[N8 v2.0]

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2006
Release #07-008

Light & Motion Recall Hotline: (831) 645-1538
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Light & Motion Recalls Bicycle Light Batteries for Fire and Burn Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturers named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: ARC Lithium Ion Bicycle Light Batteries

Units: About 1,700

Light Manufacturer/Battery Reseller: Light & Motion, of Monterey,
Calif.

Battery Manufacturer: GP Batteries International Ltd., of Singapore

Battery Importer: Gold Peak Industries (North America), Inc. of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: The battery can overheat, posing a fire or burn hazard to users.

Incidents/Injuries: No incidents or injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled batteries are found in Light & Motion 2004 ARC Li-Ion HID lighting systems. The lights are black with "ARC" and "LIGHT & MOTION" written in yellow letters. The recall includes only batteries with a manufacturer date code of 1003 or 1103. The date code is stamped on the bottom of the battery and "LIGHT & MOTION" is printed on the side of the battery.

Sold at: Authorized bicycle dealers nationwide from November 2003 through October 2004 for about $500.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the lights immediately and return the battery to Light & Motion for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: Call Light & Motion collect at (831) 645-1538 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or log on to the company's Web site at http://www.bikelights.com/Support/liion.htm

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07008.html

 

[Westy]

Two Li-ion batteries blew up at the charging station of an 18 hour race I was at earlier this year. One of the riders suffered some pretty nasty burns on his chest.

 

[OGRipper]

Jeebus. Thanks for posting this.

 

[brungeman]

Two Li-ion batteries blew up at the charging station of an 18 hour race I was at earlier this year. One of the riders suffered some pretty nasty burns on his chest.

yep they burn hotter than hell!

 

[loco-gringo]

Thanks N8. I sent this to a friend that bought his light in 04, best I recall.

 

[syadasti]

Do they use Sony lion cells to make the GP batteries

 

[splat]

Hmmmm where is Rob"the battery man"damanii, when he was telling me that LI-Ion cells have no issues with heat.

 

[loco-gringo]

Hmmmm where is Rob"the battery man"damanii, when he was telling me that LI-Ion cells have no issues with heat.

Ouch.

 

[Rockland]

Uh-oh. I have this battery. Used it last night in fact. I'll have to check those numbers tonight.

 

[robdamanii]

Hmmmm where is Rob"the battery man"damanii, when he was telling me that LI-Ion cells have no issues with heat.

Damnit splat, I said they have no issues OPERATING IN THE HEAT! If you have a failure of a BMS or a protection circuit (which I'm assuming they're running cells in parallel, which necessitates use of a protection circuit) you can have one cell overcharging while another cell in the battery undercharges. This is somewhat common if you have a faulty cell with bad chemistry. One cell with bad chemistry will have a max voltage lower than the others, and the protection system doesn't see it, overcharges the other cells, and BOOM. Overcharging a Li+ cell will blow it up, without a doubt.

 

[DRB]

speaking of lights.... this is going to tailspin bluebug into a light researching frenzy AGAIN

 

[robdamanii]

speaking of lights.... this is going to tailspin bluebug into a light researching frenzy AGAIN

She already bought the ARC with NiMH pack.

 

[syadasti]

speaking of lights.... this is going to tailspin bluebug into a light researching frenzy AGAIN

35 watt IRC Halogen with 6.6 Ah 14.8V lion battery and digital control module, does about 750 lumens

 

[Mike B.]

Retraction: Light & Motion Not Recalling Bike Light Batteries

OCTOBER 20, 2006 -- MONTEREY, CA (BRAIN)—Reports that Light & Motion is recalling 1,700 ARC lithium ion bike light batteries are erroneous, said a representative of the company.

On Wednesday, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News published on its Web site news that Light & Motion, in cooperation with the CPSC, was issuing a recall for 2004 ARC lithium ion HID lighting systems due to a fire risk.

The error occurred because the CPSC inadvertently re-announced a recall from two years ago.

We regret the error and any confusion it may have caused.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

So BRIN recalled the recall...

 

[BigMike]

Retraction: Light & Motion Not Recalling Bike Light Batteries

OCTOBER 20, 2006 -- MONTEREY, CA (BRAIN)—Reports that Light & Motion is recalling 1,700 ARC lithium ion bike light batteries are erroneous, said a representative of the company.

On Wednesday, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News published on its Web site news that Light & Motion, in cooperation with the CPSC, was issuing a recall for 2004 ARC lithium ion HID lighting systems due to a fire risk.

The error occurred because the CPSC inadvertently re-announced a recall from two years ago.

We regret the error and any confusion it may have caused.

US Gov't at its finest!