Battery Chargers

CPSC Recall #02-250 — September 11, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-250
Recall DateSeptember 11, 2002
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 200

Where It Was Sold

Specialty product dealers sold these chargers nationwide from January 2001 to June 2002 for between $220 and $260.

Product

Battery Chargers

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Chargetek Inc., of Oxnard, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 200 CT-2000 battery chargers used with recreational vehicles, such as boats. A manufacturing defect inside the charger can cause overheating of internal connections or external wiring, presenting a fire hazard.Chargetek has received three reports of fires involving the CT- 2000. The fires were contained to the charger with minor soot damage to nearby materials. No injuries have been reported.The chargers were made in the USA and the words "Chargetek CT2000" are printed across the front of the charger's black housing. Indicator lights for charge mode, battery polarity and charge current are also located on the front. Wires for the AC power and three batteries extend from the bottom of the unit. Only models with a serial number in the range of 030260 to 030603 and/or a day code between "Jan 01 2001" and "June 30 2002" are included in the recall. The serial number is written on the top of the charger and the day code is stamped on the bottom.Specialty product dealers sold these chargers nationwide from January 2001 to June 2002 for between $220 and $260.Consumers should stop using and disconnect the AC power and the batteries from the chargers immediately. To arrange for a free replacement, consumers should contact Chargetek at (888) 453-4135 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. For more information, consumers can visit the firm's web site at www.chargetek.com 

Hazard

A manufacturing defect inside the charger can cause overheating of internal connections or external wiring, presenting a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

Chargetek has received three reports of fires involving the CT- 2000. The fires were contained to the charger with minor soot damage to nearby materials. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using and disconnect the AC power and the batteries from the chargers immediately. To arrange for a free replacement, consumers should contact Chargetek.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace 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 (Replace) 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.