APU batteries caused my truck to burn down

[-]

FireStar_Trucking_01@reddit

That sucks man, wild the glock survived though. Still functions like it should?

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

Yup, it holds a mag like it should and cycles rounds like it should, but i’m super scared to shoot it. I might rig it to a tree or something and fire it with a string when I have the time

[-]

Cardinal_350@reddit

My boss figured out he spent more on maintenance for APU's in the lifetime of a truck than he saved on fuel. On top of that they add 0 dollars on resale

[-]

yes-disappointment@reddit

why not a smart pack running off 4 truck batteries. for a/c and a espar diesel heater for heat in the winter. pretty cheap unit compared to a apu. been running that combo for years.

[-]

FireStar_Trucking_01@reddit

That's whay my dad suggested I do to not idle my T6 too much, never got around to it though.

[-]

lildobe@reddit

Because, as OP's post here suggests, a Lithium battery fire is not fun.

[-]

FireStar_Trucking_01@reddit

They make lithium semi truck batteries?

[-]

This is what I’ve always thought. I’ve had nothing but problems with them in my experience. I bet they only see fuel savings in mega fleets, just like those aero kits and super singles only make the difference in fuel savings for mega fleets compared to small fleets or o/o’s. At least in my observation

[-]

arrynyo@reddit

A super single blowing up causes more damage than the cost of 1 tire. I was hauling corn syrup and had one of the rear singles blow. Took out the hydraulic fluid lines for the pump, and fairing over the wheels, and the mud flap and lights. I believe they said it was over $6k in damage to the trailer.

[-]

bobmonkeyclown@reddit

Its fuel and wear on the motor (moreso on the emissions side). Not just fuel.

This also depends on how long you keep the truck.

[-]

csimonson@reddit

I can see that depending on where you drive. An EPU like this truck was you can put together yourself for $1500-$2000

[-]

Spam_Frittering@reddit

Hope he doesn't bitch about idle time then.

[-]

Row30@reddit

Guess things have changed since my 2021 Freightliner with APU. The only batteries were on the tractor, the APU didn’t have its own batteries.

Glad you’re ok

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

I’ve learned it’s called an EPU now

[-]

BronzeskinWoolyhair@reddit

what made you aware that the truck was on fire?

[-]

RoseKlingel@reddit

Glad everyone is safe, what a nightmare!

[-]

generalfrieght@reddit

Damn

[-]

MegaDuck71@reddit

Either way props to you. Were you bobtailing back to your trailer or did you disconnect with a fire?

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

I was connected but disconnected quickly after the 4th extinguisher didn’t put out the fire

[-]

MegaDuck71@reddit

A gentleman and a scholar. Well done. I see the mud flaps. Was that a Mack or a Volvo? Figure they might have thrown those on at a dealership on service even if it was a Volvo.

[-]

MegaDuck71@reddit

It was a Volvo. Just looked at the inflames pic. My bad.

[-]

mfdoom773@reddit

I hope you still delivered that load

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

A yard dog ended up delivering it for me

[-]

yes-disappointment@reddit

could be worse at least you didn't burn down 9 fellow owner op trucks down over a 4th of July weekend.

https://imgur.com/a/UPU1YNu

[-]

Lopsided_Beautiful_1@reddit

Damn, where that happened at, that’s looks from the Miami area to me.

[-]

yes-disappointment@reddit

Nj

[-]

Violet_Apathy@reddit

That's terrifying. What kind of apu?

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

Volvos integrated electric APU

[-]

mr_potatoface@reddit

Do you know what kind of battery they use, or did you swap it out at some point? LifePo4 are generally fire safe and considered incombustible. I looked up Volvo's APU and it just says they use standard Lead Acid AGM batteries. Shouldn't cause trouble either.

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

No idea but I can ask. My alternator did go out the week before and the truck died on me, had to call roadside to bring 4 new batteries for under the driver side steps to get to a shop a couple miles down the road, i’m wondering of that had anything to do with the EPU batteries combusting

[-]

DavidSpy@reddit

I’m not familiar with Volvo but with Freightliner and their Park Smart EPU whenever the main engine batteries failed the load test I’d check the ones for the EPU too because there’s a good chance a couple of them are bad also

[-]

No-Term-1979@reddit

Very good chance those are all related. Especially if the EPU batteries are charged by the truck.

[-]

xenodine@reddit

Sounds like one if the batteries had an internal short. Lucky he got out with only the truck burning down.

[-]

csimonson@reddit

They are. The Volvo factory stuff stuffs a 320a alternator on to charge the 8 total batteries.

[-]

No-Term-1979@reddit

320Amps alternator? Does the idle dip a little at full load?

[-]

csimonson@reddit

No clue. I don't have one. I've looked into it though. It's like $950 for that alternator through Volvo.

[-]

Socketz11@reddit

Congratulations, you figured out the only way to make money in truck ownership right now. A insurance check! Glad you guys are all ok.

[-]

SecureThruObscure@reddit

Yeah for sure funny but not funny.

This guys insurance agent’s lawyer is more likely than not to find this, and they may be ethically obligated to use your comment (and the defense attorney obligated to use mine) in order to illustrate the probability of arson.

I’m not trying to sound like a jerk but I would bet a lot the instance adjuster will see this reddit threat through tineye or some other reverse image search.

[-]

Socketz11@reddit

This comment was way funnier than mine. He is going to reverse search all fires, find your truck, and locate my 3rd party comment.

[-]

SecureThruObscure@reddit

No, it’s just that most likely the guy is going to use the same pictures (or close enough pictures) when he does his insurance report to show up on tineye, and reverse image search for social media is common enough these days.

It sounds crazy but it definitely happens. Maybe not every time, but often enough to be joke worthy.

[-]

FWD_to_twin_turbo@reddit

They are LEGALLY obligated to go by the fire Marshall's report btw, and fire departments are pretty well versed in determining the cause of a fire.

If a report says the fire originated inside the APU battery and there is no case for sabotage, and there is no clause excluding it, their only 2 options are to pay the claim or get sued.

A comment or insinuation by an anonymous third party can not supercedede a Fire Marshall's report and does not hold legal weight.

Stop spreading misinformation.

[-]

SecureThruObscure@reddit

I wasn’t aware they’re legally obligated to go by the fire Marshall’s report, that’s pretty good to know. Is that federal or limited to specific jurisdictions?

I’ve been tangentially involved with one arson case, not as the victim or offender so again tangential, and I don’t think that was how it went down… but it wasn’t related to trucking in any way, I wasn’t first party, and I could just be wrong.

[-]

FWD_to_twin_turbo@reddit

Sorry for being overzealous, i just get really passionate about someone knowing their rights in that scenario.

They can challenge the report and even get their own fire investigator to do so. They usually do that on the more complicated ones, but if the investigator and the Marshall's report differ in a way not favorable towards you and you are dissatisfied, you have grounds to sue.

The Marshall's report will carry more weight in most jurisdictions because it includes testimonies or first responders at the scene, while a 3rd party investigator may not be privy to that information.

I am not familiar with the legalities when it comes to an arson case, specifically, though. I only know about standard motor vehicle claims.

[-]

SecureThruObscure@reddit

I get being overzealous, and no harm no foul. No one here has any skin in the game.

The way I look at it, every case exists in a sort of quantum no one knows state until it’s resolved.

If this case is anything but a super simple one, there will probably a lawyer and investigator involved (it’s unlikely, because there doesn’t appear to be a freight loss here, only the truck), and at that point everything is in the realm of the attorneys use to try to mitigate their clients responsibility. Everything short of outright ethical violations.

I’m not saying that’s this case, but saying outright “if the fire marshal says it, it’s how it works” isn’t my understanding, and if we get to the point lawyers are involved… I think my reply is applicable.

[-]

cadaverously@reddit

That’s just not how truck insurance works. Total physdam losses like this happen all the time. A tire catches on fire, brakes got stuck on and catches fire, cargo insights, etc.

If this was the second total loss claim with the same insurer in the last 5 years MAYBE it would get flagged.

The coverage attorneys are working on complex liability cases with hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line, or on deciding if a loss is covered - “does this truck meet the requirements of the coverage based on the symbol codes on the policy? Is this a covered peril? ”

Also, insure is all state by state. It’s not really federal regulated in this way. It’s regulated federally in so much that trucking Companies must file their liability insurance coverage with the government - so the public can look up such fillings.

[-]

SecureThruObscure@reddit

This feels like what I said, except confrontational.

I don’t know what to say, man. Yes. When things are simple they’re simple. But sometimes they’re not, and that’s what I was speaking to? I don’t know.

[-]

cadaverously@reddit

Yeah - it’s clear you have no clue how commercial insurance works but you’re talking about it like you do.

[-]

SecureThruObscure@reddit

I appreciate anyone who tries to help other pale understand better. I provided my experience and perspective, and I would of course be grateful for yours!

[-]

cadaverously@reddit

Bro. No, they are not. You have no idea how many fire claims we pay every year. The adjuster has way more things to do then figure out if this was on purpose or not - the report says the APU clauses it. Case closed.

He is going to pay when it comes to his insurance premiums.

[-]

SecureThruObscure@reddit

You have no idea how many fire claims we pay every year. The adjuster has way more things to do then figure out if this was on purpose or not - the report says the APU clauses it. Case closed.

I have a pretty good idea, actually.

I appreciate your perspective, but it seems to be “a bunch of shit happens so don’t worry about it” and that’s just not how I operate.

[-]

stephenforbes@reddit

New fear unlocked.

[-]

skaldrir69@reddit

That’s a crispy critter. Glad you got out!

[-]

Fordluver@reddit

Damn bro this makes me want to stop sleeping naked. Aww fuck it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[-]

PhysicalSpeech2074@reddit

You didn’t shoot the fire? You just let it burn your truck down??? Bro turn in your gun and get a pride flag immediately. Unreal. You really call yourself a man lol.

[-]

AdventurousLawyer646@reddit

Not saying that you did this, but idling the truck(can't help it when it's stupid hot I know) ends up swelling the batteries. You can smell the sulfur walking by. Just a heads up for next time. When you smell the sulfuric smell get your batteries checked, might have a bad plate in one or more.

[-]

RegularBlueberry7479@reddit

Glad you’re ok!

[-]

derekschroer@reddit

Oof, that really sucks...just curious which Walmart DC it was. Am a Walmart driver.

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

The one near Palestine Texas, DC 6036 if I recall correctly

[-]

TruckerAlurios@reddit

Yep seen one of our guys down there posted it

[-]

derekschroer@reddit

Oof, I've only been to that DC once, almost went there last week. Big bummer

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

If you ever go back there, let me know if the asphalt is still melted in the median before the guard shack

[-]

Healthy_Actuator_971@reddit

Myself and other drivers I know keep a go bag incase a fire ever happens …. I applaud you for trying to put the fire out…. As a company driver I’m grabbing my shit and running away from that thing

[-]

LonleyWolf420@reddit

Lol my go bag is throwing my shit out the door lol most of it's in totes or bags anyway

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

This is what we’re doing in our new truck in case it ever happens again, god forbid

[-]

Healthy_Actuator_971@reddit

What’s the eta on a replacement truck?

[-]

Savagemocha@reddit

I need one of those. But you can kiss my ps5 goodbye. My life ain’t worth it.

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

My ps5 died in there, along with my dignity All I had time to grab was phones, wallets, and a drawer of some of our clothes

[-]

Savagemocha@reddit

A moment of silence for your ps5. Glad you got your clothes though! And the dog of course

[-]

bobmonkeyclown@reddit

Even as an O/O I'm out. Your average fire extinguisher isn't gonna be good for battery fire.

[-]

Healthy_Actuator_971@reddit

Same I remember in truck driving school the instructor explained that the fiber glass is almost impossible the extinguish.

[-]

Flappybird11@reddit

Glad you're ok!

[-]

Savagemocha@reddit

What’s the probability of your truck catching on fire while your asleep and you not waking up?

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

Idk but I’d hate to find out

[-]

Metal-Alligator@reddit

Hey slap a new motor in there and you can be Darkside from Twisted Metal. Sorry, that looks really shitty but thankfully you got out.

[-]

derpmcturd@reddit

what a weird looking gvn, they've come a long way from dirty harrys magnum i guess.

[-]

Veryhappycommission@reddit

For others, not sure what OP had. But this almost happened to my uncle. Brand new motorhome, he retired and was going to spend all his time in his nice motorhome with his wife and travel with his grandkids.

He wanted to put solar on top. He said he watch Will Pro on YouTube and got some good Chinese batteries. I told him not to get Chinese batteries. He was always a penny wise pound foolish guy. I lived in China doing QC for many years. There are NEVER good Chinese batteries.

2 day of testing, he managed to get the batteries out before they burned down his rig. They never got to the point of exploding, but they swelled and smoked a lot. I use Battleborn for my van. Yes, they are expensive. But I think of that money as paying for my life so I don't end up a Chinese BBQ.

[-]

Malaca83@reddit

I heard you can keep lithium batteries in a fire proof container while using them? You seem to have some knowledge, can you confirm this?

[-]

Veryhappycommission@reddit

I heard that as well but I never used a box and don't know much about that. If the batteries explodes, a box won't help. Look up videos of Chinese electric cars or ebikes. Nothing will put out the fire. It explodes like a bomb, with small pressure waves and force. And the fire comes out with pressure, force.

I don't think a box will help.

[-]

Itchy-Apartment-Flea@reddit

Glock will survive anything.

[-]

Moist_Tortoise@reddit

Hey man, you can’t park there

[-]

starboy1592@reddit

I looked like it burnt Brite just kidding im sorry about your my dad's did when I was a kid he was miserable

[-]

MagTex@reddit

Oh yeah, that’ll buff out. Damn! The legend is true: those Glocks can survive anything. 😳 But in all seriousness I’m glad that you, your gf & dog are ok.

[-]

Merr77@reddit

Well you should show that to Glock. They might replace it for the advertising. That is nuts it survived.

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

This was their response

[-]

Merr77@reddit

That is ridiculous. I'd hop on that for advertisement if I owned glock or did marketing for them

[-]

Violet_Apathy@reddit

Considering the number of house and vehicle fires it's probably not a cost-effective marketing strategy. From their perspective that's what insurance is for. Of this was some kind of notable fire they might, but certainly not something they'd do often.

[-]

TossmySalad88@reddit

Yeah their response kinda reads like it happens all the time.

[-]

Merr77@reddit

True, I can see that. But damn that is amazing

[-]

cb_cooper@reddit

One of my brothers accidentally crashed his Cessna 182 into the side of a mountain a few years ago. Three things survived the crash: his nalgene water bottle, a freakin lemon, and his Glock (minus the front sight). Those things are durable, man. Crazy stuff. Glad ya'll are ok.

[-]

Carbon87@reddit

Holy Square Body Chevrolet still kicking (the fire department vehicle). That’s impressive!

Sorry about your truck though.

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

I cracked a smile when I saw them pull up with that

[-]

AspNSpanner@reddit

If you use ozone spry it should get the smell of smoke out

[-]

PaleRespect4875@reddit

Man you gotta close the windows first for that stuff to work.

[-]

pqitpa@reddit

I wonder if the glock still shoots

[-]

Efficient_Ostrich_54@reddit

What kind of APU was it?

[-]

Upstairs-Ad-1966@reddit

Lithium???

[-]

Big-Pound-5634@reddit

Volvo? And cool photos man!

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

Yessir was a 2019 760

[-]

MssMoodi@reddit

♥️🙏♥️🙏♥️

[-]

Salt_Upon_Wounds_@reddit

Is that supposed to happen

[-]

Juan_Rempel@reddit

Ghost rider, that's your handle from this day forward

[-]

DimensionalAxolotl@reddit

Looks like that fire burned pretty Brite.

Joking aside, glad that you and yours are unharmed

[-]

Dindu______Nuffin@reddit

Think you mean EPU. If you have homeowners/renters insurance it might be covered by your plan. Oddly enough it is considered home insurance not car insurance for your personal belongings in a truck

[-]

y33lmar@reddit (OP)

Thanks, first time i’ve dealt with EPUs, previous companies always had APUs. Luckily our company wrote us each a check after they had us itemize what we lost in the fire

[-]