Pelican Power Brick Battery Charger Recalled for Fire and Burn Hazards

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2006
Release #06-120

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 263-1156
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Pelican Power Brick Battery Charger Recalled for Fire and Burn Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Pelican Power Brick Battery Charger

Units: About 231,000

Distributor/Importer: Electro Source LLC, of Vernon, Calif.

Hazard: The battery charger's circuit board can overheat and cause its plastic cover to melt which poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Electro Source LLC has received 143 reports of the recalled battery charger overheating including one report of fire damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled Pelican Power Brick is an external recharging battery pack that sells as a separate accessory to be used with the Sony PSP™ (PlayStation Portable). The Pelican Power Brick consists of two lithium-ion battery cells connected via a circuit board and mounted in a small plastic housing. The battery cells are charged when plugged into an electrical outlet using the PSP™ AC adaptor. Once charged, it is used to recharge the PSP™. The model number for the battery charger, PL-6018, can be found on the back of the unit. The battery charger was sold alone and also as part of several kits containing other accessories by Electro Source LLC. Sony neither manufactured nor distributed the Pelican Power Brick. Only the Pelican Power Brick is included in this recall.

Sold at: Electronics and discount department stores nationwide, catalogs, and various Web sites from April 2005 through March 2006 for about $20 when sold alone, and for between $40 and $50 when sold as part of certain kits packaged by Electro Source LLC.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the battery charger immediately and contact Electro Source LLC to receive a choice of several replacement products.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Electro Source at (800) 263-1156 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at www.powerbrickrecall.net
Please do not contact Sony or any official PSP™ Web site concerning this recall.