I think this is the spec sheet for the cells used:
http://www.s399157097.onlinehome.us/SpecSheets/LVP10-65.pdf
The specific energy is less than LiFePO4, so they were not very
bright in choosing these. They could have picked LiFePO4, avoided the
fires, and kept the battery boxes the same size.
The specs on the GS batteries:
http://www.s399157097.onlinehome.us/SpecSheets/LVP10-65.pdf
I was looking at the photos of the remains for the battery boxes.
There is no thermal management. I also saw no internal disconnect,
but I could be mistaken.
The metal oxide (cobalt, for example) release the oxygen once they
reach a critical internal temperature. Since they have flammable
electrolyte, they have everything they need internally to burn. Like
a rocket. I
LiFePO4 don't have available internal oxygen. They release flammable
electrolyte, and that is it. If you exclude oxygen, they don't burn.
Big difference. If LiFePO4 do catch fire, they burn more like a
couch, not a rocket.
It is not due to simply the energy contained, it is a whole different
kind for fire. You simply cannot put out a metal oxide cell, once it
has ignited.
Bill D.
All types of lithium batteries burn. The LiCo cells, because of
their higher voltage and higher stored energy, burn worse than LiFe
cells. But it's like comparing a box of matches to a box of
kindling. Once lit, they both burn dramatically.
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