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Nikon EN-EL3 Battery Recall
source: Nikon Inc.

November 8th, 2005: Nikon Inc. is recalling some EN-EL3 rechargeable lithium ion battery packs. Mine from my D70 is fine. Nikon has confirmed four reports of these short circuiting, overheating and melting. No one was hurt. There have only been four confirmed incidents worldwide. Nikon Inc. is offering free improved replacements for the affected lots.

Click here to ask for a replacement after checking your lot number below.

The Nikon EN-EL3 comes with Nikon's D100, D70, and D50 cameras. It is also sold separately at retail under Nikon's model number 26265. The EN-EL3 battery pack involved in this recall was first distributed by Nikon in May 2004 and is still being sold at retail.

This voluntary recall is limited only to those units of the Model EN-EL3 bearing the following lot numbers:

First 3 digits Recall Lot Numbers

44A: 44AC

46A: 46AC, 46AD, 46AE, 46AF, 46AG, 46AH, 46AI, 46AJ, 46AK, 46AL, 46AM, 46AN, 46AO, 46AP, 46AQ, 46AT, 46AU, 46AV, 46AW, 46AX, 46AY

47A: 47AA, 47AB, 47AC, 47AD, 47AE, 47AF, 47AG, 47AH, 47AI, 47AJ,4 7AK, 47AL, 47AM, 47AN, 47AO, 47AP, 47AQ, 47AR, 47AS, 47AU, 47AV, 47AW, 47AX, 47AY

48A: 48AA, 48AB, 48AC, 48AD, 48AE, 48AF, 48AG, 48AH, 48AI, 48AJ, 48AK, 48AL

49A: 49AA, 49AB, 49AC, 49AD, 49AE, 49AF, 49AG, 49AH, 49AI, 49AJ, 49AK, 49AL, 49AM, 49AN, 49AP, 49AQ, 49AR, 49AS, 49AT, 49AU

4AA: 4AAA, 4AAB, 4AAC, 4AAD, 4AAE, 4AAF, 4AAG, 4AAH, 4AAI, 4AAJ, 4AAK, 4AAL, 4AAM

4BA: 4BAA, 4BAB, 4BAC, 4BAD, 4BAE, 4BAF, 4BAG, 4BAH, 4BAI, 4BAJ, 4BAK, 4BAL, 4BAN

4CA: 4CAA, 4CAB, 4CAC, 4CAD, 4CAE, 4CAF, 4CAH, 4CAI, 4CAJ

and I'm told also these:

51A: 51AA, 51AB, 51AC, 51AD, 51AE, 51AF, 51AG, 51AH

53A: 53AA, 53AB

54A: 54AE, 54AF, 54AH

If you have an EN-EL3 battery pack with one of the lot numbers listed above, you should immediately stop using it and remove the battery pack from the battery compartment.

Look for "EN-EL3" printed in white on the back of the battery. The lot number is printed in black ink in the recessed area on the back of the battery. Tilt the battery so that light shines directly on the recessed area to see the lot number in the reflection.

To receive instructions and materials for the return of an EN-EL3 battery pack, postage prepaid, and a free replacement click here or call (800) 645-6678. Nikon will send a prepaid shipping label, packing materials and instructions to return the EN-EL3 battery. Your EN-EL3 battery pack will be replaced free of charge within approximately 7-10 days of Nikon's receipt with a new EN-EL3a or EN-EL3e battery pack. The EN-EL3a and the EN-EL3e may be freely substituted for the EN-EL3 in all cases, and has more capacity as well.

If the lot number of your EN-EL3 battery pack is not listed above, or if your battery is an EN-EL3a or an EN-EL3e, yours isn't subject to this recall. No other batteries are involved in the recall.

A page showing what can happen when lithium batteries aren't charged properly in model airplanes is here. Obviously this isn't the Nikon battery and there are more scary shots collected on that page than any of us will ever see. I just get a kick out of fire photos and couldn't resist.

See Nikon's recall info here.

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