Source-12 Battery Packs (Used by Scuba Divers)
CPSC Recall #97-033 - November 26, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 97-033 |
| Recall Date | November 26, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | New Instructions, Repair |
| Units Affected | About 2,800 |
Where It Was Sold
| Dive shops sold the Source-12 Battery Packs nationwide beginning in January 1990 for about $275. LMI also sold the packs directly to consumers. |
Product
Source-12 Battery Packs (Used by Scuba Divers)
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Light & Motion Industries (LMI) of Monterey, Calif., is implementing a voluntary safety program for about 2,800 Source-12 Battery Packs used by scuba divers to power under water lighting systems. If the battery pack floods during the dive, the battery could overheat later while above water and catch fire. LMI has received two reports of Source-12 Battery Packs catching on fire several hours after use. No injuries have been reported. If consumers notice the battery has flooded during a dive, they should disassemble the battery's retaining ring and bulkhead to prevent a possible fire. The battery packs, measuring 7 inches long by 4 inches wide, are black with a clear top. This corrective action involves Source-12 Battery Packs with the following model numbers: 800-0008 850-0001 through 850-0011 850-0013 and 850-0014 860-0001 through 860-0006 860-0008 860-0018 through 860-0031 Dive shops sold the Source-12 Battery Packs nationwide beginning in January 1990 for about $275. LMI also sold the packs directly to consumers. Consumers should stop using the Source-12 Battery Packs immediately and call LMI for free repair or upgrade information. Consumers can also return the batteries to the dive shop where purchased and the batteries will be sent to LMI. Consumers can reach LMI collect at (831) 645-1525 or [email protected] for more information.
Hazard
If the battery pack floods during the dive, the battery could overheat later while above water and catch fire.
Incidents & Injuries
LMI has received two reports of Source-12 Battery Packs catching on fire several hours after use. No injuries have been reported. If consumers notice the battery has flooded during a dive, they should disassemble the battery's retaining ring and bulkhead to prevent a possible fire.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the Source-12 Battery Packs immediately and call LMI for free repair or upgrade information. Consumers can also return the batteries to the dive shop where purchased and the batteries will be sent to LMI.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions, 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 (New Instructions, 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.