Share Your Thoughts

[krice58]

I have 2 Harmony 890's.  Both have swollen batteries and the batteries have broken the battery covers on both remotes.  One remote is unusable, the other has the battery being held in with tape.  Logitech won't replace the batteries noting 'that it is a normal behavior for a battery to slightly swell'.  Apparently this 'normal' behavior wasnt considered when the battery compartment was designed because it has little room for expansion.  and, this is not slight swelling.  I had a battery swelling problem with an Apple Macbook and Apple immediately replaced the battery even though the laptop was no longer on warranty.

I'm disappointed that Logitech won't stand behind the product and replace what is obviously a run of bad batteries.  But what is more disappointing is that their 'story' is that this is normal... even after I noted that the batteries literally broke the tabs off the battery compartment cover and one of the batteries is approximately 2x its original size.  I won't be buying anymore Logitech products if they don't do the right thing here.

[AntonC]

Hi krice58,

Please send me your incident number via PM, and I will ask the support manager in charge to investigate.

Regards,

[Geek - Prof]

Had same problem with a Harmony One. Called Technical Support. Was told that the swollen battery had “sacrificed itself to save the remote”. WOW - Logitech engineers are so smart…. No battery manufacturer would ever claim that as a feature!!! (I happen to be an electronic engineer so know LiIon tecgnology.) This is a design flaw.

Do not waste your time with Logitech Support. It is possible to pry the battery out. (Do a Google search to see how.) Do not buy from Logitech. eBay or a good battery store will have the replacement battery for much cheaper.

R

[williusj]

I am in the same boat as many of you.  The battery in my 890 is pushing the battery cover away from the remote.  I am afraid that it will end up breaking the remote.  When I contacted Logitech support they say they will no longer replace batteries because Logitech has "now found out that it is a normal behavior for a blue-labeled battery to slightly swell".  How in the world could this be considered normal behavior?  I understand their defense that the remote is out of warranty, but I come to the support forums and see many others like me getting their battery replaced. All I ask for is fair, equiaible treatment. 

- Will

[williusj]

Update:

Logitech support promptly followed up on my swollen battery and has initiated replacement of the defective item.  Thank you Logitech Support.  

[AntonC]

Hi williusj,

You are welcome! I am glad to hear that everything worked out for you!

Regards,

[googleplex]

I also have an 890, and absolutely love it! However earlier this weekend I had to dispose of the battery because It was swollen to almost twice its regular size and ready to burst! (It broke the battery door it was so swollen) So I contacted customer service, and I was appalled by the response I got, that it was "normal behaviour" for a lithium-ion battery to swell like this.

When I removed the battery, I was scared to touch it myself, for fear of it exploding in my hand, let alone if it had exploded while in the remote when it was in the hands of one of my children!

If Logitech is willing to sacrifice the saftey of their customers rather than admitting there is a problem, and doing the right thing and recalling and replacing these batteries, I will never buy one of their products again, along with informing all of my friends and family to do the same.

[AntonC]

Hi googleplex,

Please send me your incident number via PM, and I will ask the support manager in charge to look into this for you.

Regards,

[Rlfarrelly]

My incident number is {Personal content removed for your safety} and I have spoken to two customer service people in the Philippines who say they cannot help me. I am told by Jovin that replacement parts are available from Canada and he was to get back with me in 15-20 minutes. This was 3 days ago. Tonight I talk to Dennis in Philippines and he tells me he cannot help me. I have found numerous threads about this issue and I really enjoy my remote, but am frustrated. If I am to leave it of the cradle for extended periods of time, I will do that. If Logitech / harmony has fixed others and knows there is a defect then I want my replacement cover and battery. Please let me know what to do before I have to resort to other measures.

[AntonC]

Hi Rlfarrelly,

Please check your PM.

Regards,