I posted pictures of my programmable staus board a little over a week ago. Since then Network Wizards, the maker of the TRIKLITS light strings used in this project, has issued the following safety recall. If you have a set of the original light strings like I do, PLEASE head their warnings!
Received 12/15/2006 - 12:11 PM
=== product safety
notice ===
From: Network Wizards
To: All Triklits Customers
We want to alert you to some safety problems with the Triklits you have received from us. Unfortunately, the factory that built the product for us did not follow our specifications properly. We have since found a number of issues that are a safety concern. A combination of mistakes along with low quality assembly and parts, leads us to believe that this product could possibly cause a fire under the right circumstances.
During some testing of our lights a few weeks ago, a small fire started in our testing area. We were not there to witness it, and due to the the damage and variety of electronics in the area, it was not possible to determine the ignition source. This incident led us to considerable testing of the Triklits, where we found that the plastic cases and balls, and a few other parts, were not made with fire-retardent plastic as we had specified to the factory. If an electronic component somehow failed and caught on fire, there is a chance the plastic case around it could also catch on fire. The proper plastic would generally prevent this from happening. We also found that in near short-circuit conditions, the power supply can output over 4 amps (at low voltages), well over its rated output of 1.6 amps.
We are still negotiating with the factory to try to get them to build us a correct version and send us replacements. So at this time we have no replacements to send out, and it might be a number of months (3+) before we do. We may even end up switching to another manufacturer and this could cause further delays.
Because of these potential problems, we are asking you to return your Triklits to us for a full refund. In addition, if you return them, we will give you 50% off an equivalent number of lights for a future order, when available.
Please return your Triklits to:
Network Wizards
10 Cathy Place
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Please enclose the name you originally ordered them under. We will send you a check (include your name and address!) for the full amount of your order. If you would like to receive a refund via Paypal then include your paypal address also.
We tried very hard to bring you a cool product at an affordable price, but the factory apparently thought saving a few cents was more important than making them properly. We are really sorry about this and we hope to re-emerge from this experience with something much better.
thanks,
Mark
Network Wizards
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PS. We are aware that many of you will be unable or unwilling to return your Triklits for various reasons. In that case, please observe the following:
- Never leave the Triklits plugged in and unattended. Even when they are off, power is still going down the wire to the lights.
- Feel the power supply, control box and each light after they have been running for an hour or so. Nothing should feel more than slightly warm. Pull the power plug out and feel the end of it too. If anything is hot, discontinue using it and contact us.
- After analyzing all the components, we think if they were to cause a fire, the more probable place is the control box, so check this carefully.
- Do not operate Triklits in the paper box they came in, or next to any flammable materials.
- Adding a 2 AMP fuse in the circuit before power enters the control box will greatly enhance safety.
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