Lenovo's USB-C Power Banks pack more heat than expected

Got a Lenovo USB-C Laptop Power bank? Is the model number PBLG2W? There's a chance the device could catch fire, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), and Lenovo has issued a recall notice. The device boasts a 20,000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery to charge smartphones and laptops when a power …

[heyrick]

Appropriate icon is appropriate.

[Paul Herber]

As Lithium is/was used in thermonuclear devices, very appropriate.With this one simple hack you become the owner of a fusion bomb.

[Benegesserict Cumbersomberbatch]

With this one simple hack and enough ²³⁹Pu for a fission primary you become the owner of a fusion bomb.

FTFY.

[Mike 137]

"it appears that some internal screws can loosen"

Obviously, someone has a screw loose. Haven't they heard of insulation? It's one of the most basic principles of psu desgn -- ensure that all potentially live parts are shrouded. Hell, it's mandatory now even on multimeter test leads.

[Roland6]

Re: "it appears that some internal screws can loosen"

Surely, someone forgot the locktite…

[yetanotheraoc]

Re: "it appears that some internal screws can loosen"

I was in a hurry.

[cheekybuddha]

Despite all the (deserved) jibes, props to them for the action taken:

>> Lenovo said that customers with affected devices should stop using them immediately and request a free replacement power bank from the company. <<

Makes a change from seeing companies trying to wriggle out of having to fix their issues, eg "You're holding it wrong"

[Sorry that handle is already taken.]

Sure, but they're not doing it out of the goodness of their hearts either, they're managing their liability. At least an iPhone that doesn't work when you Hold It Wrong™ won't burn your house down...

[Bondy]

Their site tells me mine is out of warranty so won't replace it!

[mikus]

Apparently they never temperature checked their 230W psu's, my T15G2 with an nvidia gpu warms my room on cold days.

[ITMA]

Hmmmm

Me thinks someone at Lenovo needs to look up the proper definition of FireWire...

'Cos this ain't it!

[Red Ted]

20,000 mAh

So that'll be 20Ah then?

A bit like the warning signs at model railway exhibitions: "Caution 12,000mV"

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: 20,000 mAh

Yes, but the point of the notice in an exhibition is to persuade people to keep their little fingers away. "Caution 12V" probably wouldn't do that.

[Sorry that handle is already taken.]

Re: 20,000 mAh

I assumed it's because they're miniatures and it's cute.

I'm reminded me of Neil DeGrasse Tyson's tale about serving on a jury in a drug possession trial and arguing with the judge over the use of milligrams rather than grams to describe the alleged amounts, being prejudicial to the defendant because it makes the amounts sound gigantic.

[emfiliane]

Re: 20,000 mAh

The CGS system strikes again!

[ske1fr]

This may explain...

...re the Anker reference, why the great South American river is pushing the hell out of that brand for stuff like chargers at present. No chance, I've found what appears to be a reliable brand instead.

[Bondy]

out of warranty?

I see that my powerbank exactly meets the criteria specified on the recall site, inc build month, model etc but says it's out of warranty! Surely that would mean anything from then would be out of warranty too? Are they saying I am unable to use it but they will not replace it either?

[Anonymous Coward]

surprised....

....not really, they are Chinese after all. And today I have a Lenovo 15 G2 almost cause a fire. With the power in the USB-C power slot and then a dongle in the 2nd slot I noticed the dongle not working. Odd. Touched it and it was hotter than the sun.

Pulled out it, let cool down, tried again, did the same.

Removed laptop and power, took known working dongle put it in 2nd USB-C slot, all fine. Put the power in, it fries whatever is in the USB-C send slot. I think there is either a short or some wierdness going on.

And too think, if I hadn't noticed that would of potentially burnted the users house down.