EcoTech Marine issued a recallof the Battery Backup cable for the VorTech pump.

[GDawson]

JUly 9, 2010
Product Recall
EcoTech Marine has issued a voluntary recall of the Battery Backup cable used for the VorTech pump.

http://ecotechmarine.com/recall/

EcoTech Marine has issued a voluntary recall on the Battery Backup cable for the EcoTech Marine Battery Backup. This recall also affects the cables supplied with the IceCap Battery Backup for the VorTech propeller pump, however IceCap, Inc. will be handling the recall of the cables for their accessory independently of us and we recommend that you contact them directly regarding a recall of their cables. It is important to note that this issue only affects those Battery Backup cables that are used with VorTech propeller pumps powered by the Wireless Wave Driver (WWD) driver but this recall will cover all Battery Backup cables regardless of which driver is connected with the cable.
VorTech pumps operating with the WWD may experience an electrical fault condition. In these cases, a battery backup could supply more current than the connection cable can handle which could cause the cable to heat up to an unsafe level. Therefore, there is a voluntary recall on the connection cable for the EcoTech Marine Battery Backup for the VorTech propeller pump. Note the same issue will occur with the IceCap Battery Backup cable for the VorTech propeller pumps sold in United States and Canada. This will apply to Battery Backups used with all the following models of EcoTech Marine VorTech pumps:
- All MP40w Pumps equipped with the WWD
- Any MP40 and MP20 pumps that have been upgraded to the WWD
Note: this issue does not affect the use of the Battery Backup connection cable when used with MP10, MP10 ES, MP10w ES, MP20, MP40w ES, or any model VorTech pump that does not use a WWD driver. However, anyone that has purchased an EcoTech Marine Battery Backup will be eligible to participate in this recall regardless of what model VorTech propeller pump they are using.
To correct this problem swiftly and safely, we have revised the cables used with our Battery Backup accessory to include a cable that has an inline fuse built in. Any purchaser of an EcoTech Marine Battery Backup is eligible for this recall at no cost. Our revised cable will also solve this risk for use with IceCap batteries; however they will be handling the distribution of these components to their customers separately from us.
If you have purchased an IceCap Battery Backup (as indicated by the presence of their logo on the accessory) or IceCap Battery Backup connection cable, please contact them directly for support at service@icecapinc.com or 1-800-7-ICECAP. If you have purchased an EcoTech Marine Battery Backup please refer to below:
To receive replacement cables, please fill out our recall request form. We will send you replacement cables free of charge upon submission of the form. Discontinue use of the previous connection cables. Note that we are not requesting that you return your non-fused cables to us. Please destroy the non-fused cables by cutting them in half and dispose of them so that they cannot be used. If you have any questions, please email us at service@ecotechmarine.com or call us at 1-888-785-0338.
If you are an international client, revised battery back cables will be supplied through your local distributor, a list of who are available on our website here: http://ecotechmarine.com/where-to-buy/international-distributors/
In order to improve the efficiency of this action, we will also be selling cables through our parts store below our cost to any customer that wishes to place an order immediately and forego the recall paper work. The revised cables will be available on our website for $1.50 each plus $3 shipping to US customers only for a period of approximately three months from the date of the recall.
From this date forward, all EcoTech Marine Battery Backups will contain the new fuse styled cables, which are distinguishable by the presence of a fuse holder built into the cable and a label showing part number 10427. However, there may still exist inventory that will contain the previous non-fused cable. If you purchase an EcoTech Marine Battery Backup from a vendor and it does not feature the new style cable with fuse, please contact us for your replacement cables.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
CLICK HERE for more information.

Regards,
Tim Marks
President
EcoTech Marine, LLC

 

[Gomer]

THanks for the heads up.

 

[xcaret]

Thanks I'll contact them, have two batteries and better be safe than sorry.

 

[seminolecpa]

Make sure you keep in mind this part

"Our revised cable will also solve this risk for use with IceCap batteries; however they will be handling the distribution of these components to their customers separately from us.
If you have purchased an IceCap Battery Backup (as indicated by the presence of their logo on the accessory) or IceCap Battery Backup connection cable, please contact them directly for support at service@icecapinc.com or 1-800-7-ICECAP."

 

[vivi]

does anyone's Vortech battery comes with a serial number? I flipped my heavy battery all around and couldn't find it. :-/

 

[sfsuphysics]

Really now? They didn't know how much current the wire could handle simply due to its size?

 

[xcaret]

does anyone's Vortech battery comes with a serial number? I flipped my heavy battery all around and couldn't find it. :-/

Mine, IcaCap are on the bottom of the batteries.

 

[finalphaze987]

crap....i just got this msg from icecap:

"There is no agreement between Icecap and Ecotech marine on the battery cable issue. I realize Ecotech is providing instructions but they failed to coordinate and get an agreement with Icecap. Icecap will not be handling this recall at this time. It could change in the future if Ecotech marine reaches an agreement with Icecap."
Dave
IceCap Service Manager

 

[sfsuphysics]

Damn ouch!

IMO EcoTech's relation with IceCap has been one big Fuster Cluck.

 

[finalphaze987]

Damn ouch!

IMO EcoTech's relation with IceCap has been one big Fuster Cluck.

Yea i was pretty bummed when i got that. But hope is not lost! i just recieved this e-mail from icecap today:

"An agreement was just reached between Ecotech and Icecap on how to proceed with the battery cable recall. Ecotech will handle ALL the recalled cables. Ecotech has designed and procured new modified cables and it will be more efficient for one company to handle all the replacements. Thanks for your patience and understanding on this matter."

Dave
IceCap Service Manager

 

[JAR]

Ecotech seems to be a very good company that stands behind their products.
I happen to have several Vortech pumps and a battery back up.
Any and all problems have been handled swiftly and professionally.

 

[GreshamH]

Really now? They didn't know how much current the wire could handle simply due to its size?

I highly suspect it was an issue with not being fused and a customer having an issue

 

[sfsuphysics]

If anything sounds like a problem with the vortech, since the battery should not push more current than is demanded by the vortech. But yeah, I'm not going to get any stinkin fused cable!

 

[r0ck0]

I just had my first contact with vortech customer service and it was good. My issue is my mp10 when in NTM the wetside would get unaligned and start spinning off axis around the dry side. This caused a big mess in my small tank. I told support the issue and they asked for my serial number, told them I was at work and didn't have it with me, they said no problem its still under warranty and sent me a new one. I haven't got it yet but hope it will fix the problem.

Has anyone had an issue with their pumps and the wetside losing contact or coming dislodged? It only happened when in a mode other than constant or pulse, any mode that changed would cause it to fall off. I checked the glass thickness, setup instructions and cleaned the wetside, didn't help.