Lithium Batteries on hybrid boats - how dangerous is it?

[Fam1949]

I am considering buying a hybrid boat - for example a Greenline 40 hybrid. I have asked the producer about what type of batteries and safety measures they have and the answer is:

• Our batteries are 56V lithium polymer with each 13.3 kW.
• The cells come from Kokam which is a battery manufature in Korea.
• The final battery is build in Slovenia by us.
• The maximum current before overheating for our battery is 700A but we limited the BMS (battery management software) even to 300A.
• In the unlikely event of overheating each battery has a thermo sensor and the system will shut down.

This sounds reassuring.....or does anybody have feedbacks?
Thanks

 

[pvb]

I wouldn't worry about the batteries, the Greenline system seems to be well thought out. It is however, ruinously expensive!

 

[jwilson]

My main concern about big lithium batteries on boats is fire. With a portable VHF or mobile phone if it catches fire you can throw it overboard maybe holding it with a wet towel. If it explodes, and a very few lithium batteries occasionally do, it probably won't totally wreck or sink the boat. But if a big fitted propulsion battery catches fire or explodes .....? Unlike a car you can't stop on the side of the road and run away.

Much as I would love a sailing yacht with a near-silent and smooth electric inboard I'm not sure I'd buy one with lithium batteries and the present technology, even if I could afford it.

 

[oldharry]

Worth reading Wikipedia onelecrrric and hybrid car battery fires: they reckon the incidence is slightly less than corresponding petrol or diesel fires. It suggests thata properly designed and manufactured lithium battery should shut down befroe thermal runaway or electrical faults become dangerous.

It seems that the biggest fire danger is when a battery is pierced or badly dmaged in an accident, pverriding the inbult safety systems. However there is also a report of a battery fire following immersion in salt water. They dont explain how that happened, bu presumably the car went over the edge, then caugt fire after it was retrieved.

 

[GHA]

With a portable VHF or mobile phone if it catches fire .......

Very different chemistry to LiFePo4, no point comparing them really.

 

[pcatterall]

Are there dangers associated with small lithium battery devices. guests on our boat using the 12 volt system seem happy to plug into all sorts of chargers without understanding that different chargers on board output at different charging rates.

 

[pvb]

Are there dangers associated with small lithium battery devices. guests on our boat using the 12 volt system seem happy to plug into all sorts of chargers without understanding that different chargers on board output at different charging rates.

Does that actually matter? Our phones, iPads, iPods, Kindles, etc, all charge happily from whatever USB socket is available.