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Safety Notice for Users of Nikon D50, D70 and D100 and the rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3
Through strict quality control procedures we have detected that on rare occasions some rechargeable Li-ion batteries of the type EN-EL3 for Nikon Digital SLR cameras may become defective, resulting in overheating during recharging. The rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL3 battery is provided as a supplied accessory with the Nikon D100, D70 and D50 Digital SLR cameras. It is also sold as a separate accessory for these camera models and can be used with the Nikon D70s. Investigations have clarified that the cause of the defect is not a design fault, but has resulted from a temporary problem in a manufacturing process that occurred during the production of this battery type between May and September 2004.

In the interests of our customers and as a reflection of Nikon’s commitment to safety and product quality, we have initiated a voluntary recall and replacement program of all EN-EL3 batteries manufactured during the period mentioned above.

We would like to advise all owners of a rechargeable EN-EL3 battery to immediately check the batch number of their battery – please see illustration below – and establish if the EN-EL3 battery is affected. Batteries that bear a manufacturing batch identification (see diagram) found in the available list should be returned to Nikon for replacement, following an on-line procedure described at www.europe-nikon.com/support. Assistance with completing the procedure can be obtained by calling Nikon at the dedicated national number +44 2871 305 500. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

How can I tell if my EN-EL3 battery should be returned?
1. Confirm that your battery is of type EL-EL3. Please note
EN-EL3a or EN-EL3e batteries are not affected by this defect.
2. If the battery is an EL-EL3, check whether this bears one of
the following manufacturing batch numbers. This number
is printed on the bottom of the battery case.


BATCH NUMBERS FOR BATTERY IDENTIFICATION
44AC,46AC,46AE,46AF,46AG,46AH,46AI,46AJ,46AK, 46AL,46AM,46AN,46AO,46AP,46AQ,46AT,46AU,46AV,
46AW,46AX,46AY,47AA,47AB,47AC,47AD,47AD,47AE, 47AF,47AG,47AH,47AI,47AJ,47AK,47AL,47AM,47AN
47AO,47AP,47AQ,47AR,47AS,47AT,47AU,47AV,47AW, 47AX,47AY,48AA,48AB,48AC,48AD,48AE,48AF,48AG
48AH,48AI,48AJ,48AK,48AL,49AA,49AB,49AC,49AD, 49AE,49AF,49AG,49AH,49AI,49AJ,49AK,49AL,49AM
49AN,49AP,49AQ,49AR,49AS,49AT,49AU,4AAA,4AAB, 4AAC,4AAD,4AAE,4AAF,4AAG,4AAH,4AAI,4AAJ,4AAK
4AAL,4AAM,4BAA,4BAB,4BAC,4BAD,4BAE,4BAF,4BAG, 4BAH,4BAI,4BAJ,4BAK,4BAL,4BAN,4CAA,4CAB,4CAC
4CAD,4CAE,4CAF,4CAH,4CAI,4CAJ

My EN-EL3 is from the affected batch. How can I get it replaced?
Please go to www.europe-nikon.com/support and follow the on-line procedure. The registration process will take a few minutes. Please ensure that you should have the serial number of your camera available. After having completed the procedure, Nikon will send you a pre-paid postal packet in which to return your EN-EL3 battery. The packet should state the reference number from the registration and must include your address. On receipt, the battery will be inspected, verified and a free of charge replacement battery of the new type EN-EL3a or EN-EL3e will be posted to the address that you have indicated during registration.

Should I continue to use my battery?
The likelihood of failure is very low and failures have only occurred during recharging, not during storage or use in a camera. However as a failing battery will become very hot, extreme caution is advised if you decide to continue to use your battery.

I have further questions on this issue. Whom can I contact?
Please contact the Nikon Service Hotline +44 2871 305 500 or post a question at http://www.europe-nikon.com/support
How to return your battery

Verify if your battery is affected or not by checking the type and serial number from the published list.

If you have determined that your battery is affected, visit the Nikon European Support Centre website www.europe-nikon.com/support, and complete the on-line registration process. It is important that you record your product, serial number, your name, address, contact e-mail and telephone number. Note that the address provided by you will be the address to which the replacement battery is sent.

You will then be sent a pre-paid postal packet in which to return your battery. The packet should state the reference number from your registration and must include your address . On receipt, your battery will be inspected, verified and a replacement battery will posted to the address as declared during registration. Please note that we will attempt to supply replacement batteries by return post, but the case of high demand, returns may take longer.

Do not send in your battery to your dealer or to the national Nikon office in your country. All customer batteries will be collected at a single European point from which the replacements will be dispatched. Batteries of any other type, and batteries of the EN-EL3 type from other batches are not affected, and will be returned.

Program Start Date

Replacement batteries will be available from the third week of November.

Customers are invited to register at any time, and should await the receipt of the return postal packet, which will be sent as soon as replacement battery stock becomes available.

Replacement batteries will not be available from dealers or national Nikon offices.

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