Your thoughts on fire extinguishers, Pelican parts sale Options

[wes]

I've been thinking of mounting a fire extinguisher just in front the driver seat. I see that Pelican Parts has a sale on the Helgard series extinguishers. It seems like that topic came up be for but can't seem to find it so I'm looking for thoughts on it, to or not to and which one is the way to go if so. Thanks

[thieuster]

Don't know about this brand (unknown here in Europe) but be sure that you NEVER use a powder fire extinguisher in a car. The powder is very, very corrosive. Despite that, many of the cheap extinguishers that are sold in automotive shops are these powder extinguishers. Same goes for extinguishers in your workshop off course!

A good alternative is Halotron.

Menno

[eitnurg]

By far the best is Halon (ie the gas that fills it). Usually denoted by a green coloured bottle (or red with a green flash). Halon is a CFC and production stopped a couple of decades ago. Current extinguishers are from recycled stock of the gas: theoretically unavailable for many years, they are still used in aviation as simply nothing else comes close. They are out there, if you look in the right places.

[Mark Henry]

Bigger is better and Halotron is not Halon, it still leaves a residue.

Both sizes sold should get you out of the cockpit, but they won't put out a substantial fire.
In a substantial fire they may knock it down once, but reignition is very likely. Many fires are fuel pump under the car, pop your load in the wrong place and you may as well be pissing in the wind.

Chemical FE's will fuchs up you car, I had one in the VW bus, kid hit it just a little spritz in the backseat and my amp and speakers were toast. I was lucky that was all I lost.
Halon is getting super expensive and the hard install foam systems are over $5-600+ and can not be exposed to freezing temps.
Halon dissipates real fast, so again reignition is likely.

That said it's better than nothing.

Another one to look into is the Blazecut system sold by Jogr.

[Coondog]

[quote name='Mark Henry' date='Dec 24 2015, 04:20 AM' post='2280985']

pop your load in the wrong place and you may as well be pissing in the wind.






Sorry but I had to go there....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[EdwardBlume]

Sounds like changing fuel lines regularly is a better option....

[Mark Henry]

[quote name='Coondog' date='Dec 24 2015, 07:51 AM' post='2280992']
[quote name='Mark Henry' date='Dec 24 2015, 04:20 AM' post='2280985']

pop your load in the wrong place and you may as well be pissing in the wind.






Sorry but I had to go there....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)
[/quote]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Big Len]

How about CO2 extinguishers? They leave no residue.

[Mark Henry]

How about CO2 extinguishers? They leave no residue.

Again better than nothing, but like Halon it dissipates real fast, so again reignition is likely with a large fire.
It would beat it down, but once the can is empty any small spark and the fire will come right back.
Small bottles don't give you much fighting power/time, a 2 pounder is still a small extinguisher. A 1lb is almost a waste of time.

[Cracker]

I'm for them...

T

[NeunEinVier]

Never knew about the corrosive nature of typical extinguishers so it's definitely time to upgrade. Are these "good enough" for someone who doesn't want to hunt for Halon?
http://www.h3rperformance.com/halguard_products.htm

"HalGuard™ is no ordinary automotive fire extinguisher. It contains Halotron® 1, electrically non-conductive "clean" extinguishing agent that rapidly turns into a gas. Halotron® 1 has passed extensive testing by Underwriters Laboratories, and meets FAA requirements. It can be found on commercial aircraft, and is used by airport fire fighters and on the flight line."

[Amphicar770]

Between now and New Years, Zoro tools usually has a 25% - 30% sale on everything including halotron extinguishers with free shipping. I stocked up and have yet to find better pricing.

[NeunEinVier]

^ Good to know, thanks. I've bought from Zoro in the past and had a good experience.

[patssle]

you NEVER use a powder fire extinguisher in a car. The powder is very, very corrosive

I bet fire does more damage than powder! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[brant]

Halotron is 50 percent as effective as halon

Make sure you increase the bottle size if you go that route
I went up form a 2.5lb to a 5 lb in the street car when I freshened things last year

Also know that this works by displacing oxygen. On an open flame like an engine bay with a breeze you can not displace the oxygen long. The perfect setting for use is a computer room that is sealed and small. That's what the application was supposed to be. So don't expect it to surpress the fire once it dissipates into the atmosphere

Finally and most important: you will suffocate from halon much quicker than you think when it displaces the oxygen in your lungs. Get away from it. I had a friend with a 914/6 race car. He had a grid fire. He pulled the key for the bottle and started to take his belts off as the bottle was dumping. He passed out in the seat of a stationary car from the halon before he had finshed taking his belts off. The car was still burning and others had to drag him out of the car while he was unconscious. The car burned to the ground. Don't run a nozzle in the cockpit of a race car with a halon bottle (mine is now capped because of my friends experience). Don't dump the bottle while the car is still rolling. The breeze from motion will reduce the effectveness and you may pass out. Stop the car and trigger the system as you are safely out of the car

[skier2.0]

Hand held not very effective see results of 2 5lbs.

[skier2.0]

See above Photo note L/R the magnesium wheel (its the lump) no normal extinguisher will stop a magnesium fire.

[wes]

More confusing by the moment, still reading.

[thieuster]

you NEVER use a powder fire extinguisher in a car. The powder is very, very corrosive

I bet fire does more damage than powder! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Indeed, Halon is far more effective than Halotron. But halon is no longer allowed in many countries (including all EU countries). CO2 is also an alternative.

Have a look at your office/employers computers and data storage facility. Try to find out what kind of extinghuiser is used there. Most are CO2 or halotron. Absolutely no powder!

I agree that fire can do more damage than powder, but sadly it not 'or' but 'and': after putting out a small fire, the damage done by powder residues on all possible spots on your car will cause havoc. When you use powder inside a workshop, it's the end of your tools and there's a big chance that you'll have to replace all electrical power components like wall sockets etc. Don't ask how I know this...

Again, NEVER use powder.

Menno

[Mark Henry]

I did a fare bit of research on this not long ago

For a race car (drain system in winter or heated storage) or if you live in a area that never freezes a foam system is best, but not cheap.

I'm likely going to use a blazecut plus make damn sure all fuel lines and clamps are in good order and battery is secured.