Beetles and Fires?

[Q-Dog]

The original group 42 battery not only has recessed terminals, it is also one of the shortest automotive starter batteries available.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[hulbyw]

From the photos it looks like it may be an incorrect battery for a Beetle. I would have thought it should have a battery with recessed terminals with insulation over the positive. If it were mine I would also re route or lengthen the yellow/red trace earth wire so it doesn't stretch across the positive terminal as well.
Cheers

[MichaelRecycle]

Thank you.

I bought some terminal covers (and a fire extinguisher!) and I've got a rubber mat I'm going to put down, too.

Also, you're right-- that strap is toast. Thanks so much for the tip.

[birddog1]

[MichaelRecycle]

Hi, all.

I'm new-- I hope I'm posting in the right place.

I recently bought a '74 Super Beetle. While out riding around with my son in the back, he noticed the metal bar that spans the base of the back seat was getting hot on the battery side. Is this normal? Is the heat coming from the battery?

I've included photos here of the battery's current state; I'm hoping someone here can offer some advice.

Thank you!

[Mavans]

True... a class D extinguisher can put out a metal fire if you can completely cut off all oxygen from the metal by smothering it with powder. Takes a large extinguisher for a very small amount of metal. Not something feesible for a car extinguisher. It's been many years since my fire fighting training, but I seem to remember you needed like a 5 to 1 ration of powder to metal (weight) to have a chance of putting it out.

[EVfun]

Class D fires extinguisher is used for metal fires. They are not common or cheap.

They will not work on burning lithium batteries as those carry their own oxidizer. I mention this only because some of those are making their way into motorsports as high current light car batteries.
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[Mavans]

[scottyrocks]

I bought a class B/C, 2.5 lb. unit at Ace yesterday. It's in the car behind the driver's seat.

I also checked the fuel lines in the engine bay. Everything looks new and properly fastened.

[scottyrocks]

What a great thread. I'll be checking everything this weekend, especially that pass-through, most likely ordering new lines, purchasing a class B extinguisher, and mount it in the car.

I see no problem with using a grommet, as long as it is checked regularly.

The first step to preventing catastrophes, before even doing routine checks, is knowing what to look for.

[joseph928]

Found a good use for my 2nd drink holder, my fire extinguisher. And no holes to drill, real easy to get out.

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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.

[don't_bug_me]

I can't believe it's 2013 and people are still burning up their vw's
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70 Street Baja http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566113

"Necessity is the mother of invention"

[Hyperspace]

Found another fire vector on my beetle when I installed the painted fuel tank. There is a braided vent hose that runs almost in parallel to the fuel inlet pipe.... right underneath this fuel gas filled braided line runs a fat cord of elecrical wires, mine had a burn in like RIGHT underneath the braided hose....
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If you can't fix it with a hammer, it is an electrical fault.

Photo's http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Hyperspace&show_results=summary

[VolkzBitz]

I can install the screwed in barbed fitting.

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http://volkzbitz.com
Quality VW Solex carburetor restoration
[email protected]

Der Vergaser Meister

[1970VWGUY]

this says the fuel line for a 70 bug is 3.5mm...so where do we find out what size hose we need?

http://www.carid.com/1970-volkswagen-beetle-fuel-delivery-parts/item-7842965.html

[1970VWGUY]

Know Your Fire Extinguisher ABCs

Fires are classified based on the type of fuel involved. Likewise, portable fire extinguishers are classified by the type of fires they are designed to extinguish. There are five basic classifications of fuel and extinguishers, and extinguishers are labeled with either letter-shaped or pictorial symbols that indicate what types of fires they are intended for.

Classifications of Fires and Extinguishers

more here

http://www.utexas.edu/safety/fire/extinguishers/abcs.html

[1970VWGUY]

Something nobody thought about....doesn't the new gasoline with ethanol eat rubber...ruin carbs...eat hoses....

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=84105.0


Looks like fuel line replacement should be a yearly event....

[1970VWGUY]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-BBC-350-Chrome-Fuel-Fi...0799774435

http://www.kartek.com/Product/1078/FRAM-High-Performance-Fuel-Filter.aspx

[1970VWGUY]

What about a big filter that bolts to something and wouldn't hang off the carb?

I just googled the MB clamps...they do look much neater than the ordinary hose clamps we all use..

[Helirich]

Somewhere in this thread, I saw where someone recommended a fire extinguisher rated for burning metal. I went to Lowes and didn't see anything like that. Where do you get a small one like that?