OH CRAP! Bet you never had this happen before!

[Azca]

Well, it is a time for firsts, at least for me anyway.

The Mrs. was out shopping and came home about 45 minutes ago. She comes bouncing in the house saying "There is smoke coming out of the Land Cruiser!".
Needless to say it is my baby and I drop everything and run out to the driveway. Sure enough, the cab is full of smoke! I hurriedly run back into the house and get the keys, open it up and pop the hood thinking I need to disconnect the battery. I also open the back hatch and run around to the passenger side and open it up and .... THE SEAT IS ON FIRE! Well HEAVY smoke anyway.

I left my Antigravity Micro-Start on my seat after jump starting it on Friday and it exploded. I yank it out and immediately solder is dropping out of it. Yep, hot enough to melt solder is probably hot enough to start a fire. It is hot, I quickly get water and put out the seat then commence to put out/cool off the jump starter kit. Both literally have steam coming off of them.

Thankfully the Mrs. was out shopping otherwise we never would have noticed it. I normally park the rig in the garage but was hauling a trailer on and off this week and just left it in the driveway.

Yes, it was hot today, 107. The windows were cracked but I would not be surprised if it was over 130 in the cab.

To make matters worse, I just put new leather seat covers on this thing less than a month ago! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn!

Well, the carnage photos.

 

[Tools R Us]

Nice carnage!

 

[allan man]

Man o man glad you put it out on time could have been worse!
What brand seat covers are those? They look factory.

 

[Azca]

They were Lseats. For the money, I don't think you can beat them but, they can be burned! AHHH HAA Ha ha

 

[CaptClose]

I’m crying man. That blows.

 

[Azca]

Now I have to figure out what to do with it. I have no idea how long it was smoldering in there and not sure how to get the odor out or, if it is possible without replacing the interior. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[sunrk]

Glad you got it before that turned into a complete vehicle fire.

Shows that lithium batteries are very, very evil things. I have never liked those portable jump starters about as much as I hate Airhawk and Airdragon which are both an absolute con sham product. Jump starters can be really great but I wouldn't recommend keeping one in a bag under a seat, particularly if the seats are heated, or in your case a very hot day so if the outside temp was 100+ F that's almost 40 C (regular Aus summer temp) so inside the vehicle if locked up the temp would have been 150+ F (so around 60 to 70 C).

Lithium batteries should *never* be stored at high temps.

Lucky all you really need is a replacement seat and you'll be good to go.

 

[GBinAZ]

Thank God you were parked outside and your wife saw the smoke.


I would think your insurance might cover the repair, minus the deductible, but this could be more hassle than its worth.


You need to ozone bomb your car to handle the smell. You can rent the machine from A-Z Equipment rental and get instructions from Youtube.


Really took care of pet smell in the GX470 I bought in February.

 

[GBinAZ]

They were Lseats. For the money, I don't think you can beat them but, they can be burned! AHHH HAA Ha ha

Which color did you chose from Lseat ?

 

[LINUS]

I’d at least send those pics to the company.

Not from a litigation POV, but to make them aware of what is possible.

I forget if it’s L-ion or L-po batteries, but my Dad flies model airplanes & they charge batteries in a metal “blast box” (old ammo cans) - because they do get crazy hot & some do blow open on the seams. Really commonplace when the batteries are old or real low (forget which).

Airlines are seeing smoking batteries in luggage compartments regularly now, talk of banning bringing those charge cells on planes was last I’d heard.

 

[MoJ]

Unless you ignored the instructions and subsequent disclaimer, the jump starter manufacturer should reimburse you. Oh and why title a thread so generically?

 

[bwesty]

In terms of how many people use those types of battery jumpers these day this should be a good reminder and be aware post. Fortunately the damage was kept to a minimum.

In terms of getting rid of the smell, consider using a fogging machine combined with a product called Smell Zapper Smoke odor remover. Use a very small concentration on the first go round and see if that works. Be careful not to over concentrate to avoid residue.

Thanks for sharing this experience.

 

[Fj81]

Dam I leave my Noco Genius in my Landcruiser maybe I should stop doing that.

 

[medtro]

Sorry to see this happened to your LX. Glad you got it under control.

 

[HARDGEAR]

@Azca. Ozone generator. Link for your interest, odor removal machine. These work.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JAP733...t=&hvlocphy=9020398&hvtargid=pla-349151588534

 

[inkpot]

Now I have to figure out what to do with it. I have no idea how long it was smoldering in there and not sure how to get the odor out or, if it is possible without replacing the interior. Does anyone have any ideas?

A couple o bottles of FreeBreeze will do wonders for clearing the odors

 

[george_tlc]

Yeah, li-ion/poly/whatever store a lot of energy in a small and compact volume. As neat as the idea is, they really are potential bombs. In a vehicle with summer temperatures it really is a bit of a worry. I'd definitely contact the company - IF they are a standup company they should do something to address your damage.

I'll stick to an old fashion sla/agm etc in the engine bay mounted as the factory expected.

Real sorry to see the damage and as others have stated, really lucky that your wife spotted it before things got seriously bad.

When I read you used water to put out the problem I was cringing until read that you used water on the seat to put it out - that is fine. NEVER put water on a burning li-ion cell/pack - best to just toss it onto concrete/street/dirt and let it run its course.

cheers,
george.

 

[MANUCHAO]

So, i read this and decided to check on mine... just cause.....
I found this. ...

It's ballooned, and had this funky smell of burnt...... stored in between my 60 during long trips and in the garage....

It's sitting (and staying there) in the middle of the patio....

Thank you for posting this.... scary..... crap

 

[shocktower]

I’d at least send those pics to the company.

Not from a litigation POV, but to make them aware of what is possible.

I forget if it’s L-ion or L-po batteries, but my Dad flies model airplanes & they charge batteries in a metal “blast box” (old ammo cans) - because they do get crazy hot & some do blow open on the seams. Really commonplace when the batteries are old or real low (forget which).

Airlines are seeing smoking batteries in luggage compartments regularly now, talk of banning bringing those charge cells on planes was last I’d heard.

Li-Po batteries, Oh and now you can get rid of the smell by parting it out or selling it

 

[Oscar Witte]

I’d at least send those pics to the company.

Not from a litigation POV, but to make them aware of what is possible.

I forget if it’s L-ion or L-po batteries, but my Dad flies model airplanes & they charge batteries in a metal “blast box” (old ammo cans) - because they do get crazy hot & some do blow open on the seams. Really commonplace when the batteries are old or real low (forget which).

Airlines are seeing smoking batteries in luggage compartments regularly now, talk of banning bringing those charge cells on planes was last I’d heard.

LiPo