Lithium Fire Citrus Grove

[DrMack]

Be careful if you have an electric cart with the new lithium batteries. Don’t leave it plugged in overnight under any circumstances! Yesterday we had fire engines galore up and down Barley Path because of a cart’s batteries catching fire. Electric carts are very dangerous. Be cautious with your new toys, all the bugs are far from worked out.

[djlnc]

It would be interesting to know what brand and year the cart was. Might even have been a DIY job, which is scary.

[Two Bills]

Here we go again!

[Normal]

Are the residents and responders all OK? How bad is the garage, house?

[Bill14564]

Will wait to see information from the fire department.

Still have not had my house burn down while leaving my lithium cart plugged in more than 400 out of the last 456 nights.

[Two Bills]

Will wait to see information from the fire department.

Still have not had my house burn down while leaving my lithium cart plugged in more than 400 out of the last 456 nights.

Neither have my lithium powered torch, computer, or cell phone self combusted over many years.
I had an old petrol lawn mower burst into flames once however, that's when I learned that filling the tank with engine running was a not the best way of time saving time!

[Bill14564]

Neither have my lithium powered torch, computer, or cell phone self combusted over many years.
I had an old petrol lawn mower burst into flames once however, that's when I learned that filling the tank with engine running was a not the best way of time saving time!

Ouch! I've been tempted to do that so many times

[Bay Kid]

The salesman at Sumter Landing says the batteries are better???

[kansasr]

Is your Dr a PHD in Mechanical enginerering?

[MightyDog]

Some info. Why do lithium-ion batteries spontaneously combust – Maxworld Power (https://www.maxworldpower.com/why-do-lithium-ion-batteries-spontaneously-combust/)

[Bill14564]

Some info. Why do lithium-ion batteries spontaneously combust – Maxworld Power (https://www.maxworldpower.com/why-do-lithium-ion-batteries-spontaneously-combust/)

Another question is where and when? There doesn’t seem to have been any incidents of spontaneous combustion of lithium batteries here in the recent past.

[John Mayes]

Be careful if you have an electric cart with the new lithium batteries. Don’t leave it plugged in overnight under any circumstances! Yesterday we had fire engines galore up and down Barley Path because of a cart’s batteries catching fire. Electric carts are very dangerous. Be cautious with your new toys, all the bugs are far from worked out.

This was the picture of the incident on one of the FB group pages.

Sorry…..I removed pic because it showed the license plate number of the vehicle parked in the driveway.

[John Mayes]

This was the picture of the incident on one of the FB group pages.

Sorry…..I removed pic because it showed the license plate number of the vehicle parked in the driveway.

I blacked out the license plate and house number.

[Normal]

I blacked out the license plate and house number.

E Z Go, Samsung lithiums for cart batteries. Interesting though, is that a 2023? Sad to see the family car got it along with the house too. Hope insurance covers all. Wish them the best.

[Bill14564]

E Z Go, Samsung lithiums for cart batteries. Interesting though, is that a 2023? Sad to see the family car got it along with the house too. Hope insurance covers all. Wish them the best.

Taillights and fender flare make it look like an Evolution cart.

[Altavia]

I blacked out the license plate and house number.

Don't see much evidence of a lithium battery fire in that photo? No body damage. Even the side screens appear intact.on't Lithium batteries burn until they burn out?

[dhdallas]

Who starts these rumors? I leave my cart plugged in always. I also leave my electric bikes, cell phones, drill, circular saw, sander, and polisher, all of which are lithium powered plugged in 24/7 when not using them. Gas carts are much more likely to catch fire than an electric cart. I'm not even sure if the lithium fire story is true at all. There has been ZERO news stories on any fires in TV.

[Topspinmo]

Will wait to see information from the fire department.

Still have not had my house burn down while leaving my lithium cart plugged in more than 400 out of the last 456 nights.

Yet?

[Topspinmo]

[QUOTE=dhdallas;2317800]Who starts these rumors? I leave my cart plugged in always. I also leave my electric bikes, cell phones, drill, circular saw, sander, and polisher, all of which are lithium powered plugged in 24/7 when not using them. Gas carts are much more likely to catch fire than an electric cart. I'm not even sure if the lithium fire story is true at all. There has been ZERO news stories on any fires in TV.[/QUOTE

I see you like to Gambler :D

[Kelevision]

I have an ez go lithium cart with no issues. I also have 2 e-bikes with no issues. You can’t over charge them. If someone leaves them plugged in constantly, I could see how a fire might start. Like with everything, you need to do your research.

[Robojo]

Who starts these rumors? I leave my cart plugged in always. I also leave my electric bikes, cell phones, drill, circular saw, sander, and polisher, all of which are lithium powered plugged in 24/7 when not using them. Gas carts are much more likely to catch fire than an electric cart. I'm not even sure if the lithium fire story is true at all. There has been ZERO news stories on any fires in TV.

While I heard all the sirens I never saw any smoke.

[MDFlyer]

Be careful if you have an electric cart with the new lithium batteries. Don’t leave it plugged in overnight under any circumstances! Yesterday we had fire engines galore up and down Barley Path because of a cart’s batteries catching fire. Electric carts are very dangerous. Be cautious with your new toys, all the bugs are far from worked out.


I converted my GEM car over to lithium batteries several years ago and have been very happy with the setup. I tripled the miles I was getting per charge and no stinking fumes to smell. If there is a problem with leaving it plugged in it is in how the charge system is setup and not the batteries. When they are finished charging the charger should shut off completely.

[rsmurano]

Remember the Android phone fires / restrictions a few years ago? You couldn’t take certain Android phones on a plane because they could ignite?

The Most Surprising Cell Phone Fire Statistics And Trends in 2024 • Gitnux (https://gitnux.org/cell-phone-fire-statistics/)

Solving the challenge of EV fires (https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/solving-the-challenge-of-ev-fires/40017/#:~:text=The%20common%20causes%20of%20electric,phy sical%20damage%20to%20the%20battery).

[crash]

I have an ez go lithium cart with no issues. I also have 2 e-bikes with no issues. You can’t over charge them. If someone leaves them plugged in constantly, I could see how a fire might start. Like with everything, you need to do your research.

The chargers are smart chargers and stop charging when the batteries are fully charged and slow down to a trickle down at 80% full.

[waterflower]

Also, they can ignite while in operation. Example, transit bus fire in Connecticut approximately 2 years ago while on duty. Be careful.

[Bealman]

Don't leave your Onedays and Kia in the garage either, because millions of them can burst into flames.....oh wait, they are gas and it is a brake leak problem. But they are gas driven. No gas vehicles in the garage because they create fires too.....😜

Recall: Millions of Kia, Hyundai Vehicles for Fire Risk | NHTSA (https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/consumer-alert-kia-and-hyundai-park-outside)

[Topspinmo]

Don't see much evidence of a lithium battery fire in that photo? No body damage. Even the side screens appear intact.on't Lithium batteries burn until they burn out?

Maybe that’s not the cart?

[Topspinmo]

Don't leave your Onedays and Kia in the garage either, because millions of them can burst into flames.....oh wait, they are gas and it is a brake leak problem. But they are gas driven. No gas vehicles in the garage because they create fires too.....😜

Recall: Millions of Kia, Hyundai Vehicles for Fire Risk | NHTSA (https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/consumer-alert-kia-and-hyundai-park-outside)


Yes, but that’s maintenance malpractice problem from factory.

[BlackHarley]

I shouldn't sleep in the house either. Spontaneous human combustion!

[DrMack]

It’s just advice. I have advised several throughout my career not to smoke also. Some developed cancer, others died of old age or other causes. When lithium batteries become safer, this shouldn’t be a problem. Of course the future may not even have lithium in the picture.

[UpNorth]

I blacked out the license plate and house number.

I've seen plenty of photos of gas cart fires in The Villages that look a heck of a lot worse than the cart in this photo.

[Southwest737]

Probably fake news

[CoachKandSportsguy]

geez, people, even I, have grown more educated about lithium, since a friend has purchased a lithium ion RV. Now I am not so scared about getting the non combustible lithium iron batteries (LiFePO4 chemistry).There are lithium ion batteries which can combust and lithium ion which can't combust. The combustable from the initial chemistries has slowly been improved and replaced with better systems and chemistries.

While i don't have total authority bias, meaning only authorities can be correct and listened to, in comparison to first have knowledge or sources, can we find out from the home owners what actually burned up?

And for those looking to convert from Lead Acid, which also burns, to non combustible Lithium ion, here is a great starter page for the cost and the safety. . I am converting as soon as I have saved up the money for sure. . huge weight savings and battery longevity. And no, I don't perform any financial analysis /payback analysis for personal choices of lifestyle. . financial concept is not applicable. ERROR#N/A

Golf Cart Batteries | Dakota Lithium Batteries (https://dakotalithium.com/36-volt-48-v-lithium-replacement-golf-cart-batteries/)

chemistry comparison
LifePO4 vs. Lithium Ion Batteries - Dakota Lithium Batteries (https://dakotalithium.com/2023/12/08/lifepo4-vs-lithium-ion-batteries-best-battery-density/)

education is key and continuing education is how your brain is re-programmed. .

[DrMack]

Probably fake news

No, I was a few house down enjoying Easter dinner when it happened. There were quite a few emergency vehicles there including ambulances. Our hosts Facebook confirmed most of the incident pulsePoint also had notifications. There was a lot of “fire” power at the scene.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

No, I was a few house down enjoying Easter dinner when it happened. There were quite a few emergency vehicles there including ambulances. Our hosts Facebook confirmed most of the incident pulsePoint also had notifications. There was a lot of “fire” power at the scene.

we got that part already,

where / how did the fire start and what burned up at the source?

that's all that matters. . .

[DrMack]

we got that part already,

where / how did the fire start and what burned up at the source?

that's all that matters. . .

I’m about 99% sure discussions around us were about which cart was involved. That’s all I got. I understand your concern. I will share if I find out for the benefit of all, but not as anything else.

[Pennyt]

I seem to remember the salesman telling my husband that there is a regulator, or safety feature, on his lithium batteries that would prevent combustion like that.

[Bill14564]

No, I was a few house down enjoying Easter dinner when it happened. There were quite a few emergency vehicles there including ambulances. Our hosts Facebook confirmed most of the incident pulsePoint also had notifications. There was a lot of “fire” power at the scene.

we got that part already,

where / how did the fire start and what burned up at the source?

that's all that matters. . .

Yep.


- The picture shows the main garage door was cut out, probably to allow access to the fire, but there is no sign of the golf cart door which implies it may have remained intact.
- The driver's side of the vehicle appears to be burned which puts the fire between the vehicle and the golf cart but the car itself did not ignite. Might be just soot from the smoke that will wash right off.
- There is no hole burned through the roof of the garage.
- It is hard to see the golf cart to tell what damage there may be but it appears to still have a golf-cart shape to it and is still on its wheels which is more than can be said for the gas carts that have burned.


If this was a lithium battery fire it was certainly not typical of the horror-film fires popular on YouTube and Tik-Tok.

It would be nice to hear an official report of what burned and what started the fire.

[Topspinmo]

It’s just advice. I have advised several throughout my career not to smoke also. Some developed cancer, others died of old age or other causes. When lithium batteries become safer, this shouldn’t be a problem. Of course the future may not even have lithium in the picture.

They would have lived longer if they didn’t smoke. Yuliy Borisovich Famous last words! “Just don’t Smoke”

[Topspinmo]

Yep.


The picture shows the main garage door was cut out, probably to allow access to the fire, but there is no sign of the golf cart door which implies it may have remained intact.
The driver's side of the vehicle appears to be burned which puts the fire between the vehicle and the golf cart but the car itself did not ignite.
There is no hole burned through the roof of the garage.
It is hard to see the golf cart to tell what damage there may be but it appears to still have a golf-cart shape to it and is still on its wheels which is more than can be said for the gas carts that have burned.


If this was a lithium battery fire it was certainly not typical of the horror-film fires popular on YouTube and Tik-Tok.

It would be nice to hear an official report of what burned and what started the fire.

Could have been short unrelated to batteries?

[Topspinmo]

I shouldn't sleep in the house either. Spontaneous human combustion!

I don’t close my eyes when I sleep. I may not be able to open them in morning.

[TomPerry]

Be careful if you have an electric cart with the new lithium batteries. Don’t leave it plugged in overnight under any circumstances! Yesterday we had fire engines galore up and down Barley Path because of a cart’s batteries catching fire. Electric carts are very dangerous. Be cautious with your new toys, all the bugs are far from worked out.
Why do you think the Government mandates No Lithium Batteries in cargo holes of air planes??? !!!

[Miboater]

geez, people, even I, have grown more educated about lithium, since a friend has purchased a lithium ion RV. Now I am not so scared about getting the non combustible lithium iron batteries (LiFePO4 chemistry).There are lithium ion batteries which can combust and lithium ion which can't combust. The combustable from the initial chemistries has slowly been improved and replaced with better systems and chemistries.

While i don't have total authority bias, meaning only authorities can be correct and listened to, in comparison to first have knowledge or sources, can we find out from the home owners what actually burned up?

And for those looking to convert from Lead Acid, which also burns, to non combustible Lithium ion, here is a great starter page for the cost and the safety. . I am converting as soon as I have saved up the money for sure. . huge weight savings and battery longevity. And no, I don't perform any financial analysis /payback analysis for personal choices of lifestyle. . financial concept is not applicable. ERROR#N/A

Golf Cart Batteries | Dakota Lithium Batteries (https://dakotalithium.com/36-volt-48-v-lithium-replacement-golf-cart-batteries/)

chemistry comparison
LifePO4 vs. Lithium Ion Batteries - Dakota Lithium Batteries (https://dakotalithium.com/2023/12/08/lifepo4-vs-lithium-ion-batteries-best-battery-density/)

education is key and continuing education is how your brain is re-programmed. .

I worked for a Lithium ion battery manufacturer and while I was on the mechanical side of battery development I do know a little about the chemistry. When you say there are Lithium batteries that combust and some that do not is misnomer. All lithium batteries can combust but to varying degrees. LiFePO4 is the safest chemistry there is that is mass produced but they are still susceptible to thermal runaway but they release heat at a much lower temperature than batteries that contain cobalt and manganese.

I would expect that most lithium batteries in golf carts sold are LiFePO4 chemistry so you probably won't see the fires that you used to see in earlier Lithium ion batteries that used cobalt and manganese. Looking at the damage in the picture it does seem like this was not an outright fire but a lower temperature thermal runaway but it still can do quite a bit of damage.

The safest lithium battery being developed is a solid state battery that does not have a liquid electrolyte as every other lithium battery including LiFePO4. They are having issues with production as it is more complex than an electrolyte battery and the energy density is lower as well. From what I've heard is that by the end of this decade is when they will be ready for mass production.

[ThirdOfFive]

I worked for a Lithium ion battery manufacturer and while I was on the mechanical side of battery development I do know a little about the chemistry. When you say there are Lithium batteries that combust and some that do not is misnomer. All lithium batteries can combust but to varying degrees. LiFePO4 is the safest chemistry there is that is mass produced but they are still susceptible to thermal runaway but they release heat at a much lower temperature than batteries that contain cobalt and manganese.

I would expect that most lithium batteries in golf carts sold are LiFePO4 chemistry so you probably won't see the fires that you used to see in earlier Lithium ion batteries that used cobalt and manganese. Looking at the damage in the picture it does seem like this was not an outright fire but a lower temperature thermal runaway but it still can do quite a bit of damage.

The safest lithium battery being developed is a solid state battery that does not have a liquid electrolyte as every other lithium battery including LiFePO4. They are having issues with production as it is more complex than an electrolyte battery and the energy density is lower as well. From what I've heard is that by the end of this decade is when they will be ready for mass production.
Fire isn't the only danger when a Lithium battery decides to immolate itself.

This, from the ttclub website (insurers who specialize in freight insurance and who, it can be assumed, know a thing or two about the dangers of lithium battery fires).

The toxicity of gases given off from any given lithium-ion battery differ from that of a typical fire and can themselves vary but all remain either poisonous or combustible, or both. They can feature high percentages of hydrogen, and compounds of hydrogen, including hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide, as well as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and methane among other dangerous chemicals.

In terms of hazards to the wellbeing of those in the vicinity of such an incident, one particularly problematic component is hydrogen fluoride (HF). Although HF is lighter than air and would disperse when released, a cloud of vapor and aerosol that is heavier than air may be formed (EPA 1993). On exposure to skin or by inhaling, HF can result in skin burns and lung damage that can take time (hours to weeks) to develop following exposure. HF will be quickly absorbed by the body via skin and lungs depleting vital calcium and magnesium levels in tissues, which can result in severe and possibly fatal systemic effects. The hydrogen content of the released gases can give rise to vapour cloud explosion risks which have the potential to cause significant damage.

Assuming the pictures of the garage damage in an earlier post in this thread is accurate, this can well explain what would appear to be overkill (i.e. sirens, flashing lights, etc.) on the part of the first responders. They know as well as anyone the multiple dangers of a lithium battery fire and are prepared to respond as needed.

[UpNorth]

Why do you think the Government mandates No Lithium Batteries in cargo holes of air planes??? !!!

I doubt if you could bring a gallon of gasoline either.

[Miboater]

Golf Cart Batteries | Dakota Lithium Batteries (https://dakotalithium.com/36-volt-48-v-lithium-replacement-golf-cart-batteries/)

chemistry comparison
LifePO4 vs. Lithium Ion Batteries - Dakota Lithium Batteries (https://dakotalithium.com/2023/12/08/lifepo4-vs-lithium-ion-batteries-best-battery-density/)

education is key and continuing education is how your brain is re-programmed. .[/QUOTE]

One other thing I would add is due your due diligence on who manufacturers the cells in the Dakota Lithium Batteries. There are a lot of companies that make batteries but there are much fewer that produce the cells. They purchase the cells and create the battery around them and some of these are using cheap Chinese cells.

[margaretmattson]

[QUOTE=dhdallas;2317800]Who starts these rumors? I leave my cart plugged in always. I also leave my electric bikes, cell phones, drill, circular saw, sander, and polisher, all of which are lithium powered plugged in 24/7 when not using them. Gas carts are much more likely to catch fire than an electric cart. I'm not even sure if the lithium fire story is true at all. There has been ZERO news stories on any fires in TV.[/QUOTE

I see you like to Gambler :DIf you only read the Sun, no stories regarding carts on fire will be found. Read the news outside of the Developers hands and you will find MANY- both gas and electric carts. One in Brownwood and one in Lake Sumter made the news a few months ago. Several others (with pictures) have been posted over the years. Some were even posted onto YouTube. I believe Dave and Brenda filmed a cart on fire on their route home. It happens more frequently than you are led to believe.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

One other thing I would add is due your due diligence on who manufacturers the cells in the Dakota Lithium Batteries. There are a lot of companies that make batteries but there are much fewer that produce the cells. They purchase the cells and create the battery around them and some of these are using cheap Chinese cells.

Totally agree.
Its still a bit of the wild, wild west of products, I totally agree.
Prices are coming down, but not to commodity status yet.

The recommended Chinese mfg of retail batteries, Litime.com, only gives a 5 year warranty, no US presence, drop shipped from China, and email only support with a 12 hour delay. I went with the US Mfg (assembled maybe), US service, and 11 year warranty and 150% of the Litime.com. Figured that was best, as compared to battlebornbatteries.com, which has prices 2X DakotaLithium.com.

[Bill14564]

If you only read the Sun, no stories regarding carts on fire will be found. Read the news outside of the Developers hands and you will find MANY- both gas and electric carts. One in Brownwood and one in Lake Sumter made the news a few months ago. Several others (with pictures) have been posted over the years. Some were even posted onto YouTube. I believe Dave and Brenda filmed a cart on fire on their route home. It happens more frequently than you are led to believe.

Sure cannot find "many" or "several". Two last year? One so far this year but nothing in any news that I've seen so far.

[Altavia]

[QUOTE=margaretmattson;2318094]

Sure cannot find "many" or "several". Two last year? One so far this year but nothing in any news that I've seen so far.

It's all relative. Cart fires seem no worse than the number homes a year set fire in the Villages by lightening.

[dhdallas]

Fake news. There was no lithium fire. A lithium fire burns and burns until it finally burns out which takes a very long time. A golf cart would be totally destroyed as would any structure it was in. There may well have been some small fire but it was not lithium batteries. This rumor just got started by some loser who hates electric vehicles, e-bikes whatever.

[margaretmattson]

[QUOTE=margaretmattson;2318094]

Sure cannot find "many" or "several". Two last year? One so far this year but nothing in any news that I've seen so far.One every few months in the Villages is SEVERAL by my définition. MANY incidents are reported in the news throughout Florida. I would hate to see more.

It is easy to say, " it will never happen to me." However, news outlets continue to remind GOLF CARTS, BOTH GAS AND ELECTRIC, can quickly catch fire. Some recommend charging outside of your home. As they say, an ounce of prevention.....

I remember seeing a YouTube video with a fireman explaining how golf carts catch on fire. I believe he worked in Palm Beach, Florida. I was unable to locate the video to upload. To my recollection, hydrogen gas emitted into the air when charging a cart sets off detectors in homes.

Reminder. My original post was in response to another that stated: THERE HAS BEEN ZERO NEW STORIES IN TV ABOUT FIRES. This is not true. SEVERAL have indeed been reported in TV. My ability to name a few does not mean there has not been more. There have been MANY reports throughout Florida. How many news casts or articles will it take for one to understand cart fires happen more often than believed? I find it strange that some do not even believe an eyewitness. (OP)

[Bill14564]

One every few months in the Villages is SEVERAL by my définition. MANY incidents are reported in the news throughout Florida. I would hate to see more.

It is easy to say, " it will never happen to me." However, news outlets continue to remind GOLF CARTS, BOTH GAS AND ELECTRIC, can quickly catch fire. Some recommend charging outside of your home. As they say, an ounce of prevention.....

I remember seeing a YouTube video with a fireman explaining how golf carts catch on fire. I believe he worked in Palm Beach, Florida. I was unable to locate the video to upload. To my recollection, hydrogen gas emitted into the air when charging a cart sets off detectors in homes.

Reminder. My original post was in response to another that stated: THERE HAS BEEN ZERO NEW STORIES IN TV ABOUT FIRES. This is not true. SEVERAL have indeed been reported in TV. My ability to name a few does not mean there has not been more. There have been MANY reports throughout Florida. How many news casts or articles will it take for one to understand cart fires happen more often than believed? I find it strange that some do not even believe an eyewitness. (OP)

It will take more than the ZERO news stories about electric cart fires in the Villages for me to believe that cart fires happen frequently.

I remember two news stories about cart fires in the Villages last year. If there were more, find a third and I will accept that there were three stories about cart fires.

I do not remember any stories about electric cart fires in the Villages last year. There has been speculation and accusation, even going so far as to ignore the information in the reporting about gasoline running down the road and STILL claiming it was a lithium cart fire.

Lithium cart fires likely do happen. Some don't get reported in any papers, I don't read all the papers, and I could have missed one. But there sure are not a lot of lithium cart fires and not more than gasoline cart fires, at least here in the Villages.

As far as believing the eyewitness... I believe there were fire engines and sirens which is what the eyewitness reported. I believe the garage door was cut from that home and that there is obvious smoke damage to the automobile. I believe the cart in the picture is likely an Evolution lithium cart. But I do not know if the lithium battery was the cause of the fire or even involved in the fire.

If the lithium battery was involved in this fire, then it is clear that it did not cause the catastrophic damage that is demonstrated in the YouTube and Tik-Tok videos.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

[QUOTE=Bill14564;2318105]One every few months in the Villages is SEVERAL by my définition. MANY incidents are reported in the news throughout Florida. I would hate to see more.

It is easy to say, " it will never happen to me." However, news outlets continue to remind GOLF CARTS, BOTH GAS AND ELECTRIC, can quickly catch fire. Some recommend charging outside of your home. As they say, an ounce of prevention.....

I remember seeing a YouTube video with a fireman explaining how golf carts catch on fire. I believe he worked in Palm Beach, Florida. I was unable to locate the video to upload. To my recollection, hydrogen gas emitted into the air when charging a cart sets off detectors in homes.

Reminder. My original post was in response to another that stated: THERE HAS BEEN ZERO NEW STORIES IN TV ABOUT FIRES. This is not true. SEVERAL have indeed been reported in TV. My ability to name a few does not mean there has not been more. There have been MANY reports throughout Florida. How many news casts or articles will it take for one to understand cart fires happen more often than believed? I find it strange that some do not even believe an eyewitness. (OP)

yes, we count fires on our fingers, between several to many, a lot if toes are included. But the only measure of safety is the relative proportion of fire to population. There is a very high number of golf carts in TV, in absolute and relative to other areas the same size in the rest of FL. Ergo, there will be more fires, which we count, even if there is the same or lower relative proportional of cart fires, both gas and electric, or even at a constant level of safety, accidents happen.

Just follow common safety procedures, and keep all your equipment properly maintained, and replace old or worn out equipment, including chargers and power controllers, and sometimes cheaper is not the best with electrical charging and control equipment.

can we please get back to some serious speculation and hyperbole where eye witnesses are not available and facts are non existent?

[Altavia]

Could have been short unrelated to batteries?

A neighbor had a car catch on fire (complete loss) due to a Chinese USB lithium battery pack left plugged in the car.

Similar to incidents reported on aircraft.

[jrref]

It will take more than the ZERO news stories about electric cart fires in the Villages for me to believe that cart fires happen frequently.

I remember two news stories about cart fires in the Villages last year. If there were more, find a third and I will accept that there were three stories about cart fires.

I do not remember any stories about electric cart fires in the Villages last year. There has been speculation and accusation, even going so far as to ignore the information in the reporting about gasoline running down the road and STILL claiming it was a lithium cart fire.

Lithium cart fires likely do happen. Some don't get reported in any papers, I don't read all the papers, and I could have missed one. But there sure are not a lot of lithium cart fires and not more than gasoline cart fires, at least here in the Villages.

As far as believing the eyewitness... I believe there were fire engines and sirens which is what the eyewitness reported. I believe the garage door was cut from that home and that there is obvious smoke damage to the automobile. I believe the cart in the picture is likely an Evolution lithium cart. But I do not know if the lithium battery was the cause of the fire or even involved in the fire.

If the lithium battery was involved in this fire, then it is clear that it did not cause the catastrophic damage that is demonstrated in the YouTube and Tik-Tok videos.

The recent golf cart fires here in the Villages were gas carts. In most of the cases the owner fills up the cart with gas and either they spill some on the engine or they don't tighten the gas cap properly and as they drive off, gas spills on the engine and catches fire. We spoke to the fire department chief and they have only put out gas cart fires recently, no electric carts. No this isn't to say that electric carts and cars or even hybrid cars with batteries can't catch fire but it's very rare. More likely, people by these lithium starter batteries from Amazon, who knows where they were made, and these for sure raise the risk of fire if not used properly.

[fdpaq0580]

Most important question to me is, "was anyone hurt"?

[jimjamuser]

Why do you think the Government mandates No Lithium Batteries in cargo holes of air planes??? !!!
Let us remember that in 1905 the infernal combustion engine was "scaring" the horses. Batteries for cars, trucks, golf cart, motorcycles and bicycles are MERELY in their INFANCY. Battery technology will improve - I can guarantee that ! Why pray-tell? Because of a laundry list of advantages that E-vehicles have over corresponding infernal combustion engines. To name a few.........the E-engine has about one-third the parts of the IC engine. The E-engine turns in a circle vs up and down for the ICE. The battery vehicle like a Tesla has a LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY than an IC engine vehicle. Lower Center of Gravity makes acceleration, de-acceleration (aka
braking) and cornering WAY better.
.........Battery technology will improve just like IC engine vehicles improved from 1910 until today. The FUTURE is bright for ELECTRIC vehicles.

[jimjamuser]

[QUOTE=Bill14564;2318105]

It's all relative. Cart fires seem no worse than the number homes a year set fire in the Villages by lightening.
And each year there will be more lightning because the Atlantic and Gulf waters will be warmer. Warm air produces more clouds and more cloud friction produces more lightning "sticks".

[FredMitchell]

Looks like this was a successful April 1 prank.

Well done.

[Eagle06]

I've had a Lithium Powered Golf cart for 4 years now. Leave it plugged-in every time it's parked in my garage as recommended by Club Car. Never had a problem. Let's not disparage all Lithium Powered Golf Carts because of this fire. Let's ID the problem, Manufacturer? After-Market Battery? DIY Conversion to Lithium?

[Normal]

Looks like this was a successful April 1 prank.

Well done.

As much as Global Warming!

[Southwest737]

No, I was a few house down enjoying Easter dinner when it happened. There were quite a few emergency vehicles there including ambulances. Our hosts Facebook confirmed most of the incident pulsePoint also had notifications. There was a lot of “fire” power at the scene.


The fake part is you Dr stating it was a lithium cart fire. Where is your proof?

[DrMack]

The fake part is you Dr stating it was a lithium cart fire. Where is your proof?

Why is proof needed? Here is the incident number to use at your leisure. You aren’t logical in approach. SCSO24CAD034602

[Bill14564]

Why is proof needed? Here is the incident number to use at your leisure. You aren’t logical in approach. SCSO24CAD034602

Proof is needed because without it I can write that I heard there were fire engines in Citrus Grove on 3/31. The report was of a lithium car fire but it turned out to be something else. There was a lot of smoke damage to the SUV and golf cart that were in the garage and the garage door was cut out to access the fire but no one was injured.

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA IF THE ABOVE IS TRUE. But without proof, I have absolutely no idea if it is false either.

[Normal]

Why is proof needed? Here is the incident number to use at your leisure. You aren’t logical in approach. SCSO24CAD034602

How do you access that? It appears it was a muttered response? Lady Lake, Sumter and Lake County Border, both counties responded? Located in Wildwood? Too many questions.

[Shipping up to Boston]

How do you access that? It appears it was a muttered response? Lady Lake, Sumter and Lake County Border, both counties responded? Located in Wildwood? Too many questions.

Mutual aid...not uncommon across the country

[Bill14564]

How do you access that? It appears it was a muttered response? Lady Lake, Sumter and Lake County Border, both counties responded? Located in Wildwood? Too many questions.

I do not know how to access that but I do know:
- it is a Sumter County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) number
- The sequence number is correct for an incident on 3/31
- This particular number does not appear on the only page I found that lists SCSO numbers
- Even the page I found gives no details beyond date and time