Powerboost battery fire?

[gh8toes]

Following hurricane Helene, there were a number of house fires caused by EVs spontaneously combusting because their batteries were exposed to salt water during the storm surge. Is this something that could also happen to our F150 Power boost vehicles? How safe is a hybrid versus a full EV when it comes to battery fires? Am I driving a ticking time bomb and have to worry whenever I drive through a deep puddle?

Lithium-ion batteries are 'ticking time bombs'

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[Popplemer]

Hmm. I'm interested in seeing what the smart folks on here have to say about this.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Common sense says it’s possible. The water dead shorts the battery when submerged?

 

[Eskram]

I'd imagine there's a PB or two that's launched a boat in salt water. I haven't heard of any issues.

 

[Rinn69]

My $.02. A quick dip into saltwater isn't too bad, but being splashed or even submerged for hours or even days is a big difference. And since saltwater is waaaay more conductive than freshwater, it can't be good. And according to the link below, science says that saltwater is about 1,000,000 times more conductive....sounds crazy, but it's science.

https://socratic.org/questions/why-...a relatively,more conductive than fresh water.

 

[EricR]

No salt water here in Idaho!

???

 

[Gros Ventre]

Depends on how the venting is done. It has to be sealed as its under the frame and subject to splash & spray, but there has to be a venting system. Is the venting setup with a one way valve? To my knowledge there is no limit on submersion when boat launching... Even in salt water... Now, is it large enough to start & sustain a fire? Don't know. Also, submersion for an extended period is a different matter. I'd be interested in hearing reports on here. My inference is that the fires were started and sustained by a large propulsion battery.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Depends on how the venting is done. It has to be sealed as its under the frame and subject to splash & spray, but there has to be a venting system. Is the venting setup with a one way valve? To my knowledge there is no limit on submersion when boat launching... Even in salt water... Now, is it large enough to start & sustain a fire? Don't know. Also, submersion for an extended period is a different matter. I'd be interested in hearing reports on here. My inference is that the fires were started and sustained by a large propulsion battery.

It’s also dependent upon the electrical connections. Cracks and wear happen, nothing is perfect. A bad seal at the positive power lead is all it would take.

 

[gh8toes]

No salt water here in Idaho!

???

I got to thinking of my salt exposure here in Michigan, and then thought about all the salt that is dumped on our roads in the winter to melt the snow and ice. So even here in Michigan, it looks like my PB will be exposed to salt over time.

 

[Kanuck]

My $.02. A quick dip into saltwater isn't too bad, but being splashed or even submerged for hours or even days is a big difference. And since saltwater is waaaay more conductive than freshwater, it can't be good. And according to the link below, science says that saltwater is about 1,000,000 times more conductive....sounds crazy, but it's science.

https://socratic.org/questions/why-is-seawater-a-better-conductor-of-electricity-than-water-from-a-freshwater-l#:~:text=Sea water has a relatively,more conductive than fresh water.

It's not the water that conducts electricity, it's the minerals in the water that does.

 

[scott011422]

You have to remember that there is no such thing as waterproof in the IP system. Without knowing the IP rating of the batteries and associated connecters this is just a logic discussion. But, even IP ratings that allow for submersion have a time limit. And salt water changes those rations I believe.

I wouldn't expect any daily use to cause problems unless there was damage. Puddles, launching boats, even driving through very deep water I wouldn't expect a problem. These are all very short term drownings.

Drive through very deep water and get stuck? Wouldn't surprise me at all that something gets wet enough to have very bad things happen eventually.

 

[ReverendQ]

Double fool here. IMO, not maintaining a clean dryer vent is more at issue.

 

[HammaMan]

Gen 3s are LFP chemistry.
The better question is why are you installing electrical devices in a home where submersion is likely -- move them to higher ground (really goes for the home in general -- living in a floodplain is a question of when, not if)

Following hurricane Helene, there were a number of house fires caused by EVs spontaneously combusting because their batteries were exposed to salt water during the storm surge. Is this something that could also happen to our F150 Power boost vehicles? How safe is a hybrid versus a full EV when it comes to battery fires? Am I driving a ticking time bomb and have to worry whenever I drive through a deep puddle?

Brief exposure to water isn't an issue. Prolonged exposure is. The PB's batt is sitting under the cab and bed, if you've put it under water for prolonged amounts of time you're going to have bigger issues. The seals are rated for 1 meter at 30 minutes I believe, been a minute since I've seen the spec The PB's batt gets wet every time it's driven in the rain.

If you don't have flood insurance, a combusting EV in the garage post flood might be your friend.

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