Households are encouraged to check theirs solar batteries after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) warned nearly 5,000 properties that may have dangerous LG solar batteries installed.
The warning follows an earlier product recall from LGwhich warns households of the potential fire risk of their LG, SolaX or Opal home energy storage systems.
ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said this list had been expanded to include some Redback, Red Earth, Eguana and VARTA models.
“This recall has been updated twice to include new models, affected systems and manufacturing dates, so even if your battery hasn’t been recalled before, you should check your battery’s serial number again . We remain concerned about the fire hazard caused by faulty batteries, so please act quickly.”
The consumer watchdog said it would contact more affected households in the coming weeks to make sure they were aware of the faulty batteries.
Ms Rickard said batteries should be checked regardless of whether a household is in contact or not.
“Unfortunately, since October 2019 there have been nine reported incidents involving these types of batteries in Australia resulting in property damage and one injury. We do not want to see any more incidents or injuries.”
If households find they have an affected battery, they are advised to turn it off immediately and contact the manufacturer for a free replacement or refund.
LG says it will replace faulty batteries manufactured between March 29, 2017 and September 13, 2018 free of charge. Customers can also opt for a refund and have the battery removed from their property at no additional cost if they wish.
Any households that see a significant impact on their electricity bills as a result of not using their solar battery from this recall may also be eligible for financial compensation from LG.
LG also suggests installing new diagnostic software to identify and shut down dangerous solar batteries, which can be replaced for free. This is in relation to an additional 10,000 batteries manufactured between January 21, 2016 to March 28, 2017, and between September 14, 2018 to June 30, 2019 that LG said the ACCC may also be at risk of overheating. However, this software is still under review.
About 2,900 affected batteries have been replaced or removed so far, with an additional 1,400 batteries turned off or reduced in capacity to reduce the risk of overheating while awaiting replacement.
However, at least 3,000 batteries have yet to be traced as part of this additional recall.
Has my solar battery been recalled?
If you have one of the following LG, SolaX, Opal, Redback, Red Earth, Eguana or VARTA solar battery models then you may have an affected battery installed:
- LG Chem RESU 3.3 (452 x 403 x 20 mm)
- LG Chem RESU 6.5 (452 x 656 x 120 mm)
- LG Chem RESU 10 (452 x 484 x 227 mm)
- LG Chem RESU 13 (452 x 626 x 227 mm)
- LG Chem RESU7H Type-R (744 x 692 x 206 mm)
- LG Chem RESU10H Type-R (744 x 907 x 206 mm)
- LG Chem RESU10H Type-R secondary (744 x 907 x 206 mm)
- LG Chem RESU10H Type-C (744 x 907x 206 mm)
- SolaX PowerStation (1570 x 750 x 340 mm)
- Opal Storage (750 x 1550 x 410 mm approx.)
- Red back SH5000 (518 x 1960 x 360 mm)
- Red Earth Drop Bear (1300 x 2020 x 560 mm)
- Eguana Evolve (528 – 2244 x 782 x 400 mm)
- VARTA Neo Pulse (600 x 690 x 186 mm)
The affected batteries were manufactured between March 29, 2017 and September 13, 2018 and supplied to Australian consumers from May 15, 2017.
To check if your battery is part of the recall, you can check your system’s serial number on LG’s website here: https://www.lgessbattery.com/au/main/main.lg
Alternatively, you can contact your solar installer and ask if your system might be affected.
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What should I do if I have an affected battery?
If you know that you have a battery that is affected by this recall then you are advised to turn off the device immediately. To do this safely, it is best to refer to the instructions for the solar battery system.
If you cannot find the instructions then contact your installer or LG Energy Solution for more information.
Once you have safely turned off the device, you should arrange a replacement or remedy with the manufacturer.
For LG, Redback, Red Earth, Eguana or VARTA products, you can call LG Energy Solution on 1300 677 273 or email at productau@lgensol.com.
Customers with Opal or SolaX products should contact SolaX Power on 1300 476 529 or by email at service@solaxpower.com.
Image credit: Adam Calaitzis/Shutterstock.com
