Tony Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 First report I've seen of this happening. Full story> http://gas2.org/2016/01/01/tesla-model-s-bursts-into-flames-while-charging/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phipck Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Cant see any other uses of the image to suggest it is anything other than a genuine report at this stage, will be interested to find out what the full story turns out to be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 Agreed nothing is immune to a fault but one would assume there's plenty of redundancies regarding the charging so something has gone very wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 3, 2016 Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 It seems consistant with the rest of the industry http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1308061/Ferrari-recalls-cursed-supercar-FIVE-458-Italias-burst-flames.html http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/14/lamborghini-recalls-1500-gallardos-for-fire-hazard/?_r=0 http://www.itv.com/news/2015-11-19/vauxhall-zafira-concerns-deepen-as-fire-call-out-figures-revealed/ http://www.automotive-fleet.com/news/story/2015/10/nissan-expands-2016-maxima-recall.aspx http://www.wheels.ca/news/bmw-recalls-32000-vehicles-over-engine-fire-risk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 Anything combustible is subject to a fire risk... What might be concerning here is if it is due to a fault in the charging and if so is it the connection or something along the lines that a charge will heat the battery up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 3, 2016 Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 Charging usually heats batteries up I suspect the cause will be unclear in this case and will need a few more incidents to get a good idea as to whether its an isolated issue or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 I should think Tesla would be keen to know themselves but as you say info is to sketchy to judge any build issues..... My only real concern if it is a build issue is it's so terminal ( excuse the pun ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phipck Posted January 3, 2016 Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 The location is very cold and clearly wet, which may have some contributing factor to the situation, wet charge plug would arc surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 School boy error if that's the case by Tesla, although saying that ice is a powerful invader..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 School boy error ? Its one case Tony , its not like the Zafira, or any of those other manufacturers I listed before, lets have a little balance here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 It's my way of saying i fail to believe Tesla would make such an error in the most critical part of the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 May not be relevant but the Lithium batteriies I use in some of my model aircraft need to be charged with care, and manufacturers clearly state that batteries should be charged either in a fireproof bag or away from any combustable material (I charge mine in a large biscuit tin on ceramic tiles). Also states that in no circumstances should you leave the batteries unattended while they are on charge. I've seen some horrendous video footage of Lithium battery fires and a member of our local model club had a lithium battery fire after he left it charging in his workshop while he made a cup of coffee in the kitchen. He had taken precautions so it didn't actually ignite anything else, but the smoke damage blackened the workshop and totalled a few things, including his motorcycle leathers. So can only conclude that Lithium batteries are high risk on charge or discharge cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 They burn very well , you see it with mobile phones as well all the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Tango since this is a known factor wouldn't you expect Tesla to have controlled to heat cycle?...... From what i hear and read their batteries are state of the art Lithium construction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Tango since this is a known factor wouldn't you expect Tesla to have controlled to heat cycle?...... From what i hear and read their batteries are state of the art Lithium construction? It's not that simple though. Could be a faulty charger or whatever, similar to phones that have caught fire in the past. Needs investigation before we draw any conclusions - better it happen out there in the open than in someone's garage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Could've been arson by a frustrated oil worker Once they are alight though they will certainly burn well so a minor fire could become a big one but rather electric than lpg any day I do wonder if the trick door handles would be a great idea in an accident or fire since they sit flat once the car is on , or when the car is parked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 I do wonder if the trick door handles would be a great idea in an accident or fire since they sit flat once the car is on , or when the car is parked Good question, I know that if an airbag is activated it unlocks the doors and extends the handles but what if that doesn't work? The front doors have a mechanical linkage (you just have to pull the handle harder) but not sure if you can do this if the handles don't extend at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffers Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 We still don't know what caused it. Those superchargers pump a massive amount of current in so any of the protection circuits could have failed. I read there are 8 standard Tesla chargers internally to make up one of their superchargers. It's always going to be a problem with a containment of such a large amount of energy. I still believe solid to be better than liquid or gas, but once the dielectric has broken down the release of energy is tremendous. No different to a liquid/gas fuel explosion really. There will be a time when there's no power to open the doors but apparently a small plastic card slotted in is enough to protrude them to get a hand in to pull fully so make sure you ask any first responder for their credit/debit card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Truth is if this is a fault it's unlikely Tesla will confess to it so we will remain in the dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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