The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·16148·Announced 2016-04-19

Brunton Recalls Rechargeable Battery Packs Due to Fire Hazard

Brunton Outdoor Inc. is recalling Impel and Impel 2 rechargeable battery packs because they can overheat and catch fire during charging.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with reported property damage, including a garage burning down, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' under the Severe category.

Plain-English summary

Brunton Outdoor Inc. is recalling approximately 1,050 Impel and Impel 2 rechargeable, portable battery packs sold in the United States. These battery packs are used to charge cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices. The Impel model features a dark gray rubberized shell with orange or blue accents, while the Impel 2 has a light gray shell with black trim. Both models measure approximately 7.5 inches long by 7 inches wide by 1 inch thick and feature 16 and 19 volt outputs with a USB port; the Impel model also includes a 12 volt output.

The recall is being issued because the lithium ion polymer batteries in these packs can overheat and catch fire during charging, posing a fire hazard. The company has received two reports of battery packs overheating and catching fire. One incident resulted in approximately $25,000 in property damage, and another incident caused a garage to burn down, resulting in property and smoke damage to an adjacent residence. No injuries have been reported.

The battery packs were sold from February 2011 through May 2015 for about $300. They were distributed through outdoor equipment retailers nationwide, including Adorama, Austin Canoe & Kayak, Moontrail, REI, and The Clymb, as well as online retailers such as Amazon, Backcountry, B&H Photo Video, Forestry Suppliers, and OpticsPlanet. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power packs and contact Brunton Outdoor at 800-443-4871 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.brunton.com to click on "Impel Charger Product Recall" for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund.

The recalled product

Product
Rechargeable battery packs
Manufacturer
Brunton Outdoor Inc., of Louisville, Colo.
Category
Consumer Product — Batteries and Chargers
Hazard
Affected units
1,050

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

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