David RichardsNikon has been forced to recall tens of thousands of rechargeable battery packs which when used with Nikon D800 and D7000 DSLR camera model could catch fire and melt.
The batteries have been voluntarily recalled by the company, according to notices issued this weekend. The battery pack in question is the Nikon model EN-EL 15 rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack with lot numbers E and F.
It is not known whether these batteries are sold in Australia. What is known is that organisations like JB HI Fi and the Kogan web site have been direct importing affected models.
Nikon said it has received seven reports of incidents outside of the U.S. and Canada, it is not known whether any of the affected batteries were sold in Australia. Over 20,000 batteries are believed to be affected.
Model number “EN-EL15” and “7.0V 1900mAh 14Wh” are printed on the back of the battery pack.
Only battery packs with an “E” or “F” in the ninth character of the 14-digit lot number located on the back of the battery pack are affected.
According to the notice: “Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.”
The cameras and battery packs have been sold at camera, office-supply and mass-merchandise stores.
They were sold with the referenced DSLR models from February 2012 through March 2012 and in the U.S. from March 2012 through April 2012.
Australian who have purchased Nikon cameras from either US web sites or stores in the USA could be affected.
For additional information, contact Nikon at www.nikonusa.com or .com.au