Magicshine battery recall

Just received this from Geomangear RE magicshine battery lights.

To Our Valued Geomangear Customers,

Geomangear temporarily has stopped selling Magicshine lightsets due to our
concerns regarding the safety, quality, and performance of Magicshine's
lithium-ion battery packs sold by Geomangear between July 2009 and November
2010. We have determined that these Magicshine battery packs do not meet
Geomangear's high expectations regarding product safety, quality, and
performance. We have notified both the manufacturer of Magicshine lightsets
and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission that Geomangear
intends to voluntarily recall all Magicshine battery packs sold by
Geomangear.

We are actively working with the Safety Commission, outside engineering
consultants, and a new battery pack supplier to evaluate product recall
options for our customers. Geomangear will provide recall information and
instructions directly to our affected customers after our final corrective
action plan has been approved by the Safety Commission.

If you bought a Magicshine lightset from us between June 2009 and November
2010, please discontinue using your lightset until we are able to provide
you with an upgraded replacement battery pack. Despite our best efforts,
this process will take some time, and we ask for your patience. You can
rest assured that Geomangear has taken, and will continue to take,
appropriate steps to protect the safety of our customers, and we will stand
behind our products. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may
cause you and appreciate your continued loyalty and support during this
unprecedented situation our company is facing.

Thanks!!
Geoman
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inconvenience? nah, its not like its night riding season or anything. As long as they have replacements by… when do we set the clocks forward?

Hahaha that sucks.
A buddy of mine's caught on fire in the rain. And two other's I know of crapped out in the rain.
But, from what I've heard from it's only a waterproofing problem, not a setting-your-house-on-fire-while-charging problem.

Recieved email today too; sux :(

Hahaha that sucks.
A buddy of mine's caught on fire in the rain. And two other's I know of crapped out in the rain.
But, from what I've heard from it's only a waterproofing problem, not a setting-your-house-on-fire-while-charging problem.

Hope you're right!

Could be a shorting out problem. A whole bunch of laptop batteries have been recalled due to overheating. The odd one catches fire too if left on charge too long. Not the charging perse but the fact that the cells short out while being charged. I have had a few insurance claims where laptops burned tables and such. And one where a house fire resulted where the laptop was charging or while it was loading a program on a couch which covered the vents. A man died in that fire. I wonder if it's safe to carry my headlamp battery in my back jersey pocket.

^^ well at least you'd feel it heating up in your pocket, no?

Guess those cheap lights are not such a great deal.

The $90 light from China was too good to be true.

Hey Dean, a little bit of online research tells me the Dinotte batteries do work with MS heads.

I have yet to receive the email, but this is bummer news because I've not even used my lights yet! I'm guessing Geoman will send out new batteries when they can get them, but in the meantime I'm going to be tempted to use mine anyway :(

The batteries are standard 7.2 volts , anything in 7.2 volts will work. You can rig up 6 AA Ni-Mh rechargable with holders for the moment if you have those batteries lying around (but the runtime will be halved) until the replacement comes in.

Excuse my total ignorance on batteries but if the issue is waterproofing couldn't you just pop it in one of those waterproof MEC zip-lock baggies while you're riding in the rain? You'd have to use some tape or whatever where the cable comes out of the bag but if it's in your pack it's not as if it's going to get submerged in water (burst Camelbak notwithstanding).

There were also people dipping their battery packs in liquid rubber to waterproof them.

I doubt it is a waterproofing issue. Probably bad cells that can short out and overheat. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmd72_laptop-battery-fire_news
The problem with the cells that were the subject of numerous recalls is thin inter cell walls combined with the inevitable crystals that were able to penetrate the interior cell walls and short out the battery causing heat. The heat would cause the cell to vent electrolyte which is flammable and there you go. The problem is very real but overblown when you consider how many laptops that are out there.

any battery company should be able to rig up a new battery for you. Our local guy can easily get rechargable batteries to replace.

I have a magicshine as well… apparently these guys are the bomb BuyaBattery.com and can rig you something that works. Will check it out.