Recall: Sears Battery Chargers Recall by Schumacher

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Ken Giles
April 22, 1997	(301) 504-7052
Release # 97-108
Schumacher Contact: Don Schumacher, (773)973-1600 Ext. 203

CPSC, Schumacher Announce Recall of Sears Battery Chargers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Schumacher Electric Corp. of Chicago, Ill., is recalling about 100,000 Sears DieHard battery chargers. The battery charger has a wiring connection that could short and cause the transformer to overheat. This poses a potential fire hazard.

CPSC is aware of one alleged incident of a fire involving this battery charger. No injuries resulted.

The Sears Die Hard battery charger being recalled is model number 200.71310 manufactured between January 1996 and February 1997. The model number is located on the front of the charger and the date code (H961 through H972) is molded into the plastic base on the bottom of the charger. Labeling on the front of the charger reads in part, "Sears...Die Hard...Fully Automatic Battery Charger Engine Starter." Battery chargers that have a white sticker on the back of the charger displaying number 1682 have already been modified and are not involved in this recall.


Sears Automotive Centers, Sears Hardware stores, and Sears Dealer stores sold these battery chargers from January 1996 through February 1997 for about $65.

Consumers should immediately stop using these battery chargers and return them to the nearest Sears Auto Center, Sears Hardware store, or Sears Dealer store for a free replacement. For more information about this recall, consumers should call 1-800-SEARS64.

No other Sears battery chargers are involved in this recall.