The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·02250·Announced 2002-09-12

Chargetek Recalls CT-2000 Battery Chargers Due to Fire Hazard

Chargetek is recalling about 200 CT-2000 battery chargers because a manufacturing defect can cause overheating and fire. Consumers should stop using the units and contact the company for a free replacement.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with three reported fire incidents, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported but property damage (soot) occurred.

Plain-English summary

Chargetek Inc. is recalling approximately 200 CT-2000 battery chargers due to a manufacturing defect that can cause internal connections or external wiring to overheat, presenting a fire hazard. The affected chargers were made in the USA and sold nationwide by specialty product dealers between January 2001 and June 2002 for between $220 and $260. The chargers feature a black housing with "Chargetek CT2000" printed on the front, indicator lights for charge mode, battery polarity, and charge current, and wires for AC power and three batteries extending from the bottom. Only models with a serial number between 030260 and 030603 and/or a day code between "Jan 01 2001" and "June 30 2002" are included in the recall. The serial number is located on the top of the charger, and the day code is stamped on the bottom.

Chargetek has received three reports of fires involving the CT-2000 chargers. In all reported incidents, the fires were contained to the charger, resulting in minor soot damage to nearby materials. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should stop using and disconnect the AC power and batteries from the chargers immediately. To arrange for a free replacement, consumers should contact Chargetek at (888) 453-4135 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or visit www.chargetek.com.

The recalled product

Product
Battery Chargers
Manufacturer
Chargetek Inc., of Oxnard, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Battery Chargers
Hazard
Affected units
200

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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