PSA: My Umbrella almost burned my house down (Sunvilla recall)

[seanmclean]

So this was fun. Bought this umbrella in April 2021, apparently a voluntary recall was issued in June of 2022, but I never received a notification from Costco or Sunvilla. If you have one of these purchased before then (a new model is out now), take the solar puck off the top. Really lucky this little bomb didn't land closer to the house, or under the grill, and really glad I sprung for synthetic decking. May have to replace a few boards, but that's nothing compared to what could have happened. It gets extra exciting around 1:10 in.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Holy smokes!!!!

Thanks for sharing that!

 

[HawaiiBreeze]

China-made stealth umbrella bomb activated by the balloons.

(very glad it just fizzled out...amen, could have been o-so-worse.)

 

[fireflymedic]

Holy cow. Talk about going from 0 to 100. It gave off no warning at all. So smoke or noise nothing just boom bottle rocketed right out of there.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Damn!! That explosion was no joke for such a small device.

 

[captras]

Is there any doubt that 90% of the crap that comes out of China is just that.....CRAP! I am more than willing to pay more for products made in reputable countries, and especially Made In USA!

 

[drewkaree]

So the recall was for this thing just spontaneously combusting?!?!?

Usually, these things have recalls sent out based on registration, but Costco should have had all your info even if you didn't register it with the manufacturer, wtf?

 

[seanmclean]

So the recall was for this thing just spontaneously combusting?!?!?

Usually, these things have recalls sent out based on registration, but Costco should have had all your info even if you didn't register it with the manufacturer, wtf?

Yep, link is below. But bad charge controller leading to overheating and kaboom. Somehow this is a voluntary recall, which is batshit crazy to me. Sent in another report to CPSC. I've received other recall notifications from Costco for food products and stuff. Costco knows I bought it, can still pull the receipt from 2021 from their website.

SunVilla™ Corporation Recalls Solar LED Market Umbrellas Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Sold Exclusively at Costco (Recall Alert)

Consumers should immediately stop using the umbrellas, remove the solar panel puck containing a lithium-ion battery from the top of the umbrella, store the puck out of the sun and away from combustible material, and do not charge the puck with the AC adapter. Consumers can return the umbrellas...

www.cpsc.gov

 

[seanmclean]

Damn!! That explosion was no joke for such a small device.

No Kidding! After I found the smoldered solar puck, went back to the video and watched it. Oh popped off and fizzled out, not that big a deal..... HOLY SHIT! Stayed on fire like that for a while, I have no idea how it didn't at the least, melt its way through the decking.

 

[drewkaree]

No Kidding! After I found the smoldered solar puck, went back to the video and watched it. Oh popped off and fizzled out, not that big a deal..... HOLY SHIT! Stayed on fire like that for a while, I have no idea how it didn't at the least, melt its way through the decking.

I thought they passed some regs or manufacturers did something...whatever...I think they add some chemical or other magic to make composite decking more fire resistant in the newer stuff, although I don't know how old your decking is. I think there were some issues with glass making a nice firestarter....damn this getting old and not remembering specifics!