HP Recalls 6 Million Power Cables Over Fire Hazard

Via the Consumerist comes news that HP is recalling power cables after about 30 reports that they were melting from regular use. From the article: Hewlett-Packard received 29 reports of the melting or charring power cords, two that included claims of minor burns and 13 claims of minor property damage. The black power cords were distributed with HP and Compaq notebook and mini notebook computers and with AC adapter-powered accessories such as docking stations and have an "LS-15" molded mark on the AC adapter. About 5.6 million power cords were sold in the United States, while 446,700 were sold in Canada from September 2010 to June 2012 at electronic stores and hp.com.

Comments

Same folks who made my LED flashlight?

[TheRealHocusLocus]

A little 8-white-LED key chain flashlight, it's cheap and what a miracle it is. Anyone old enough to remember strapping on 2 lb lantern batteries for a couple of hours' light knows. Really bright, runs cool with and extremely low current draw. All Glory to the Human Race. And Hypnotoad.

1. flickered on the first day when I tapped it against something. Probably shelf life corrosion patina, took out batteries, cleaned them, ok.

2. flickering again. spring on screw end not made of spring steel, weak. stretched out spring.

3. flickering again. top contact in flashlight tube is flat bent strip of copper or brass, no spring behind it. installed tiny ball of foil on top of battery.

4. flickering again. top contact now recessed into soft plastic and contact is unreliable even with foil or spring shim. flashlight goes into drawer.

5. need for tiny always-on light. take hacksaw to cut off aluminum battery tube, to reach and solder wire from 1.5V adapter to top contact. drill small hole to attach screw for wire (cannot solder, too much heat dissipation). Works today. Light always on.

6. flickering again. this time it is failing spring on push button. place small clamp around button squeezing it down tight.

7. flickering again. this time it is two of the eight individual LEDs around the circle going out when tapped. clearly the fabrication method involved little or no solder.

8. at this point 'fixing' this little light would involve rendering it down to part level and rebuilding it. Had enough. I decide to leave the light as it is and change my life instead. I have joined an Amish community.

8. flickering again. this time it is a light murmuring breeze on leaves in a glade of dappled sunlight. tie off branches and sew leaves together with thread.

9. flickering again. this time it is my campfire. A rhinoceros appears and stamps the fire out.