Halfords Automatic Battery Charger PRODUCT RECALL

[bluedragon]

I've posted this in a another thread, but thought it might be prudent to flag it at a higher level as many forum readers use this unit and will be unaware of the recall. This refers to an earlier model on sale in 2005/2006, so check the codes to see if applies to yours.

The Halfords website says the following:

"We have identified a potential safety concern with the HALFORDS FULLY AUTOMATIC BATTERY CHARGER. It is possible that when charging a defective 12 volt battery that the charger could overheat.

If you have purchased one of these chargers since January 2006, please return it to your nearest Halfords store. The barcode is: 5015025370828, and the item code is: 370825 and are shown in the picture above.

No other battery charger is affected.

The return product will be exchanged. If you have any queries, please speak to a member of staff or call Halfords Customer Helpline on 08450579000 "

Just exchanged mine this morning. No problem. For more info see http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/store..._38270_p2_53251

 

[FWB]

Thank you. Will take mine back.

 

[luddites]

Many thanks will check mine.

 

[WoodyP]

Thank you for the heads up. Just checked mine and I've got one as well that needs replacing.

 

[allanc]

Me too.
Thank you

 

[webcraft]

That other thread was a trifle disappointing . . .

A friend gave us one of these, but because it was a cheapy automotive thing I thought there might be a downside to using it, so have refrained and run the engine to charge batteries even when on a pontoon with electric supply.

So - I was delighted to hear that this very model was recommended and used by several forumites. My joy lasted about ten minutes until someone posted the product recall.

I think my nearest Halfords is about 1400 miles NNE . . .

- W

 

[Bilgediver]

Thanks....I have a doubtfull one and so does brother in law in Abingdon.....already written it off as not suitable for leisure batteries.

Mine cuts out to maintenance mode too quickly as well /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
That other thread was a trifle disappointing . . .

A friend gave us one of these, but because it was a cheapy automotive thing I thought there might be a downside to using it, so have refrained and run the engine to charge batteries even when on a pontoon with electric supply.

So - I was delighted to hear that this very model was recommended and used by several forumites. My joy lasted about ten minutes until someone posted the product recall.

I think my nearest Halfords is about 1400 miles NNE . . .

- W

[/ QUOTE ]

I have similar problem - Halfords in UK ... me in latvia ...

But I have to say that I have used mine for more than 2 years and never had any warming of the unit or problem at all. I still use it as it does a very good job.
It may not be price of Sterling and others - but it's still not a cheapo Car charger ... not expensive I admit ... but not cheap.
I have Gunston and also Bosch chargers ... without maintenance mode or gel switching etc. - they are cheapos !! but also do a good job.

Without more info from Halfords exactly what the fault is ... I hazard a guess that the recall is a pure HS&E safe move on halfords part. I go on experience of using the item a lot and never seeing any trace of fault ... good batterys and bad ...

 

[bluedragon]

My "defective" model worked fine as well, but the warning seems to relate to its use with batteries that may have a fault (whatever that means). There obviously has been an issue as suppliers don't normally recall goods. Reading the notice more carefully it mentions units bought after Jan 2006. I can't exactly remember when I bought it, so exchanged it anyway.

For the poster that mentioned a premature switch to float voltage, mine did this as well, but I'd inadvertently set the battery type to "sealed". When set to "standard" I was quite happy with the charge performance.

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
My "defective" model worked fine as well, but the warning seems to relate to its use with batteries that may have a fault (whatever that means). There obviously has been an issue as suppliers don't normally recall goods. Reading the notice more carefully it mentions units bought after Jan 2006. I can't exactly remember when I bought it, so exchanged it anyway.

For the poster that mentioned a premature switch to float voltage, mine did this as well, but I'd inadvertently set the battery type to "sealed". When set to "standard" I was quite happy with the charge performance.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is what confused me a bit ... Jan 2006. My unit has exact same ID, barcode ... etc.
And I have left it for long periods connected to a truck battery of over 120 A/Hr ... that turned out to be faulty ... No sign of any problem.

Obviously someone has had a problem OR as often the case ... a lab test of gear at intervals has shown a potential fault ... halfords being governed by UK HS&E like any other company in EU has to recall ... (pity some car company wasn't similarly forced when the back wheel fell of my new car years ago .... turned out to be a fault on that years model ! ).

Now I've seen the recall - like others I am concerned ... but as I live in Latvia and can't exchange it ... I will use it with care.

I know that calling any company now about actual data for a recall / potential fault is not answered well enough for you to know exact detail. They won't tell you as some idiots would not realise risk / may hold liable the company for any info given .... I know Acer UK won't tell you how to extract a Hard Drive for upgrade !! in case you damage the machine.