Let's back up a moment...
This conversation is spiraling into directions that simply aren’t supported by the original report, which itself has some problems. In the defense of actual LiFePo4 Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, and our good friends at EarthX (who are on the road and can’t respond), I ask everyone to consider the following:
1) The report said the battery was a Deltran 330 Lithium-ion Phosphate battery. The Deltran 330 is not a lithium battery. It’s constructed with lead calcium alloy and absorbed glass mat technology. By the way, this isn’t even an aircraft battery: It’s for motorcycles, go-carts, and the like.
http://products.batterytender.com/Batteries/12V-20Ah-330CCA-AGM-Engine-Start-Battery.html
2) For some reason, the report also discusses Lithium Ion Phosphate and Lithium Ion batteries. Folks, every “lithium” battery of every chemistry type is some sort of lithium ion battery, but which one? Saying you have a lithium battery is like simply saying you fly an airplane. There are so many different types on the market.
3) NOWHERE in the report do they mention the phrase “Lithium Iron Phosphate” or LiFePo4, or EarthX for that matter. How did that get into this discussion? The EarthX is a LiFePO4 battery, a state-of-the-art aircraft battery that is hugely trustworthy, even about to get FAA certification if it hasn’t happened already.
4) LiFePo4 batteries are like EVERY OTHER form of battery produced, including lead-based and NiCad batteries: If you overheat it, you’ll have some sort of thermal event. However, LiFePO4 batteries are not the type of “lithium ion batteries” that explode in our iPhones, vape Ecigs, or other newsworthy consumer items: Those are Lithium Cobalt Oxide (see? another ion). If overheated, LiFePo4 batteries can smoke A LOT, but they don’t explode, and certainly don’t shower the area with lead acid.
5) In addition, most anyone who has actually bought and installed an EarthX battery (or any other lithium type) will have read in the documentation that depleting the battery’s charge RUINS the battery. Then, continued attempts to charge it can induce this sort of thermal event. That’s why the EarthX has dual battery management system (BMS) computers that disconnect the battery internally at around 95% depletion, preventing this very sort of hazard while preserving the battery. Cheaper non-aviation non-EarthX lithium batteries don’t have this protection. You get what you paid for.
6) The report clearly describes a pilot/owner who had no idea what was on his aircraft, and just as clearly had brutally abused his battery and charging system. I hardly fault the poor Lead Calcium Alloy battery for the resulting fire, but I also acknowledge he probably would have had a similar event if he had flown a non-aviation lithium battery. No wonder he suffered this event. He’s lucky to be alive.
I urge y’all to go to EarthX’s site and read up:
https://earthxbatteries.com/ . I absolutely love my EarthX ETX900 battery. I have it mounted on the firewall forward, with EarthX’s thermal battery box and a scat blast tube carrying cool air from the engine baffle back wall (keeps it cool). Yes, my warning light is installed. It is a POWERFUL and dependable battery. I currently charge it inflight with a PlanePower internally-regulated alternator, but am switching to a B&C 60amp and external voltage regulator.
With all the cost-savings measures we RV builders try to employ, DO NOT SKIMP on your battery choice. For all the reasons discussed in this thread, be sure to select a real battery for real aviation purposes. Please look past the boogey man: EarthX LiFePo4 is a safe and solid choice if you install it right and treat it right.