EE recalling 1.4 million Power Bars (that's ALL of them). Stop using them!

Minardi · 17-12-2015, 06:27

I agree, I'd be surprised if it was Anker. I've got a few chargers from them and it's all good kit, no issues.

Swipe · 17-12-2015, 07:29

TBH, there's nothing wrong with them. It's just a knee jerk reaction because of the hoverboard ban. How many bars out of the hundreds of 1000s have exploded so far? I won't be returning mine for a £20 voucher that can only be usd on over priced tat that is marked up 5 times over its true value and from an accessories website that won't even load properly. EE didn't even have the foresight to increase capacity on it's shop web platform before the announcement.

Swipe · 17-12-2015, 07:38

You can even hand it back and then order an identical 'dodgy' one (but different colour) from their shop lol

https://accessories.ee.co.uk/product/PWRP2GDBS/

jonmorris · 17-12-2015, 07:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swipe

TBH, there's nothing wrong with them. It's just a knee jerk reaction because of the hoverboard ban. How many bars out of the hundreds of 1000s have exploded so far? I won't be returning mine for a £20 voucher that can only be usd on over priced tat that is marked up 5 times over its true value and from an accessories website that won't even load properly. EE didn't even have the foresight to increase capacity on it's shop web platform before the announcement.

Mine started to play up, so seriously mate, get rid of it. You can't swap it in stores now and it is crap anyway. 1A input and output, and a tiny capacity that after the usual losses won't even manage one full charge on most devices.

There are so many better options out there. Get something with around 4-5000 mAh and 2A out (and in, if you'd like to recharge it quickly, assuming you use a suitable PSU).

Or keep it as a souvenir but don't use it. Who knows, maybe it will be worth something one day! (doubtful though).

prking · 17-12-2015, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevonBloke

LOL.
I think they were made by Anker (someone confirm?)
This is surprising as most of their kit is pretty good.
I bet they got some serious shit over this don't you think?
Methinks EE won't be footing all of the bill over this debacle.
Hahaha

Why do you think they were made by Anker? Others have reported Cham Battery (specifically the Powerocks) division. www.cham.com.cn/en/products/index.

I've not opened one up to check but others have reported doing so.

DevonBloke · 17-12-2015, 08:02

Yeah got my lines crossed there.
Nobody listen to me. Always a bad idea.

Apologies to Anker.
It was NOT an Anker product.

Gigabit · 17-12-2015, 09:35

I personally believe the outer shell is probably a common design that many companies (including Anker) use.

However, I am fairly sure that Anker actually manufacturer the whole casing and the components inside. At the very least they choose decent components and assemble them together properly.

WelshBluebird · 17-12-2015, 09:38

Considering the main benefit was supposed to be the fact you could swap a dead one for a fully charged one, and you can't do that anymore I see no point in keeping hold of it. I'll hand mine in when I am in town next and use the voucher to another one (probably with a higher capacity like jonmorris suggests)

dodgedave100 · 17-12-2015, 19:13

Took mine to the Sunderland EE store today and was given a £20 accessory voucher. I did ask if i could keep the little yellow charger cable and the guy was fine about it.

Stiggles · 18-12-2015, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swipe

TBH, there's nothing wrong with them. It's just a knee jerk reaction because of the hoverboard ban. How many bars out of the hundreds of 1000s have exploded so far? I won't be returning mine for a £20 voucher that can only be usd on over priced tat that is marked up 5 times over its true value and from an accessories website that won't even load properly. EE didn't even have the foresight to increase capacity on it's shop web platform before the announcement.

Well be it on your own head then if anything happens.

The first day they came out i had taken 2 back due to them overheating. That was enough for me and i never replaced it.

moox · 18-12-2015, 09:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swipe

TBH, there's nothing wrong with them. It's just a knee jerk reaction because of the hoverboard ban. How many bars out of the hundreds of 1000s have exploded so far? I won't be returning mine for a £20 voucher that can only be usd on over priced tat that is marked up 5 times over its true value and from an accessories website that won't even load properly. EE didn't even have the foresight to increase capacity on it's shop web platform before the announcement.

Or because there are actual instances of the EE power bar catching fire/getting hot/doing things it shouldn't, and perhaps EE is unable to determine which ones are fine and which are not, so they're recalling all of them. Then if anyone tries to sue, after being told to give it back, they can claim they took precautions with a full recall.

It's not unprecendented. Nvidia for example recalled a ton of their new Android tablets because some of them may have batteries that might explode. Better to be safe than sorry.

jonmorris · 18-12-2015, 09:53

Given how insurance companies love to try and get out of paying, or knocking down settlements, I wouldn't want to be trying to claim after a fire and it being found that I'd willingly kept a charger despite a recall for a fire risk!

kev · 19-12-2015, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ollie_h19

Do we have to give the little cable back too? Plugging that into a mains plug charges my phone in about an hour, its great!

I just took my two sticks (Mobile and Broadband) in to the local store and got two £20 vouchers, and they didn't quibble about the lack of cables - they didn't even ask for my details (they just threw them in a box under the high tables they stand behind and gave me two vouchers).

Ended up ordering something I was going to get elsewhere, and due to the high prices in the accessories store only saved a fiver but I can't grumble too much. Hadn't used them in ages as they run so hot!

The little cables are rather handy as my bigger power bank with integrated cable doesn't mate properly any more (busted pin) but the little cables allow me to use the USB ports on it.

Swipe · 19-12-2015, 15:56

I can't believe their accessories site still doesn't respond in a timely fashion.

Synthetic42 · 19-12-2015, 16:01

There's not much interesting on there anyway to be honest

DevoidDroid · 19-12-2015, 20:29

Do they take your number or check you account or anything as I cancelled with T-Mobile last month.

jonmorris · 19-12-2015, 20:39

Don't think they need do anything. Just give a voucher to anyone who drops a charger off. It doesn't matter if you got one from someone else as all they want are all 1.4m back!

d123 · 19-12-2015, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevoidDroid

Do they take your number or check you account or anything as I cancelled with T-Mobile last month.

3 posts before yours has an account of the returns procedure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kev

I just took my two sticks (Mobile and Broadband) in to the local store and got two £20 vouchers, and they didn't quibble about the lack of cables - they didn't even ask for my details (they just threw them in a box under the high tables they stand behind and gave me two vouchers).

DevoidDroid · 19-12-2015, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

3 posts before yours has an account of the returns procedure.

Thanks, I even read that post but still managed to miss it!

kev · 19-12-2015, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevoidDroid

Do they take your number or check you account or anything as I cancelled with T-Mobile last month.

They do want the number you registered with when redeeming the voucher.

jonmorris · 19-12-2015, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by kev

They do want the number you registered with when redeeming the voucher.

Yes, to stop the vouchers being sold on.

One has to wonder how long they were willing to let people still use them, despite knowing the risk, so they could get the recall set up and sort out the vouchers and the special terms and conditions etc.

alanwarwic · 20-12-2015, 07:33

I recall observing that they looked like the basic devices that you can buy with or without an 18650 battery, though even back then someone chirped up that they thought they were made by Anker!

And I am still wondering what went wrong. With all those exploding tabletsthat got in the,counterfeit chargers were always blamed, at least until a charger recall later took place.

So is it the actual device design or dodgy cables/chargers sparking the problem?
If the batteries are the fault then likely there must be millions of them waiting to explode elsewhere.

neilybealy · 20-12-2015, 09:11

I left ee but took it back yesterday. I couldn't use the voucher as you have to confirm the mobile number

Richard_T · 20-12-2015, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwarwic

I recall observing that they looked like the basic devices that you can buy with or without an 18650 battery, though even back then someone chirped up that they thought they were made by Anker!

And I am still wondering what went wrong. With all those exploding tabletsthat got in the,counterfeit chargers were always blamed, at least until a charger recall later took place.

So is it the actual device design or dodgy cables/chargers sparking the problem?
If the batteries are the fault then likely there must be millions of them waiting to explode elsewhere.

The EE portable charger didnt come with a mains plug, just the unit itself, and a short yellow micro USB lead packaged in a cardboard tube

japaul · 20-12-2015, 16:35

Return procedures seem to depend on who serves you as I just returned mine.

I took mine in to EE store 1 and mentioned the £20 voucher. He asked if I had received a text from EE to which I said no as I haven't received one (yet). He said I could give him the power bar but he couldn't give me a voucher unless I showed him the text. He said the texts are still being rolled out (obviously they are like 4G site upgrades) and advised I keep the power bar until I get the text. Slightly strange advice given it's a recall on safety grounds.

Although I don't really care about the voucher and will probably just give it to someone else, as there's another EE store less than two minutes away I thought I would try that one. So in I walk to EE store 2 which conveniently had a pile of £20 vouchers on the desk. I hardly had time to say anything before he took the bar from me and handed me the voucher. I returned it in the tube but he didn't check it so presumably a few carefully selected stones instead of the power bar could have got me my voucher! He also kept it on him. Maybe he will "return' it himself and claim a voucher. Perhaps EE will need more £20 vouchers than power bars returned.

17-12-2015, 06:27	#26
Minardi Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Midlands Posts: 502	I agree, I'd be surprised if it was Anker. I've got a few chargers from them and it's all good kit, no issues.

17-12-2015, 07:29	#27
Swipe Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 6,183	TBH, there's nothing wrong with them. It's just a knee jerk reaction because of the hoverboard ban. How many bars out of the hundreds of 1000s have exploded so far? I won't be returning mine for a £20 voucher that can only be usd on over priced tat that is marked up 5 times over its true value and from an accessories website that won't even load properly. EE didn't even have the foresight to increase capacity on it's shop web platform before the announcement.

17-12-2015, 07:38	#28
Swipe Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 6,183	You can even hand it back and then order an identical 'dodgy' one (but different colour) from their shop lol https://accessories.ee.co.uk/product/PWRP2GDBS/

17-12-2015, 07:47	#29
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Quote: Originally Posted by Swipe TBH, there's nothing wrong with them. It's just a knee jerk reaction because of the hoverboard ban. How many bars out of the hundreds of 1000s have exploded so far? I won't be returning mine for a £20 voucher that can only be usd on over priced tat that is marked up 5 times over its true value and from an accessories website that won't even load properly. EE didn't even have the foresight to increase capacity on it's shop web platform before the announcement. Mine started to play up, so seriously mate, get rid of it. You can't swap it in stores now and it is crap anyway. 1A input and output, and a tiny capacity that after the usual losses won't even manage one full charge on most devices. There are so many better options out there. Get something with around 4-5000 mAh and 2A out (and in, if you'd like to recharge it quickly, assuming you use a suitable PSU). Or keep it as a souvenir but don't use it. Who knows, maybe it will be worth something one day! (doubtful though).

17-12-2015, 07:49	#30
prking Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 9,167	Quote: Originally Posted by DevonBloke LOL. I think they were made by Anker (someone confirm?) This is surprising as most of their kit is pretty good. I bet they got some serious shit over this don't you think? Methinks EE won't be footing all of the bill over this debacle. Hahaha Why do you think they were made by Anker? Others have reported Cham Battery (specifically the Powerocks) division. www.cham.com.cn/en/products/index. I've not opened one up to check but others have reported doing so.

17-12-2015, 08:02	#31
DevonBloke Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Totnes, Devon Posts: 6,694	Yeah got my lines crossed there. Nobody listen to me. Always a bad idea. Apologies to Anker. It was NOT an Anker product.

17-12-2015, 09:35	#32
Gigabit Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,887	I personally believe the outer shell is probably a common design that many companies (including Anker) use. However, I am fairly sure that Anker actually manufacturer the whole casing and the components inside. At the very least they choose decent components and assemble them together properly.

17-12-2015, 09:38	#33
WelshBluebird Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 720	Considering the main benefit was supposed to be the fact you could swap a dead one for a fully charged one, and you can't do that anymore I see no point in keeping hold of it. I'll hand mine in when I am in town next and use the voucher to another one (probably with a higher capacity like jonmorris suggests)

17-12-2015, 19:13	#34
dodgedave100 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sunderland Posts: 31	Took mine to the Sunderland EE store today and was given a £20 accessory voucher. I did ask if i could keep the little yellow charger cable and the guy was fine about it.

18-12-2015, 00:26	#35
Stiggles Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dundee, Scotland Posts: 9,293	Quote: Originally Posted by Swipe TBH, there's nothing wrong with them. It's just a knee jerk reaction because of the hoverboard ban. How many bars out of the hundreds of 1000s have exploded so far? I won't be returning mine for a £20 voucher that can only be usd on over priced tat that is marked up 5 times over its true value and from an accessories website that won't even load properly. EE didn't even have the foresight to increase capacity on it's shop web platform before the announcement. Well be it on your own head then if anything happens. The first day they came out i had taken 2 back due to them overheating. That was enough for me and i never replaced it.

18-12-2015, 09:47	#36
moox Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 14,645	Quote: Originally Posted by Swipe TBH, there's nothing wrong with them. It's just a knee jerk reaction because of the hoverboard ban. How many bars out of the hundreds of 1000s have exploded so far? I won't be returning mine for a £20 voucher that can only be usd on over priced tat that is marked up 5 times over its true value and from an accessories website that won't even load properly. EE didn't even have the foresight to increase capacity on it's shop web platform before the announcement. Or because there are actual instances of the EE power bar catching fire/getting hot/doing things it shouldn't, and perhaps EE is unable to determine which ones are fine and which are not, so they're recalling all of them. Then if anyone tries to sue, after being told to give it back, they can claim they took precautions with a full recall. It's not unprecendented. Nvidia for example recalled a ton of their new Android tablets because some of them may have batteries that might explode. Better to be safe than sorry.

18-12-2015, 09:53	#37
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Given how insurance companies love to try and get out of paying, or knocking down settlements, I wouldn't want to be trying to claim after a fire and it being found that I'd willingly kept a charger despite a recall for a fire risk!

19-12-2015, 12:19	#38
kev Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: South Notts (Waltham TV TX) Posts: 20,200	Quote: Originally Posted by Ollie_h19 Do we have to give the little cable back too? Plugging that into a mains plug charges my phone in about an hour, its great! I just took my two sticks (Mobile and Broadband) in to the local store and got two £20 vouchers, and they didn't quibble about the lack of cables - they didn't even ask for my details (they just threw them in a box under the high tables they stand behind and gave me two vouchers). Ended up ordering something I was going to get elsewhere, and due to the high prices in the accessories store only saved a fiver but I can't grumble too much. Hadn't used them in ages as they run so hot! The little cables are rather handy as my bigger power bank with integrated cable doesn't mate properly any more (busted pin) but the little cables allow me to use the USB ports on it.

19-12-2015, 15:56	#39
Swipe Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 6,183	I can't believe their accessories site still doesn't respond in a timely fashion.

19-12-2015, 16:01	#40
Synthetic42 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,510	There's not much interesting on there anyway to be honest

19-12-2015, 20:29	#41
DevoidDroid Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: In The Garden Posts: 371	Do they take your number or check you account or anything as I cancelled with T-Mobile last month.

19-12-2015, 20:39	#42
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Don't think they need do anything. Just give a voucher to anyone who drops a charger off. It doesn't matter if you got one from someone else as all they want are all 1.4m back!

19-12-2015, 20:52	#43
d123 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,993	Quote: Originally Posted by DevoidDroid Do they take your number or check you account or anything as I cancelled with T-Mobile last month. 3 posts before yours has an account of the returns procedure. Quote: Originally Posted by kev I just took my two sticks (Mobile and Broadband) in to the local store and got two £20 vouchers, and they didn't quibble about the lack of cables - they didn't even ask for my details (they just threw them in a box under the high tables they stand behind and gave me two vouchers).

19-12-2015, 20:57	#44
DevoidDroid Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: In The Garden Posts: 371	Quote: Originally Posted by d123 3 posts before yours has an account of the returns procedure. Thanks, I even read that post but still managed to miss it!

19-12-2015, 21:10	#45
kev Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: South Notts (Waltham TV TX) Posts: 20,200	Quote: Originally Posted by DevoidDroid Do they take your number or check you account or anything as I cancelled with T-Mobile last month. They do want the number you registered with when redeeming the voucher.

DS Forums

EE recalling 1.4 million Power Bars (that's ALL of them). Stop using them!

19-12-2015, 21:38	#46
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Quote: Originally Posted by kev They do want the number you registered with when redeeming the voucher. Yes, to stop the vouchers being sold on. One has to wonder how long they were willing to let people still use them, despite knowing the risk, so they could get the recall set up and sort out the vouchers and the special terms and conditions etc.

20-12-2015, 07:33	#47
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	I recall observing that they looked like the basic devices that you can buy with or without an 18650 battery, though even back then someone chirped up that they thought they were made by Anker! And I am still wondering what went wrong. With all those exploding tabletsthat got in the,counterfeit chargers were always blamed, at least until a charger recall later took place. So is it the actual device design or dodgy cables/chargers sparking the problem? If the batteries are the fault then likely there must be millions of them waiting to explode elsewhere.

20-12-2015, 09:11	#48
neilybealy Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 142	I left ee but took it back yesterday. I couldn't use the voucher as you have to confirm the mobile number

20-12-2015, 09:38	#49
Richard_T Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: East Midlands Posts: 3,842	Quote: Originally Posted by alanwarwic I recall observing that they looked like the basic devices that you can buy with or without an 18650 battery, though even back then someone chirped up that they thought they were made by Anker! And I am still wondering what went wrong. With all those exploding tabletsthat got in the,counterfeit chargers were always blamed, at least until a charger recall later took place. So is it the actual device design or dodgy cables/chargers sparking the problem? If the batteries are the fault then likely there must be millions of them waiting to explode elsewhere. The EE portable charger didnt come with a mains plug, just the unit itself, and a short yellow micro USB lead packaged in a cardboard tube

20-12-2015, 16:35	#50
japaul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,662	Return procedures seem to depend on who serves you as I just returned mine. I took mine in to EE store 1 and mentioned the £20 voucher. He asked if I had received a text from EE to which I said no as I haven't received one (yet). He said I could give him the power bar but he couldn't give me a voucher unless I showed him the text. He said the texts are still being rolled out (obviously they are like 4G site upgrades) and advised I keep the power bar until I get the text. Slightly strange advice given it's a recall on safety grounds. Although I don't really care about the voucher and will probably just give it to someone else, as there's another EE store less than two minutes away I thought I would try that one. So in I walk to EE store 2 which conveniently had a pile of £20 vouchers on the desk. I hardly had time to say anything before he took the bar from me and handed me the voucher. I returned it in the tube but he didn't check it so presumably a few carefully selected stones instead of the power bar could have got me my voucher! He also kept it on him. Maybe he will "return' it himself and claim a voucher. Perhaps EE will need more £20 vouchers than power bars returned.