Golf cart fire

[Mrprez]

Over near Sarasota yesterday.

[Taltarzac725]

Over near Sarasota yesterday.

Not much left.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

The article didn’t say whether it was electric or gas? And if electric was it the old kind of battery or lithium?

[Bill14564]

The article didn’t say whether it was electric or gas? And if electric was it the old kind of battery or lithium?

The article I read said lithium and the fire department used a special blanket to put it out

[asianthree]

The article I read said lithium and the fire department used a special blanket to put it out

So maybe special charge for special blanket :22yikes:

[tophcfa]

Yikes, not good. Why anyone wouldn’t want a gas Yamaha is beyond me? Just walk around a town square during a busy time and take inventory of what’s the best.

[Bill14564]

Yikes, not good. Why anyone wouldn’t want a gas Yamaha is beyond me? Just walk around a town square during a busy time and take inventory of what’s the best.

You’re seeing most common and concluding best. Really not the same thing.

I have one of each but I prefer my electric. I will definitely get another electric when the gas cart needs replacing.

[dtennent]

We have two electric carts and will ride them til they die. BTW, a brand new gasoline engine car burnt up down the street about a week ago. Any type of powered vehicle will burn given the right circumstances.

[tophcfa]

You’re seeing most common and concluding best. Really not the same thing.

I have one of each but I prefer my electric. I will definitely get another electric when the gas cart needs replacing.

People vote about what’s best based on what they drive. Based on what I observe, the conclusion is as obvious as the day as long. Everyone has their own opinion, but there is absolutely no doubt about what the general population in the Villages thinks the superior option is. If you disagree, simply take a walk around a town square during a busy event and take inventory. The conclusion will be definitive.

[MorTech]

Does anyone know the brand of golf cart?
Was it a DYI lithium battery pack?
What was the battery chemistry?

Forensics would be extremely helpful here.

[BrianL99]

I posted this a few days ago, but it was apparently deleted.

Possibly, because it came from the newspaper that shouldn't be named (although, the TOTV engagement farming bot, posted it on FaceBook).

I'm re-posting, because people seem curious about what kind of car it was.

Looks fairly clear, it was a gasoline fine.

[BrianL99]

People vote about what’s best based on what they drive. Based on what I observe, the conclusion is as obvious as the day as long. .

People's opinion is more based on what they BUY, rather than what they drive. They vote with their wallet, not their history.

Electric carts outsell gasoline cars by about a 3:1 margin.

Your conclusion is like saying back in the 1950's, people preferred to burn coal for heat or use "ice" for refrigeration. Not true. That's simply what was available when they purchased.

[Papa_lecki]

Yikes, not good. Why anyone wouldn’t want a gas Yamaha is beyond me? Just walk around a town square during a busy time and take inventory of what’s the best.

Um, from the article.

The driver noticed smoke and exited the cart safely….

The golf cart was equipped with lithium-ion batteries, which are now posing challenges to firefighters across the nation.

[Papa_lecki]

People's opinion is more based on what they BUY, rather than what they drive. They vote with their wallet, not their history.

Electric carts outsell gasoline cars by about a 3:1 margin.

Your conclusion is like saying back in the 1950's, people preferred to burn coal for heat or use "ice" for refrigeration. Not true. That's simply what was available when they purchased.

Most country club’s but electric, because the infrastructure for charging a simpler than gas delivery.

[Bill14564]

Most country club’s but electric, because the infrastructure for charging a simpler than gas delivery.

That's a pretty good argument for why electric is best for country clubs.

[Bill14564]

People vote about what’s best based on what they drive. Based on what I observe, the conclusion is as obvious as the day as long. Everyone has their own opinion, but there is absolutely no doubt about what the general population in the Villages thinks the superior option is. If you disagree, simply take a walk around a town square during a busy event and take inventory. The conclusion will be definitive.

What people drive is based on what they bought. What they bought was based on:
- what was available - electric carts have only become widely available in the last few years
- what was popular - your point about what they see in the squares
- the level of misinformation - contrary to what we are likely to see in this thread, electric carts are not exploding daily throughout the Villages
- practical considerations - over 50 miles per day, no convenient access to a gas station, noise level, features, etc.

"Popular" is not the same as "best." Using your criteria, if I walked around the squares I would definitively conclude that City Fire was the best restaurant and Michelob Ultra, Miller Light, and Yuengling were the best beers.

[Bay Kid]

Looks to be an older cart. Glad all are safe.

[Bill14564]

Does anyone know the brand of golf cart?
Was it a DYI lithium battery pack?
What was the battery chemistry?

Forensics would be extremely helpful here.

The notch in the front is similar to a Club Car Precedent.
The article mentioned lithium batteries.

[Topspinmo]

The article I read said lithium and the fire department used a special blanket to put it out

Put it out? Only after everything that could burn got burned up. Or maybe the covered it up till everything got burned up?

[Topspinmo]

Looks to be an older cart. Glad all are safe.

With newer batteries.

[Topspinmo]

We have two electric carts and will ride them til they die. BTW, a brand new gasoline engine car burnt up down the street about a week ago. Any type of powered vehicle will burn given the right circumstances.

So what brand of car? Certain brand don’t recommend parking them in garage due to fire hazard? Till they figure out what they did wrong? And what does millions of cars compare to few golf carts.

[Rollie]

From the picture, it looks like an older club car precedent. The article said it was a lithium battery that caught fire. Looking at the picture, I would say it was a do your own installation. Something that really should be left to a professional..

Rollie

[Bilyclub]

What people drive is based on what they bought. What they bought was based on:
- what was available - electric carts have only become widely available in the last few years
- what was popular - your point about what they see in the squares
- the level of misinformation - contrary to what we are likely to see in this thread, electric carts are not exploding daily throughout the Villages
- practical considerations - over 50 miles per day, no convenient access to a gas station, noise level, features, etc.

"Popular" is not the same as "best." Using your criteria, if I walked around the squares I would definitively conclude that City Fire was the best restaurant and Michelob Ultra, Miller Light, and Yuengling were the best beers.



Electric golf carts have been widely available for a long time. Perhaps you mean lithium electric carts ?

[gorillarick]

Villages News article yesterday (Sunday). Yes, it was lithium batts.

FD used a new blanket to put it out. Bought specifically for electric (lithium) golf cart fires.

[Bill14564]

Electric golf carts have been widely available for a long time. Perhaps you mean lithium electric carts ?

I should have been more clear, I mean electric carts sold within the Villages.

When I bought my first cart in 2020 there were not many electric carts offered at The Villages or The Villages Discount. When I bought my second in 2022 I found choices by four manufacturers.

The increase in availability did seem to follow the pattern crease in lithium - that probably is not just a coincidence.

[mrf6969]

Played golf on a mountain course recently. They had Icon carts. Great choice for torque and instant power. I must say riding it on hard surfaces, it felt like a lumber wagon and the steering was not carlike compared to the ride and handling of the new Yamahas.

[ElDiabloJoe]

BrianL999's graph/pie chart shows a decent amount of carts sold are solar. Gotta admit, never in my life have I seen a solar cart.

As for putting the fire out with the "special" blanket and leaving. nothing but the charred frame, the need for the blanket has to do with how lithium batteries can self-rekindle hours or even days after they are "put out." At least according to the article at the new site which must never be named.

[BrianL99]

Most country club’s but electric, because the infrastructure for charging a simpler than gas delivery.

Most country clubs lease carts and the majority lease electric carts.


There are number of reasons why it's more practical for them to use electric carts & infrastructure became one of those reasons, when storing and handling gasoline became so expensive and regulation intensive.

[BrianL99]

BrianL999's graph/pie chart shows a decent amount of carts sold are solar. Gotta admit, never in my life have I seen a solar cart.


The vast majority of so-called "solar powered" gas carts, simply use solar panels to help charge the batteries. I'm not aware of any carts that operate with "direct solar" ... doesn't seem practical to me.

PowerDrive Golf Car Solar Panels (https://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/powerdrive-golf-car-solar-panels)

[gorillarick]

Forensics - not much to go on there. Owner's testimony and records.

Solar carts - you can buy a canopy with photoelectric cells on them, but it is not much more than a trickle charger. Would keep your cart fully charged if you left it in the sun while on vacation.
In Florida that would be cooking your cart !

All the lithium batteries I'm aware of (for golf carts) are Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 or LFP for short, much safer and forgiving than Lithium ion.
But, also from what I know all LFP are from you know where. Some are assembled in the US, but cells are from you know where.
Same with electric bikes - correct me if I'm wrong; not such an expert those.

I would like to know the brand of golf cart, conversion or OEM or replacement for the OEM batteries, the brand of the batteries ???

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

The vast majority of so-called "solar powered" gas carts, simply use solar panels to help charge the batteries. I'm not aware of any carts that operate with "direct solar" ... doesn't seem practical to me.

PowerDrive Golf Car Solar Panels (https://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/powerdrive-golf-car-solar-panels)

We had one of the solar powered electric carts at our last place and were wondering why it isn’t sold here?

[FloridaGuy66]

All the lithium batteries I'm aware of (for golf carts) are Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 or LFP for short, much safer and forgiving than Lithium ion.


This is correct. Definitely impossible that this fire was with one of the newer LiFePO4 batteries.

I wish that the media that likes to jump all over anything electric would actually point out that this won't happen with the newer batteries.

[Calisport]

It does look like an older model so wonder why it was Lithium.

[FloridaGuy66]

It does look like an older model so wonder why it was Lithium.

Older models will usually have either:

-Lead flooded deep cycle batteries (sort've like car batteries but better for handling being charged over and over).

-Lithium Ion batteries. The ones that can have a spontaneous fire that goes out of control. Not in most new electric carts, but they are still in Teslas

-Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries aka (LiFePo batteries). This are not flammable at all and are what all quality golf carts are using now for the past few years

[MorTech]

Forensics - not much to go on there. Owner's testimony and records.

Solar carts - you can buy a canopy with photoelectric cells on them, but it is not much more than a trickle charger. Would keep your cart fully charged if you left it in the sun while on vacation.
In Florida that would be cooking your cart !

All the lithium batteries I'm aware of (for golf carts) are Lithium Iron Phosphate LiFePO4 or LFP for short, much safer and forgiving than Lithium ion.
But, also from what I know all LFP are from you know where. Some are assembled in the US, but cells are from you know where.
Same with electric bikes - correct me if I'm wrong; not such an expert those.

I would like to know the brand of golf cart, conversion or OEM or replacement for the OEM batteries, the brand of the batteries ???

EZGO uses NMC (Samsung) battery chemistry.
Club Car uses NCA battery chemistry (I think).
All others I know of use LFP battery chemistry.

All are lithium ion. China made all the LFP batteries since they own the patents...Which have recently expired.

Safest is LFP...then NMC...then NCA. NCA is a fragile lattice structure and LFP is very strong. I have a 150ah LFP (EVE) pack I put together myself. I charge at 0.1C to 3.5V/cell to avoid thermal runaway. I was going to up the voltage a bit but now I am not :)

[MorTech]

It appears to be a Club Car. Don't know if the lithium batteries were OEM...I doubt it.

[MorTech]

It does look like an older model so wonder why it was Lithium.

Yup.

[DrMack]

Thankfully nobody was hurt. These lithium batteries are very dangerous. The government needs to get involved and ban them until something can be figured out.

[VAtoFLA]

Thankfully nobody was hurt. These lithium batteries are very dangerous. The government needs to get involved and ban them until something can be figured out.

This gas fire (from page 1) looks pretty dangerous too. Are you recommending the same for that volatile liquid or are you thinking the owners need to manage their use better or differently? Same would go for volatile batteries.

I drive Yamaha Gas, but the electric segment has come a long way in a short time. We'll see what the next one is. To each their own.

[La lamy]

over near sarasota yesterday.

whoa!!!

[rsmurano]

I had a LifePo battery for my RC sailboat and they recommended that I charge the battery in a special bag in case a fire got started during charging.

Lifepo batteries are indeed flammable under these situations:

Overcharging
Applying too much current to a battery can cause it to overheat and catch fire

Extreme temperatures
Freezing or extremely hot weather can cause a battery to release a large amount of energy and explode

Improper installation
Connecting batteries with different resistances can cause them to overheat and burn

There was a big push for everybody to buy electric everything. Those days are gone. Lithium golf carts cost more and are more expensive to maintain over the life of the cart. I’m including the many thousands of $$$ for new lithium batteries in 7-8 years and the expense of dumping these batteries as toxic waste

[Remembergoldenrule]

Over near Sarasota yesterday.

I hope no one was hurt!

[CybrSage]

Yikes, not good. Why anyone wouldn’t want a gas Yamaha is beyond me? Just walk around a town square during a busy time and take inventory of what’s the best.

That means McDonald's makes the best burger.

[Remembergoldenrule]

I posted this a few days ago, but it was apparently deleted.

Possibly, because it came from the newspaper that shouldn't be named (although, the TOTV engagement farming bot, posted it on FaceBook).

I'm re-posting, because people seem curious about what kind of car it was.

Looks fairly clear, it was a gasoline fine.

I can’t believe someone on phone would walk that close to a burning vehicle!

[CybrSage]

Thankfully nobody was hurt. These lithium batteries are very dangerous. The government needs to get involved and ban them until something can be figured out.

Unlike gasoline, which is 100% safe and could never catch fire or explode.

[CybrSage]

This is correct. Definitely impossible that this fire was with one of the newer LiFePO4 batteries.

I wish that the media that likes to jump all over anything electric would actually point out that this won't happen with the newer batteries.

How does that battery stop the massive and sudden heat build up if there is a short across the terminals?

[PoolBrews]

I had a LifePo battery for my RC sailboat and they recommended that I charge the battery in a special bag in case a fire got started during charging.

Lifepo batteries are indeed flammable under these situations:

Overcharging
Applying too much current to a battery can cause it to overheat and catch fire

Extreme temperatures
Freezing or extremely hot weather can cause a battery to release a large amount of energy and explode

Improper installation
Connecting batteries with different resistances can cause them to overheat and burn

There was a big push for everybody to buy electric everything. Those days are gone. Lithium golf carts cost more and are more expensive to maintain over the life of the cart. I’m including the many thousands of $$$ for new lithium batteries in 7-8 years and the expense of dumping these batteries as toxic waste

Wow. So much mis-information here, where do I begin... (Note: I was an engineer in this industry for many years and understand this technology very well.)

Overcharging:

If you purchase from a manufacturer and it's not a DIY kit, the charging process is regulated and the battery cannot overcharge. Built in fail safes will disable charging if any faults occur with the regulator circuit.

Extreme Temperatures:

The temperature range for LiFePO4 batteries is typically -4°F to 140°F, but optimal performance is between 32°F and 113°F. There is no temperature we will ever see here in Florida that will come close to either end of the range.

Improper installation:

This is only a DIY issue. Easily avoidable by buying from a manufacturer that designed the cart specifically for LifeP04.

"Lithium golf carts cost more and are more expensive to maintain over the life of the cart. I’m including the many thousands of $$$ for new lithium batteries in 7-8 years and the expense of dumping these batteries as toxic waste"

Comparing an Evolution D5 Ranger fully decked out with a 205ah battery (70 mile range) to a brand new Yamaha:

- The Evolution is ~$10,000 less. (Yamaha $21,000 / Evolution D5 $11,000)
- The battery has an 8 year warranty, but is rated for 3,000 cycles. That equates to 210,000 miles before replacement. You'll be ready for a new cart before the battery needs replacing. And if it did need replacing, a new battery is currently $3,000 - so you could replace 3 times before getting to the cost of the Yamaha.
- Lithium carts have nearly ZERO cost to maintain over the life of the cart. You need to replace brake pads and tires (same as for a gas cart) and change differential oil every couple of years, but that's it. No gas to buy, no regular oil change, no clutch replacement, no tune-up, no filters.
- There is no cost to dispose of an old battery. There are locations that take an old battery at no cost. In fact, there are many places that will actually buy the old battery back as LifeP04 has a high percentage of recyleable components.

[Indydealmaker]

People's opinion is more based on what they BUY, rather than what they drive. They vote with their wallet, not their history.

Electric carts outsell gasoline cars by about a 3:1 margin.

Your conclusion is like saying back in the 1950's, people preferred to burn coal for heat or use "ice" for refrigeration. Not true. That's simply what was available when they purchased.

I don't believe these stats would represent consumer golf cart use in The Villages.

[BrianL99]

Wow. So much mis-information here, where do I begin... (Note: I was an engineer in this industry for many years and understand this technology very well.)

Overcharging:

If you purchase from a manufacturer and it's not a DIY kit, the charging process is regulated and the battery cannot overcharge. Built in fail safes will disable charging if any faults occur with the regulator circuit.

Extreme Temperatures:

The temperature range for LiFePO4 batteries is typically -4°F to 140°F, but optimal performance is between 32°F and 113°F. There is no temperature we will ever see here in Florida that will come close to either end of the range.

Improper installation:

This is only a DIY issue. Easily avoidable by buying from a manufacturer that designed the cart specifically for LifeP04.

"Lithium golf carts cost more and are more expensive to maintain over the life of the cart. I’m including the many thousands of $$$ for new lithium batteries in 7-8 years and the expense of dumping these batteries as toxic waste"

Comparing an Evolution D5 Ranger fully decked out with a 205ah battery (70 mile range) to a brand new Yamaha:

- The Evolution is ~$10,000 less. (Yamaha $21,000 / Evolution D5 $11,000)
- The battery has an 8 year warranty, but is rated for 3,000 cycles. That equates to 210,000 miles before replacement. You'll be ready for a new cart before the battery needs replacing. And if it did need replacing, a new battery is currently $3,000 - so you could replace 3 times before getting to the cost of the Yamaha.
- Lithium carts have nearly ZERO cost to maintain over the life of the cart. You need to replace brake pads and tires (same as for a gas cart) and change differential oil every couple of years, but that's it. No gas to buy, no regular oil change, no clutch replacement, no tune-up, no filters.
- There is no cost to dispose of an old battery. There are locations that take an old battery at no cost. In fact, there are many places that will actually buy the old battery back as LifeP04 has a high percentage of recyleable components.

Please don't try to confuse posters, with facts.


I don't believe these stats would represent consumer golf cart use in The Villages.

"Consumer golf car use" and "current golf cart buying preferences" are 2 completely different subjects.

In 1955, my grandmother heated her home with coal and it had been that way since her home was build in the early 1900's. When it came time to upgrade the heating system in the late 1950's, coal was no longer the fuel of choice. The exact same dynamic that's going on with golf carts in TV.

If people buying new golf carts in TV, stopped listening to the nonsense on FaceBook, TOTV and other social media sites, they would never buy a gasoline powered golf cart. Within the next 5 years, it will be against the rules to bring a new gasoline powered golf cart into The Villages, if the marketplace doesn't eliminate them ever sooner.

[tophcfa]

Within the next 5 years, it will be against the rules to bring a new gasoline powered golf cart into The Villages, if the marketplace doesn't eliminate them ever sooner.

Maybe or maybe not. But that’s why we have three very nice gas carts in our garage. If we had room I would consider getting another one.

[mco1965]

Electric or Gas... this is very scary.

[mco1965]

Please don't try to confuse posters, with facts.




"Consumer golf car use" and "current golf cart buying preferences" are 2 completely different subjects.

In 1955, my grandmother heated her home with coal and it had been that way since her home was build in the early 1900's. When it came time to upgrade the heating system in the late 1950's, coal was no longer the fuel of choice. The exact same dynamic that's going on with golf carts in TV.

If people buying new golf carts in TV, stopped listening to the nonsense on FaceBook, TOTV and other social media sites, they would never buy a gasoline powered golf cart. Within the next 5 years, it will be against the rules to bring a new gasoline powered golf cart into The Villages, if the marketplace doesn't eliminate them ever sooner.

Good analogy. I don't think it will happen in 5 years but its definitely coming..

[Bill14564]

I posted this a few days ago, but it was apparently deleted.

Possibly, because it came from the newspaper that shouldn't be named (although, the TOTV engagement farming bot, posted it on FaceBook).

I'm re-posting, because people seem curious about what kind of car it was.

Looks fairly clear, it was a gasoline fine.

This gas fire (from page 1) looks pretty dangerous too. Are you recommending the same for that volatile liquid or are you thinking the owners need to manage their use better or differently? Same would go for volatile batteries.

I drive Yamaha Gas, but the electric segment has come a long way in a short time. We'll see what the next one is. To each their own.

Looking at the picture of the burned out cart, the presence of a big chunk of metal where the motor would be and the absence of anything that looks like a clutch provide pretty good evidence that it was an electric cart. This also supports the reporting in the paper.

[Topspinmo]

Another gas vs electric. Seems like when even one or the other catches fire the band starts playing mine is better than your. Electric carts are good for someone who thinks they fit their needs. Gas carts are good also. IMO the different is general knowledge. Takes little to own electric cart. Plug it in and go. Where gas carts takes Some knowledge other than reading comprehension skills. Either way you have to be able to determine it something not right. Most don’t have those skills. So it’s roll of dice for them. Nothing wrong with either. We will NOT see total electric in our lifetime, your grandkids maybe? So buy what you want and let others do same.

[ElDiabloJoe]

...

I drive Yamaha Gas, but the electric segment has come a long way in a short time. We'll see what the next one is. To each their own.

I agree 100%. I am a Yammi gas owner and fan. However, recently, I've eye-balling the EZ-Go American-Made Liberty ESV lately. The post, below, by PoolBrews, has my vote for Post Of The Week! I'm no climate-change fallacy believer, but I appreciate the logical and factual dose of information provided by PoolBrews. Bravo Zulu!

Wow. So much mis-information here, where do I begin... (Note: I was an engineer in this industry for many years and understand this technology very well.)

Overcharging:

If you purchase from a manufacturer and it's not a DIY kit, the charging process is regulated and the battery cannot overcharge. Built in fail safes will disable charging if any faults occur with the regulator circuit.

Extreme Temperatures:

The temperature range for LiFePO4 batteries is typically -4°F to 140°F, but optimal performance is between 32°F and 113°F. There is no temperature we will ever see here in Florida that will come close to either end of the range.

Improper installation:

This is only a DIY issue. Easily avoidable by buying from a manufacturer that designed the cart specifically for LifeP04.

"Lithium golf carts cost more and are more expensive to maintain over the life of the cart. I’m including the many thousands of $$$ for new lithium batteries in 7-8 years and the expense of dumping these batteries as toxic waste"

Comparing an Evolution D5 Ranger fully decked out with a 205ah battery (70 mile range) to a brand new Yamaha:

- The Evolution is ~$10,000 less. (Yamaha $21,000 / Evolution D5 $11,000)
- The battery has an 8 year warranty, but is rated for 3,000 cycles. That equates to 210,000 miles before replacement. You'll be ready for a new cart before the battery needs replacing. And if it did need replacing, a new battery is currently $3,000 - so you could replace 3 times before getting to the cost of the Yamaha.
- Lithium carts have nearly ZERO cost to maintain over the life of the cart. You need to replace brake pads and tires (same as for a gas cart) and change differential oil every couple of years, but that's it. No gas to buy, no regular oil change, no clutch replacement, no tune-up, no filters.
- There is no cost to dispose of an old battery. There are locations that take an old battery at no cost. In fact, there are many places that will actually buy the old battery back as LifeP04 has a high percentage of recyleable components.

[justjim]

You’re seeing most common and concluding best. Really not the same thing.

I have one of each but I prefer my electric. I will definitely get another electric when the gas cart needs replacing.

To each his own.

[tjdmlhw]

I posted this a few days ago, but it was apparently deleted.

Possibly, because it came from the newspaper that shouldn't be named (although, the TOTV engagement farming bot, posted it on FaceBook).

I'm re-posting, because people seem curious about what kind of car it was.

Looks fairly clear, it was a gasoline fine.

The article in the paper said that it was a Lithium Cart and that the fire department had to use a smother blanket to put the fire out.

[MplsPete]

/////

[MplsPete]

... Within the next 5 years, it will be against the rules to bring a new gasoline powered golf cart into The Villages...

Why?

[FloridaGuy66]

How does that battery stop the massive and sudden heat build up if there is a short across the terminals?

All LiFePO batteries have a battery management system integrated into the battery. In virtually all cases , this includes overcharge protection, reverse polarity protection, overheating protection, etc.

[jimmy o]

Over near Sarasota yesterday.
reminds me when the Cisco Kid and Poncho were riding the trail and Cisco said "Oh Poncho look, the church, she's on fire". Poncho replied "Holy Smoke".

[CybrSage]

All LiFePO batteries have a battery management system integrated into the battery. In virtually all cases , this includes overcharge protection, reverse polarity protection, overheating protection, etc.

Did not answer the question. How does it prevent a short across the terminals from causing sudden and massive amounts of heat?

[BrianL99]

The article in the paper said that it was a Lithium Cart and that the fire department had to use a smother blanket to put the fire out.

That was a subsequent story.

The original story that showed the vehicle engulfed in flames, had no information what sort of power the cart had.

[BrianL99]

Within the next 5 years, it will be against the rules to bring a new gasoline powered golf cart into The Villages, if the marketplace doesn't eliminate them ever sooner.

Why?

The Villages is the only "golf cart community" I know of, that allows gasoline powered carts. OTOTW doesn't, Lakewood Ranch doesn't, Southern Hills Plantation doesn't. You'd be hard-pressed to find any community built in the last 20 years, that allows gas carts.

[ElDiabloJoe]

The Villages is the only "golf cart community" I know of, that allows gasoline powered carts. OTOTW doesn't, Lakewood Ranch doesn't, Southern Hills Plantation doesn't. You'd be hard-pressed to find any community built in the last 20 years, that allows gas carts.
The People's Republic of Kalifornia outlawed sales/purchase of them a couple decades ago, FWIW.

[PoolBrews]

Did not answer the question. How does it prevent a short across the terminals from causing sudden and massive amounts of heat?

Why is this even a question? My LifeP04 battery is as wide as the cart, and the terminals are on opposite sides of the battery. How would you ever get a short here?

And before you bring up something else equally invalid - if you short the terminals on a 12v battery on a gas cart (which are only 10" apart), the battery can explode or spark, causing the gas tank to catch fire and explode. Although it's a very remote possibility, it still has a greater chance of occurring than your scenario.

Neither scenario is ever likely to occur, and should not factor into anyone's decision.

I'm not advocating for gas or electric - both work fine. I'm just trying to get rid of mis-information, myths, and rumors so that folks can actually make an informed decision when purchasing.

[Papa_lecki]

The Villages is the only "golf cart community" I know of, that allows gasoline powered carts. OTOTW doesn't, Lakewood Ranch doesn't, Southern Hills Plantation doesn't. You'd be hard-pressed to find any community built in the last 20 years, that allows gas carts.

Honestly, it’s because The Villages is the only retirement community large enough to have golf cart access to gas stations.

They don’t want retirees going to Sunoco with gas cans, and driving them back to the house.

[Topspinmo]

All LiFePO batteries have a battery management system integrated into the battery. In virtually all cases , this includes overcharge protection, reverse polarity protection, overheating protection, etc.

Air bags was supposed to be next best thing also? Nothing fool proof.

[MorTech]

With RC cars and boats as well as cell phones, you are charging the battery at high maximum rates (1-4C) to save on time. This is far more dangerous than golf carts charging at 0.15C. Charging at those high rates seriously degrades the battery life. The risk of thermal runaway is near zero when charging at 0.2C and below. I end my charge at 3.5V because the heat generated from 3.5V to 3.65V (max LFP cell voltage) is at its highest and the charge capacity gain is very small and the time it takes is higher...It ain't worth it.

What are the odds of a lithium cell phone exploding when being charged at 1C? Anyone ever have that happen to them yet? Fast charging is really only safe between 25% and 80% state of charge.

I doubt TV will ever outlaw gas carts. So what? To each their own. Hopefully 314ah carts will become available soon...That will be about 120 miles per charge. Maybe sodium ion batteries will replace lithium in the future.

[MorTech]

The Villages is the only "golf cart community" I know of, that allows gasoline powered carts. OTOTW doesn't, Lakewood Ranch doesn't, Southern Hills Plantation doesn't. You'd be hard-pressed to find any community built in the last 20 years, that allows gas carts.

The difference....The Villages is massive.

[BrianL99]

The difference....The Villages is massive.

So isn't the USA, yet people are driving around with electric cars.

[Topspinmo]

So isn't the USA, yet people are driving around with electric cars.

They are but not far yet :icon_bored:

[BrianL99]

So isn't the USA, yet people are driving around with electric cars.

They are but not far yet :icon_bored:

I'm from an advocate of EV's, but the situation is improving. I have a friend who drives his Tesla to FL & back, twice a year from NH. He can charge it, in about the same time it takes me to make a fuel stop and grab a cup of coffee.

The real drawbacks to EV's, is simply the power-grid. Until we get back to producing electric power with nuclear plants, we just won't be able to supply the electricity. I just had a large residential project in MA gutted, because NationalGrid says they can't deliver sufficient power for the development.

[UpNorth]

The difference....The Villages is massive.

And if you had to drive it in a golf cart (gas or electric), you will know what "massive" feels like.

[MorTech]

So isn't the USA, yet people are driving around with electric cars.

Just wait until TV expands down to Havana Cuba :) Maybe 10 years(?) That golf cart bridge from Key West to Havana is going to take a 250ah battery minimum :)

[MorTech]

I'm from an advocate of EV's, but the situation is improving. I have a friend who drives his Tesla to FL & back, twice a year from NH. He can charge it, in about the same time it takes me to make a fuel stop and grab a cup of coffee.

The real drawbacks to EV's, is simply the power-grid. Until we get back to producing electric power with nuclear plants, we just won't be able to supply the electricity. I just had a large residential project in MA gutted, because NationalGrid says they can't deliver sufficient power for the development.

The new Energy Secretary, who is not a retard, wants to build 5000 gen 3/4 nuke plants. I think 10,000 small modular neighborhood nukes is a better idea. Centralization is extremely dangerous.

[Topspinmo]

I'm from an advocate of EV's, but the situation is improving. I have a friend who drives his Tesla to FL & back, twice a year from NH. He can charge it, in about the same time it takes me to make a fuel stop and grab a cup of coffee.

The real drawbacks to EV's, is simply the power-grid. Until we get back to producing electric power with nuclear plants, we just won't be able to supply the electricity. I just had a large residential project in MA gutted, because NationalGrid says they can't deliver sufficient power for the development.

And Tesla made that big investment to supply charging stations. Tesla always seems to be step ahead. Agree, the power grid holding everything back. It take our (over 60s) life time to fix it IMO.