LFP Cell or BMS Failure

[OceanPlanet]

Originally Posted by Colin A

The only failure I know of was on Mala Conducta a custom built cat. The report I received was that the boat had a direct lighting strike which took out most of it's electronics etc. When the DC system was recommissioned a fire stated in the compartment with the batteries (one of the techs on the boat at the time talking to someone here at work stated the explosion when the fire started nearly knocked him out) . There is speculation whether it was an internal fault on the batteries or some of the attached equipment that was damaged that caused the issue. I'm not sure if the exact cause was ever found.

The damage was also discussed on this forum
Lithium - the future [Archive] - Multihulls4us Forums

In defense of the Valence system on Mala Conducta (I have no ties with Valence, I sell Genasun GLI), my understanding is that the BMS was probably taken out by the lightning strike. However there was no fire until someone apparently bypassed the system (relays, etc.) and tried to directly charge the batteries. Big no-no.

[CharlieJ]

To those that have responded, thanks. It has been quite awhile since I have refreshed this question so I am asking again: Does anybody have any knowledge, with citations, of LFP cell/bank failure or of a BMS failure.

[NahanniV]

There is a CF user named roetter whao had two 700AH cells fail:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2039734

[44'cruisingcat]

With citation?


I do know two people who had faulty cells replaced under warranty. These cells were faulty from new. Don't know of any cell failures once in service.

[SV THIRD DAY]

Could it be that the Bogeyman that is rumored to burn down your boat with LiFePO4 batteries isn't anymore of a real danger than propane used for cooking aboard?

Herrick...witch...burn him....

[kmacdonald]

I use a 20Ah lithium battery. One of the cells recently went bad and was replace under warranty. The cell would self discharge in about three days. Internal short. Other than that it's been great.

[donradcliffe]

I'm pretty sure that one of Brooklin Boatyard's Joel White designs burned to the waterline due to a battery problem, but the details were never available. The boat had been a regular at Antigua Classic race week.