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January 27, 2025

Re: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN & PRODUCT WITHDRAWAL AND REPAIR NOTICE for Kaivac UniVac® Units with a Lithium-Ion Battery (Model Nos. XCU004, XCU005, XCU006, UVWB00, and UV3D00)

Dear Kaivac Battery Charged UniVac Customer –

As part of Kaivac’s commitment to ensuring the safety and readiness of your battery-charged UniVac® unit (Model Nos. XCU004, XCU005, XCU006, UVWB00, and UV3D00), Kaivac is issuing a Product Withdrawal and Repair Plan for your UniVac unit where Kaivac will replace the lithium-ion battery in your unit FREE OF CHARGE. The Product Withdrawal and Repair Plan is being initiated in response to recent incidents where the battery splash cover was not in place and the plastic top of the battery experienced deterioration due to exposure to airborne poly-unsaturated fats causing the plastic top to become brittle and susceptible to cracking. Damage to the battery housing, including cracking on the top, can allow liquid to get into the battery’s lithium-ion cells. This may cause the battery to malfunction, resulting in a fire, explosion, personal injury, and/or property damage.

Kaivac requests that all owners of battery-powered UniVac units promptly contact Kaivac Technical Support at 1-800-287-1136, Ext. 2 to arrange an exchange of your existing battery for a new lithium-ion battery, which will be outfitted with a protective helmet, free of charge. If you previously purchased an additional, spare or replacement battery, such batteries are also eligible for return and a free exchange. As a valued Kaivac customer, Kaivac will provide you with the free, new battery and also arrange for the return and proper disposal of your existing battery. Your return of the existing battery is required.

Upon receipt of this letter, please immediately inspect the lithium-ion battery of your UniVac unit for any damage or cracking. If you notice any damage, immediately stop using it and do not charge your unit. Please contact Kaivac to coordinate the exchange of the old battery for a new battery.

ALL OWNERS OF BATTERY CHARGED UNIVAC UNITS (Model No. XCU004, XCU005, XCU006, UVWB00, UV3D00) SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT KAIVAC TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRODUCT WITHDRAWAL AND REPAIR PLAN. AGAIN, KAIVAC WILL REPLACE THE BATTERY ON YOUR UNIVAC UNIT FREE OF CHARGE.

Return of Battery in Specialized Packaging is Required. To ensure the safe withdrawal and disposal of your old battery, Kaivac will provide the proper packaging for its return when the owner contacts Kaivac Technical Support. The owner will be asked to inform Kaivac Technical Support regarding the physical condition of the battery. Pictures of the battery may also be requested. If the battery housing is cracked, has missing pieces, contains holes, dents, or other damage, Kaivac will need to provide specialized packaging to allow for the return of the old battery for disposal.

As a reminder, Kaivac instructs users of the battery-powered UniVac units to:

Never Use A Battery That Has Been Damaged In Any Way

  • Damaged batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior resulting in fire, explosion or risk of personal injury and property damage. Never Use Or Charge a Damaged Battery Pack. As a reminder, always inspect your UniVac unit prior to use and also always inspect the battery prior to using or charging the battery. To view the battery, the operator should temporarily move aside the Battery/Splash Cover in order to visually inspect the battery housing for any type of physical damage, including cracks, dents, missing pieces, or holes.
  • If the battery housing is damaged, immediately remove the battery from service and contact Kaivac Technical Support at 1-800-287-1136, Ext. 2 for further instructions and/or assistance. Never retain a damaged battery as a “spare” or for any other reason. Never dispose of the battery in the trash. It is important that your old battery is returned as instructed by Kaivac Technical Support at 1-800-287-1136, Ext.2.

Your safety is our priority, and we strongly encourage you and your teams to fully review and adhere to all instructions for safe use and proper care of your UniVac unit(s) and battery, including those set forth in this letter and those included in the UniVac Operator & Parts Manual, which can be accessed at: https://shop.kaivac.com/kaivac-product-manuals/