[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

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]

Originally Posted by PoolBrews

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.

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by VAtoFLA

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]

Originally Posted by VAtoFLA

...

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!

Originally Posted by PoolBrews

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]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

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

Why?

[FloridaGuy66]

Originally Posted by CybrSage

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.