Cable Connectors Of Outdoor Light Power Packs
CPSC Recall #93008 - October 26, 1992
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 93008 |
| Recall Date | October 26, 1992 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | Approximately 25,000 |
Product
Cable Connectors Of Outdoor Light Power Packs
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, the Toro Company of Bloomington, MN today announced a repair program for the cable connectors of approximately 25,000 Toro and Lunalite brand outdoor lighting system 12-volt power packs. Toro found that corrosion of these cable connectors could cause overheating and melting of the wire insulation, possibly resulting in a short circuit and a fire if combustible materials were nearby. Toro informed CPSC of 26 overheating or fire incidents that were reported to the company by April 1992. None of these reported incidents resulted in injury. The repair program includes the following nine Toro replacement power pack models distributed since January 1988: 118-48, 118-DT, 118-IR, 160-IR, 52945, 52998, 52999, 52925, and 52927. Toro original equipment is not affected. Also involved are certain Lunalite original power packs rated at 108 or 118 watts distributed in 1986 and 1987. These Lunalite power packs have a wiring connector located between the power pack and the first light. The Toro and Lunalite brand power packs were sold nationwide by a variety of retailers and Toro for $35 to $45. Each power pack is designed to be installed on the outside wall of a house or garage near an electrical receptacle. The cable and one or more cable connectors for the outdoor lights are located below the power pack and on the ground. Owners can identify potentially defective cable connectors by checking the back of the Toro replacement power pack for one of the above listed model numbers, or for the Lunalite brand name on the front of the original power pack with the 108 or 118 watt rating on the back and a wiring connector between the power pack and the first light. Consumers with affected units should call Toro at 1-800-321-8676. Toro will send owners installation instructions and a repair kit. For questions about installation, owners may call Toro at 1-612-887-7399. Owners should disregard this notice if they have already replaced their cable connectors with a Toro repair kit. CPSC is announcing this repair program as part of its mission to protect the public from the unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.5 million injuries and 21,600 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.
Hazard
Corrosion of the cable connectors could cause overheating and melting of the wire insulation, possibly resulting in a short-circuit and fire.
Incidents & Injuries
Toro informed CPSC of 26 overheating or fire incidents that were reported to the company by April 1992. None of these reported incidents resulted in injury.
Remedy Instructions
Toro is offering owners of affected products a repair kit. For more information, call 1-800-321-8676.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident, they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.