely curious why you consider it to be a pack fire? The battery coolant is not flammable IIRC and the pack is designed not to cascade if one battery should catch fire.

The pack is not designed to have a large metallic object rip through it either. I agree, more than one cell would have needed to combust to cause a cascade.

That said, if this was not a battery fire, then the Tesla statement was PR malpractice. They must know that a battery fire is the primary concern, and if this was not a battery fire they should have specifically denied it.

Given that we have a cause (metallic debris) and a plausible effect (a cascading failure from a pack that was ripped open), I'll take that and run with my speculation in the absence of a statement by Tesla otherwise.

 

[brianman]

I should take the advice of government officials who emphasize that we shouldn't immediately blame Al Qaeda for a terrorist attack.

We haven't used the word terrorist in like 5 years. Apparently it's like saying "hybrid" in some circles while pointing at a Volt, or a Fisker, or ...

 

[lorih]

additional comment: I was joking about flame thrower because Elon used those words in his discussion of the battery guarantee. He said unless you intentionally try to destroy it, like take a flame thrower to it, he guarantees the battery pack for full warranty.

:smile:

oops, some one beat me to this!

 

[brianman]

Generators are virtually a "must have" in the NW.

I guess I must be the exception. I've never had one.

 

[texex91]

IT could have been hit by a flying saucer--who knows. We can guess all day long.

Let's find out what the accident report says, before saying the world is ending.

 

[Smop]

A while ago someone post pictures of their frunk area with all the carpet and shell removed. I looked around but could not find it.

 

[EdA]

The car’s alert system signaled a problem

What else besides the battery is monitored for trouble?
Airbags, tire pressure...

 

[vfx]

Found it.

Of course the removed plastic tub and carpet would be the prime fuel.

 

[pfq1982]

Someone posted that Elon recently stated a Model S had never been involved in a fire. Anyone know where to find that quote?

 

[lorih]

a plausible effect (a cascading failure from a pack that was ripped open), I'll take that and run with my speculation in the absence of a statement by Tesla otherwise.

There is evidence AGAINST cascade failure. front of car was clearly in flames, and the fire remained contained. Why are you saying this?

 

[brianman]

Doesn't hurt anyone to theorycraft while we wait to hear the real story.

We have not-far-back historical evidence on TMC that this is not true.

- - - Updated - - -

At least we know that object wasn't an engine. :tongue:

Again, no we don't. Again, it might have been jettisoned by a truck or econobox right in front of the Tesla.