Author |
Message |
squeegee_boy Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2008 Posts: 762 Location: Langley, BC, Canada
|
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 5:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have a 5-lb CO2 extinguisher. Bulky, but puts flames out nicely and has the added advantage of cooling things off really fast. Plus no residue.
I had to use it in anger about 2 months ago; my PS hose burst and sprayed ATF all over my muffler, which then ignited. The CO2 unit put it out with plenty of capacity left over.
A lot less money than a Halotron unit (at least here in BC), but again it *is* bulky.
Robyn _________________ 1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit
1971 Super Beetle with an EJ22. Oh yes. Daily driver |
|
Back to top |
|
|
DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
|
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 6:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I don't think that the size (excess bulk) nor the after affects of dousing a fire should be a consideration. I think that economics are a major factor whether we like it or not. Facts are that the chances of a fuel fire are increased in these vans and yes we can do lots to decrease those chances with upgrading and a keen eye but things are going to happen for reasons we can't even imagine.
I'm petrified of fire of any kind and so I could rule out small size and light weight. I bought first one of top quality and then later I found an additional one because I had the opportunity AND you only need it once to have payback, only once for yourself or someone else.
Clean up, who cares, like at least you'll have something to clean up and vinegar and water clean just about anything. These vans are all about elbow grease anyway. Buy good and buy big. IMHO _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
|
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
And if you've got a dozen cars, what the hell is a couple more bucks on the ultimate fire insurance--Halon?
You'd probably spend more on chrome, hot rod stuff & accessories than you would on the best fire fighting equipment.
It sure doen't take much of the Halon to snuff out a blazing gas fed inferno.
This is why most higher end yachts come with an automatic Halon system installed in the engine room.
Before you know there's a fire it's already been extinguished--much more critical than a Vanagon engine compartment.
Poof--It's out!!
The Hungarian A team places his vote for the Halon--hands down better in every count regardless of the price difference _________________ T.K. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
|
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
you can buy 2 halon extinguishers for the price of one SA Grill kit... _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
msewalson Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2009 Posts: 544 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
|
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Being a professional fire fighter I'll throw in my 2 cents. First Halon is no longer manufactured due to health and environmental issues. Halotron is a replacement for Halon and has the same extinguishing properties. It is non corrosive and also pricey. Alternative would be a dry chemical BC extinguisher which uses sodium bicarbonate and is also non corrosive. Or a CO2 extinguisher which has already been stated. Yes the ABC extinguishers which use mono ammonium phosphate is corrosive but will extinguish a fuel fire if it is the appropriate size. Which brings up a good point, the bigger the extinguisher the more fire it will extinguish. So go big or go home, purchase the biggest one you can afford and read the manufactures instructions for maintenance. Store it in the van and hope you never have to use it. And if you do remember PASS. Also do not use water, unless you want a nice fire works display. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
stclair411 Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2009 Posts: 222 Location: working on it
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
stclair411 Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2009 Posts: 222 Location: working on it
|
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
msewalson wrote: |
Being a professional fire fighter I'll throw in my 2 cents. First Halon is no longer manufactured due to health and environmental issues. Halotron is a replacement for Halon and has the same extinguishing properties. It is non corrosive and also pricey. Alternative would be a dry chemical BC extinguisher which uses sodium bicarbonate and is also non corrosive. Or a CO2 extinguisher which has already been stated. Yes the ABC extinguishers which use mono ammonium phosphate is corrosive but will extinguish a fuel fire if it is the appropriate size. Which brings up a good point, the bigger the extinguisher the more fire it will extinguish. So go big or go home, purchase the biggest one you can afford and read the manufactures instructions for maintenance. Store it in the van and hope you never have to use it. And if you do remember PASS. Also do not use water, unless you want a nice fire works display. |
Where are you a Fireman? I with the DCFD, assigned to Rescue 1. Nice to meet you! _________________ 1987 Syncro Westy "June" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
msewalson Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2009 Posts: 544 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
|
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 5:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'm with the Grand Junction Fire Department. My home station is station 1 which houses Truck 11, Rescue 11, Ambulance 11, Ambulance 16 and Battalion 11. FILO |
|
Back to top |
|
|
bluebus86 Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 11075
|
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 9:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
Terry Kay wrote: |
And if you've got a dozen cars, what the hell is a couple more bucks on the ultimate fire insurance--Halon?
You'd probably spend more on chrome, hot rod stuff & accessories than you would on the best fire fighting equipment.
It sure doen't take much of the Halon to snuff out a blazing gas fed inferno.
This is why most higher end yachts come with an automatic Halon system installed in the engine room.
Before you know there's a fire it's already been extinguished--much more critical than a Vanagon engine compartment.
Poof--It's out!!
The Hungarian A team places his vote for the Halon--hands down better in every count regardless of the price difference |
bad assumption, I dont spend any thing on chrome nor hotrod stuff. (my chrome is pitted or less then perfect on my cars, but at least it is orginal german chrome) With a dozen cars I have no money left over for bling My finances are my personal bussiness. not for you to decide.
I just offer a less expensive alternative to halon or haltron for folks that have budget considerations like me. For a big fancy yacht (far beyond my means) it will be up to the yacht owner what kind of system he or she wants to install. I am sure millionare yacht owners have to budget also. I know CO2 systems are also common in Yachts as a cheaper alternative to halon. even millionare have to watch their budgets.
I dont have an extra $200 times 12 = $2400 laying around. even if i did I would not choose to put a halon in every car, rather i'd probably invest that money in another vintage VW with the money I saved by buying the less expensive but none the less effective extingusher.
it is simply a mater of choice, and so long as I get the fire out I rather save my money for other things.
When I have to use an extingusher i dont care about the clean up cause my labour to clean up is free. it is not a factor in consideration for me. when cleaned up prompty there is no damage, so whats your beef do you really want to dictate halons for everyone and assume we all can afford it based on the number of cars we own? maybe you should analyze my investments and bank accounts, loans and income and determine for me what I should buy. seeing as you are so wise why not?
good greif, I give a less expensive alternative and get shot down by you . Now your questioning my finacial choices. why are you pushing halon so much, you sell them? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
westyventures Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2004 Posts: 2306 Location: Oregon Outback
|
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Every one of my vehicles has a halon or halotron extinguisher. Small one in the motorcycle tank bag, 9-pounders in the two campers, 11-pounder for the Karmann Gipsy (more wood, more wires), and a couple large ones for the apt. and shop. I've never paid more than $100 for any of them. Used, recharged units. The best deal lately was a Halotron 11-lb that had no bidders - got it for $79 NEW. Watch eBay, the deals pop up there from time to time. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Noganav T3 Samba Member
Joined: August 11, 2010 Posts: 101 Location: California
|
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
A burned up van is pretty hard to clean up. So whatever you use don't let it burn. Carry a dry chemical if you have nothing else, if you have a small halon the license plate hole will be hugely effective.
The bad news about the powder is it cakes inside the unit and you may have squat when you press the trigger.
Halon are very very reliable if its years and years which it usually is.
carry both! and do all you can to change the fuel lines and inspect.
I still say a sheet of 1/4 hardie backer cement board, REI fire blanket, or sheet metal over the fiberglass lid! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Wolfram Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2005 Posts: 184 Location: Waiheke Island/On The Road USA
|
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you everyone. I got a Halotron unit off eBay per Karl's advice.
Geoff |
|
Back to top |
|
|
PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6242 Location: Portland OR
|
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
Noganav T3 wrote: |
I still say a sheet of 1/4 hardie backer cement board, REI fire blanket, or sheet metal over the fiberglass lid! |
Fire could still travel up the rear pillars and start a fire in the interiou. If you have air conditioning, there's the hose holes too. It would very difficult to fire proof the engine compartment and still allow the proper airflow. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dark Alley Dan Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2005 Posts: 184 Location: The Land of Wind and Ghosts (AKA Edmonton, AB)
|
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
http://forums.volksworld.com/showthread.php?t=366
What think you folks of this? Is there anything like this available in N. America? _________________ Dark Alley Dan
______________________
I blame rap music. For everything. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
msewalson Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2009 Posts: 544 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
fleff Samba Member
Joined: November 25, 2007 Posts: 119 Location: Texas
|
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 4:54 pm Post subject: Re: Westy Fire Extinguisher |
|
|
Wolfram wrote: |
Need to replace the FE in the Westy. Is there an exact replacement that clips in to the original spot?
Geoff
88 Westy, 257K |
Where IS the original spot. I need to get an extinguisher myself. I've read this entire thread and I'm with the Halon folks. No mess, better at putting out fires and safer for humans. They do, however, lose pressure over time and one needs to get them refilled. _________________ '76 VW Campmobile
'98 VW Passat
'69 Piper Comanche |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Wolfram Samba Member
Joined: June 23, 2005 Posts: 184 Location: Waiheke Island/On The Road USA
|
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 5:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Attached to the pillar behind the passenger seat |
|
Back to top |
|
|
iiigoiii Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2008 Posts: 307 Location: Bay Area, CA
|
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 4:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
personally, i like this little unit. 99 cents and it doubles as a 3rd brake light.
_________________ 1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg Ed. w/ Subaru EJ22 power |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
|
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Boy--the best of both---
How in the heck did you run into that ad with a madman at the keyboard??
Funny stuff. _________________ T.K. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9797 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
|
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
Y'all got me thinking and I went out to the garage to check the extinguishers in the cars.
1-missing
1-BC but old & gauge reading low
1-BC of unknown age but I can still get internal movement with a shake and gauge in the green
1-Halon in the Westy, gauge in the green -- I'm stunned & pleased. No idea where that came from as I still have the original somewhere
Thanks for getting me to do something about this (and learning that I am at least prepared for the worst in the van). |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|