| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
Figured I'd start a new thread. Interesting read: http://emotomag.com/energica-cto-clarifies-tech-af ter-jerez-motoe-fire/ | ||
| Fresnobuell |
That's just a CYA to try to salvage this literal and marketing disaster for Energetica. Until they come clean with the details of the cause of the fire (other than "short circuit"), the rest is kind of meaningless deflection. Sure, Mr. CTO your products are so safe that an entire paddock went up in flames even though nothing was supposedly charging. | ||
| Jaimec |
The problem was a short in the high-capacity charger. I'm not sure if that is an Energica part or not. None of the bikes were actively plugged in and charging at the time of the fire. It would be like a gas pump exploding in a gas station. Can't blame any of the cars that just happened to be parked there at the time unless one of those cars slammed into the pump... (Message edited by jaimec on March 21, 2019) | ||
| Fresnobuell |
How does a charger that is not charging cause a fire? I don't get it. Do these chargers store energy themselves? | ||
| Jaimec |
I am not familiar with the technology used in MotoE so this is pure speculation: The way I understand it, the series is supposed to be as "Green" as possible and the bikes were to be charged with purely renewable resources (Solar?). Since there is only so much sunlight available per day, the panels would charge a high capacity battery when sunlight was available (think Tesla's "PowerWall"). It is this battery that is used to charge the bikes. Since this happened before sunrise, however, I'm not entirely sure how it could've shorted out unless there was a substandard circuit in an "always on" component? | ||
| Pwnzor |
Something stinks about this. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I find it interesting that they could even find the "cause" of the fire in that inferno. Something does seem off with this whole thing. I know even the high discharge Lipo batteries i have for my RC toys have plenty of reports of thermal runaway fires (so much so that one is advised to charge them in a fireproof bag,) so I am having a hard time believing the cause wasn't a battery somehow, someway. Of course, arson is a possibility as well. Anyone remember the cell phone batteries that were catching fire a while back? | ||
| Jaimec |
Harlan: It WAS a battery. Just not one of the ones in the bikes. | ||
| Jaimec |
The first race will take place in Germany. There are now two double-headers on the calendar as well so they will still have the planned six races this year. More info here: https://www.crash.net/motogp/news/916089/1/motoe-r eveals-revised-2019-calendar | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Oh, I now see your theory on how it happened and that would make lot more sense. You have confirmation that this is indeed the cause? I googled it and nothing that I can see..... | ||
| Jaimec |
Can't find the article, but I remember reading "a short in the high capacity charger ignited the high capacity storage battery..." somewhere. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
So the cause was the solar charger for the storage battery that would charge the bikes? I thought this happened overnight. Maybe I don't understand what a high capacity charger is and I definitely don't understand how they would be able to determine the cause. They must be really smart. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Sounds like it's time to ban solar power. | ||
| Jaimec |
Well they determined HOW the fire started, but the police are still investigating WHY the fire started. It does seem a bit suspicious. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
In all that crispy fried equipment, they were able to determine that a short in a charger caused the fire. That's interesting. Smart folks. | ||
| Jaimec |
There are apparently still a few bugs in the system. https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/145322/motoe -suffers-another-firerelated-incident | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Interesting collection of racers they have in Moto E. Definitely a bunch of names form the past...including Sete Gibernau. He's "only" 46 years old, but hasn't been on the scene in ages. Must have retired early. He finished 5th or 6th. | ||
| Jaimec |
That was an interesting race. None of the riders had ANY opportunity to test in the wet, and it was the first time they got to ride those heavy bikes on the Michelin rain tires. Interesting to see who was too cautious, too reckless, and those who played it just right. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I happened to turn it on just as they were entering the first corner. I watched it because of what you stated--no wet practice and heavy ass bikes....and it was only 5 laps so they weren't going to hold back. | ||
| Jaimec |
I know! It's the PERFECT series for our ADHD generation. It doesn't last long enough to become a procession. Everybody is fighting tooth and nail for position the whole race BECAUSE it is so short. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Are all of the races going to be 5 laps? I wasn't sure if it was shortened because of the conditions. How do the 4 wheel race fans sit thru 2-3 hour races with everyone going around in circles!?!?!? | ||
| Tpehak |
That's why I like only destruction derby races. | ||
| Jaimec |
It depends on the length of the track. The previous round was supposed to be eight laps, but was shortened due to a red flag when one of the competitors ran off the track and his bike torpedoed and deflated the air fence. The idea is the bikes should be able to run at full power for the length of the race. Battery conservation should NOT be one of the things the rider has to be concerned about. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I hope no one get shocked badly picking up a damaged bike or anything like that. Electricity is scary. Also, shows E bike racing has a ways to go. (Message edited by fresnobuell on August 13, 2019) | ||
| Pwnzor |
The more I look at it, the more it seems to just be a novelty with a lot of unnecessary risks associated with it. Until the batteries can be made safe in a crash situation, I really don't think it's something we should be doing. When I crash one of my R/C cars, I have to be especially careful removing the LiPO battery because the damn thing can explode like a grenade, spewing sticky burning chemicals in a 20 foot radius. My batteries weigh about half a pound. Imagine if one of these MotoE batteries decides to go off. | ||
| Jaimec |
In case you weren't aware, that was a primary consideration for Energica when they got involved with this project. | ||
| Jaimec |
Saturday's race should put everyone's mind at ease regarding the safety systems in these bikes. With all of those crashes, none of the bikes went up in flames. It does, however, make me wonder about the thought process involved in deciding that bikes THAT heavy and powerful should not have a warm-up lap before getting going... | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Are you sure they didn't get a warmup lap and it wasn't aired on TV or are they THAT concerned about the battery life? | ||
| Jaimec |
The announcers kept pointing out that there wasn't any warm up lap. Once they pulled the tire warmers off the bikes, they were off racing. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I saw the race but right when the lights went out so I must have missed those comments. Did they indicate the reason why? I would have to assume it's because of the battery life. |
