[h=3]Liquivision Battery Recall is Now OPTIONAL.[/h]
NEW EVIDENCE
Liquivision has received additional information about the exact context of the incidents involving the explosion of rechargeable batteries and chargers.
Every explosion incident involved customers charging:
a BLUE, disposable, ONE-use battery (ER 17335M) together with
a GREEN, rechargeable, MULTI-use battery (ICR 16340)
The picture below clearly shows how the BLUE battery has exploded, while the GREEN battery is still whole, although a bit burned and damaged from the neighbouring explosion. You can also see that the charger is damaged on the side where the BLUE battery was charged and then exploded:
CONCLUSIONS
1) Charging a disposable BLUE ER17335M battery will ALWAYS result in an explosion. Customers should NEVER charge a BLUE ER17335M disposable battery. This is marked on the battery, on our website and in our user manual.
2) Liquivision now deems that the GREEN ICR 16340 rechargeable batteries and chargers are safe for continued use, as long as they are used properly (i.e. ONLY GREEN ICR 16340 rechargeable batteries are recharged).
Next Steps For Customers
Customers who have filed claims with Liquivision for a replacement of their GREEN ICR 16340 batteries and Power-Plus chargers will have their claims honoured, unless they email us to cancel their request.
Customers who still feel concerned about the GREEN ICR 16340 batteries and Power-Plus chargers may file a claim until April 30, 2013.
Next Steps For Liquivision
Since the safety of our customers was a primary consideration, Liquivision discontinued sales of GREEN ICR 16340 Lithium-Ion (Cobalt) batteries and Power-Plus chargers prior to obtaining full evidence about the causes of the explosions. As we researched alternative battery options, we identified Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) rechargeable batteries and chargers as an even better solution. Research shows LiFePo4 chemistry to be even more stable than Li-Ion (Cobalt):
Lithium iron phosphate battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Additionally, while the LiFePo4 rechargeable batteries offer slightly lower dive time than the lithium-ion (cobalt) ones, they are capable of more charge cycles. For this reason, we will proceed with LiFePo4 batteries as our rechargeable batteries of choice.
IMPORTANT: the new LiFePo4 rechargeable batteries must be charged in a LiFePo4 charger. The GREEN ICR 16340 Lithium-Ion (Cobalt) batteries must be charged in a Lithium-Ion (Cobalt) charger, such as the Power-Plus M123A charger they shipped with. Do NOT mix the battery chemistries/chargers as this could damage battery performance.
Margaret Malewski
CEO Liquivision Products, Inc
