Unless something penetrated the frunk and caused a 440V short (is that possible? Would that start a fire?) ...but they have systems to detect problems and battery disconnect too ... Pyrotechnic High Voltage Battery Disconnect - Patent application
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Model S Accident/Fire
- Thread starter joshuaeven
- Start date
Unless something penetrated the frunk and caused a 440V short (is that possible? Would that start a fire?) ...but they have systems to detect problems and battery disconnect too ... Pyrotechnic High Voltage Battery Disconnect - Patent application
GasDoc
Member
Here are pics of the inner workings of the frunk and an isolated battery pack.
The battery pack can be seen in the frunk picture aft of the orange cables that go to the AC unit.
The most forward portion of the battery pack showing the word "TESLA" is the hump furthest away from the camera in the battery pack picture.
And here is a picture showing that the hump is, indeed, the more forward portion of the pack.
The battery pack can be seen in the frunk picture aft of the orange cables that go to the AC unit.
The most forward portion of the battery pack showing the word "TESLA" is the hump furthest away from the camera in the battery pack picture.
And here is a picture showing that the hump is, indeed, the more forward portion of the pack.
Model S catches FIRE !
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motora...odel-sparks-expected-questions-202305776.html
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motora...odel-sparks-expected-questions-202305776.html
If the battery disconnected, how would he have driven off the highway? Just from the momentum?
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
Can you please point to the evidence of this? Doesn't seem like there is.
I'd like to point out that there are many types of coolant/antifreeze that is flammable and the coolant reservoirs are all up front where the fire happened. Seems no one has mentioned this.
And any sort of short (low voltage 12V) can easily cause a fire. We've seen that happen with many vehicles. And as mentioned, the plastic, carpet, and wiring in the frunk serves as fuel too.
Found a copy of the Kent Fire Authority report on
Tesla Model S Driver Hits Object On HOV Lane Near Kent, Washington, Car Smokes, Catches Fire; Is Lithium Battery Dangerous? [VIDEO]
It is a little unclear but seems to me to suggest that it is the conventional small 12V battery that was at fault, even though they make reference to the "battery pack". Interesting read, but no reason to short the stock.
Tesla Model S Driver Hits Object On HOV Lane Near Kent, Washington, Car Smokes, Catches Fire; Is Lithium Battery Dangerous? [VIDEO]
It is a little unclear but seems to me to suggest that it is the conventional small 12V battery that was at fault, even though they make reference to the "battery pack". Interesting read, but no reason to short the stock.
GasDoc
Member
The system that disconnects the main battery from the 12v system is the "pyro fuse". This fuse blows when the airbags deploy. No evidence of an airbag deployment that I can see. He may have still had drivetrain power to get off the freeway after the car's systems told him to pull over.
Ownership of a car is irrelevant. 60 vs. P85+ is irrelevant. Though I would wager interested non-owners are probably more objective than owners honeymooning over their car.
I've posted a mix of positive and negative messages, including questions to learn more about the issues. I like being a critical, informed consumer. I like Tesla, taking the bad with the good, and I hope they succeed in making everyone want their EVs. I don't see the point in playing ostrich as issues present themselves. Some might find gratification cheerleading the car, I don't. (Nor do I relish pointing out the imperfections)
We know why ICE cars have fires. We don't know why Model S's have fires, which is why this thread is 2 dozen pages already, and why it's so interesting.
bareyb
Active Member
So then why do you keep insisting that the Battery Pack spontaneously combusted? You sure sound like a naysayer to me... It's like you are enjoying rubbing our faces in this. I call that trolling. You can act like you are impartial but your responses and tone in this thread (and most of your other posts) say otherwise. You aren't fooling anyone.
ETA: Anyone who is wondering where this guy is coming from, check out what MOST of his 80 posts are about. He's in almost every single thread where any type of problem exists with the MS and he is delightfully fanning the flames. He's a hater. So take anything he says with a huge grain of salt...
My impression is that the "new car" comment was the driver (and hadn't mentally converted..."new car I remember reading about" to "Tesla" yet), and the Tesla comment was the passenger (beating the driver to the punch in remembering which new car this actually was).
NigelM
Recovering Member
Here's what triangulates me to that conclusion:
1. Tesla's statement about the battery pack architecture protecting the car.
2. Wall St. sources saying they confirmed w/ the company it was the battery (let's see if any are gutsy enough to publish tomorrow!!)
3. Tesla's lack of stating the pack was NOT involved in the fire.
4. The fire department had trouble putting out the fire and it kept re-igniting.
5. Watching the video, the flames seem to come from the wheel wells, on both sides. consistent with the apparent venting structure of the pack.
An obvious competing theory doesn't even present itself. We can rule out collision with another car. We can rule out stuff in the frunk. I'm open to other possibilities, but what's left other than the infinite number of unobvious unknowns?
Newscutter
Member
From AP Wires (also on Seattle Times website):
"In documents obtained by The Associated Press under Washington state public records law, firefighters describe their struggle to extinguish the flames burning a Model S car near Seattle on Tuesday.
Firefighters say in an incident narrative that the car fire appeared to be extinguished but then reignited, leading them to dismantle the front end of the vehicle. They used a jack to lift the vehicle and a circular saw to gain access to the burning battery pack."
"In documents obtained by The Associated Press under Washington state public records law, firefighters describe their struggle to extinguish the flames burning a Model S car near Seattle on Tuesday.
Firefighters say in an incident narrative that the car fire appeared to be extinguished but then reignited, leading them to dismantle the front end of the vehicle. They used a jack to lift the vehicle and a circular saw to gain access to the burning battery pack."
What about in the case that the 12V is damaged, would the main battery still feed power to it?
Newscutter
Member
I already posted the AP update on the other thread-- but basically the firefighter incident report suggests the fire DID involve the battery pack somehow.
If a short in the battery pack was the cause of the fire,
1) it would unlikely be able to supply enough power to get off the highway, and
2) It would have taken longer to put out,
3) The fire department would have put out a press release simply on that,
4) there would be heat and possible distortions from under the car where the object would have hit it.
5) the car safety system would have been more specific in its warning
6) Driver would have probably heard the loud thump heard by owners who experience the dead 12v battery issue as the system would have triggered that.
7) the whole incident would likely have been more catastrophic.
Just my 2cents.
1) it would unlikely be able to supply enough power to get off the highway, and
2) It would have taken longer to put out,
3) The fire department would have put out a press release simply on that,
4) there would be heat and possible distortions from under the car where the object would have hit it.
5) the car safety system would have been more specific in its warning
6) Driver would have probably heard the loud thump heard by owners who experience the dead 12v battery issue as the system would have triggered that.
7) the whole incident would likely have been more catastrophic.
Just my 2cents.
NigelM
Recovering Member
Found a copy of the Kent Fire Authority report on
Tesla Model S Driver Hits Object On HOV Lane Near Kent, Washington, Car Smokes, Catches Fire; Is Lithium Battery Dangerous? [VIDEO]
It is a little unclear but seems to me to suggest that it is the conventional small 12V battery that was at fault, even though they make reference to the "battery pack". Interesting read, but no reason to short the stock.
Good find. Whatever started the fire, this reads like the firefighters were dealing with a burning 12v which is not a surprise.
