RECALL: Geoman Gear / MAGIC SHINE Battery, STOP USING THIS BATTERY

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Thu, 11/18/2010 - 1:44pm

Rmarcus

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

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 or another recall remedy. 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.

Common FAQs:

1. What do I need to do to be included in the recall?
If you are a Geomangear customer you will receive a recall notice by postal mail as soon as we have a replacement battery pack available.
2. When will you have replacement batteries available?
We are currently working with a new battery manufacturer but we do not have a ETA yet.
3. What are the issues with the batteries?
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission has specific guidelines that we must follow. At this time, they do not allow us to discuss the battery issues.
4. What should I do with my battery now?
We recommend that you store them outside in a safe, protected place. Your recall notice will give more information.
5. I did not purchase my Magicshine light from Geomangear. What do I do?
You should contact the dealer where you purchased your light set. Unfortunately, we can only assist our customers.

Sat, 11/20/2010 - 12:46am

EJacobs

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

Where's the beef?

So what's the actual problem? I love my Magicshine, and absent any real facts may just continue to use it. Sounds like it may just be a bureaucracy thing with the US Safety Commission? I haven't been able to google any horror stories about exploding magicshines or anything. (I don't charge it unattended.) Though it does run pretty darn hot... I think it's probably more unsafe to ride in the city without sufficient lighting, and that the stock batteries are almost certainly safer than anything I could cobble together.
Does anyone have the scoop?

-Erica

Sun, 11/21/2010 - 12:59am

Rmarcus

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

From several forums here is

From several forums here is the basic scoop.
The batteries are found to not keep their charge or in somecase not work at all.
The older batteries were not waterproof. The actual recall has not happened
as of yet. My guess is that Geoman is covering their butt after many complaints.
Could they expolde and have they exploded, none that has been proven that I HAVE READ.
However, Geoman stopped selling them and has warned people to not use them.

There appears to be options for a battery.
One of them is the dinotte Li-IOn battery & charger which would be about $100.

Another is this one, plus charger.
http://www.batteryspace.com/li-ion18650batterywithwater-proofcoatingrubb...

I have shelved mine for now and unsure what I will do. I do have other light options however.

Thu, 12/02/2010 - 3:54pm

Rmarcus

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

Here is the Update from Magicshine, what happened

Geoman updates his recall info
i checked his website a few minutes ago and notice he has explained the problem with the batteries in more detail

# What are the issues with the batteries?
We have received three reports of the original Magicshine MJ-808/MJ-818 battery pack (i.e., the one that is shrink-wrapped and enclosed in a nylon-velcro sleeve) overheating and causing fires. The fires have resulted in some property damage, but thankfully none of the reported incidents involved any personal injuries. Although we have not received any reports of overheating or fires associated with the Magicshine battery pack that is enclosed in a metal container inserted into a fabric sleeve (included with MJ-816 lightsets and more recent MJ-808 lightsets), we have the same safety concerns about the battery packs in the metal containers. Our engineering consultants have determined that these two Magicshine battery packs raise potential safety and reliability concerns (e.g., the inclusion of different lithium-ion cell models within the same battery pack).

# Which battery packs are included in the recall?
All of the Magicshine battery packs that Geomangear sold between June 2009 and November 2010, including all battery packs sold with the MJ-808 and MJ-816 headlight sets and the MJ-818 taillight sets, are included in the recall. The MJ-808 and MJ-818 batteries are either shrink-wrapped and enclosed in a nylon-velcro case or enclosed in a metal canister inserted into a fabric sleeve. The MJ-816 batteries are all enclosed in the metal canister inserted into a fabric sleeve. Geomangear has not sold any of Magicshine's newest battery packs that are enclosed in a hard plastic case, and our engineers have not evaluated those new Magicshine battery packs that other retailers may be offering for sale. Thus, the newest Magicshine battery packs in the hard plastic case are not included in our recall.

# What should I do with my battery now?
If your battery has been discharged, we recommend that you store it outside in a safe, protected place away from combustible materials (e.g., on concrete). If your battery has been charged recently, we recommend that you connect your battery pack to the light/torch and operate the light until the battery has discharged its power. It is important that you stay close by to monitor the lightset while you are discharging the battery. After you have discharged the battery, store the battery outside in a safe, protected place away from combustible materials. Your recall notice will give more information about the return or disposal of the battery.

NOTE: If you are planning to discharge the battery then it has been suggested to ride with it until discharged This prevents overheating.
OR use a fan to keep it cool if you let it run indoors to discharge. OR perhaps leave it on your terrace and run it until it discharges.

Good Luck to all

Tue, 11/30/2010 - 9:31pm

BrianKoss

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Joined: Nov 30 2010

Magic Shine Battery

The danger comes in when you think you have a charged battery and you plug it in and it does not work. I love this light system and it has opened up my night riding options. But, over thanksgiving I rode 60 miles from palo alto ca to Watsonville through some fairly remote country. When I plugged the light in at 4:15 in the afternoon to get ready to go through a tree covered canyon (low light) there was not power in the battery and I had charged it the night before. I'm 20 miles from the nearest anything and have 1 hour to get out of the canyon. I finished the last 10 miles in the dark (no moon and farm country, It was DARK and Scarey). I would normally have been carrying a second light set but this was the first and only time I was without it because I was in a hurry getting out the door (my mistake) and it had worked flawless for the last 11 months. A great learning oppurtunity as I would say to my son. Fortunately everything turned out OK but when you are use to being seen it it very dangerous when you are not.

Have to lace that schmidt hub up that I have been to lazy to do because the Magic Shine worked so well.

Ride Safe!

NYCC.org

RECALL: Geoman Gear / MAGIC SHINE Battery, STOP USING THIS BATTERY