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I hate it when this happens....

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Gliderman8

Gliderman8

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THIS :sorrow::grief:
 
I've been meaning to put a small fire extinguisher in my Healey, but I keep putting it off. I'll be doing it next weekend.

Keith
 
I have one in my 6... I bought it last year because it was required to have for a car show I attended. It never hurts to have one... only hurts if you don't have one.
 
Right down on the floor, between my legs. Never needed one for my own cars but the First Wife had occasion to use one on a burning school bus engine fire one time. Like the AX card: "Don't leave home without it!"

If we could afford Halon systems in all the cars, THAT would be in place, too.
 
This thread has prompted me to do some research. Searching the archives of this forum, it would appear that Halotron or Halguard extinguishers are the best. However, I don't see any listed in any local automotive stores. Where does one get such a thing?? I see that Moss has a 1.5 lb Halguard extinguisher for $200. Seems kind of small and kind of expensive. Are there other options?

Keith
 
Keith_M said:
.... I don't see any listed in any local automotive stores. .......... Seems kind of small and kind of expensive. .....
Click to expand...

Exactly why you don't see them in local automotive stores. Too much of a high-end specialty item.

If you want to buy one over the counter locally, look up fire extinguisher sales, service and repair shops in your area. (If you can't find a shop, ask your local fire department where to find one.) They probably won't have them off the shelf but can most likely order one.

Otherwise, google around. They're available through motorsports suppliers.



pc
 
PC said:
Exactly why you don't see them in local automotive stores. Too much of a high-end specialty item.

If you want to buy one over the counter locally, look up fire extinguisher sales, service and repair shops in your area. (If you can't find a shop, ask your local fire department where to find one.) They probably won't have them off the shelf but can most likely order one.

Otherwise, google around. They're available through motorsports suppliers.
pc
Click to expand...

Thanks. Called a local fire extinguisher place, and ordered one. Hopefully, they can find a 'shell' and refill it, but if not they can get me a new one.

It IS an expensive item, but significantly cheaper if you can get a used, refilled one.

Keith
 
While I have an extinguisher in the car - and my car isn't worth a Lambo, I have to say in case of fire I am standing well back and watching it burn. I love my car and have wrenched every nut and bolt but between gas tanks and the general futility of restoring a burnt car, I will console myself with the knowledge that it is for this very reason I carry insurance. Burn baby burn!
 
JPSmit said:
While I have an extinguisher in the car - and my car isn't worth a Lambo, I have to say in case of fire I am standing well back and watching it burn. I love my car and have wrenched every nut and bolt but between gas tanks and the general futility of restoring a burnt car, I will console myself with the knowledge that it is for this very reason I carry insurance. Burn baby burn!
Click to expand...

I would have to agree; any car as fully involved as the one in the video should be left alone until the fire trucks arrive. My thinking in carrying a small fire extinguisher within close reach is to put out the fire before it gets that bad. I admit that may be wishful thinking; I don't know much about how fast car fires spread, but I for one plan to cling to this potentially misguided notion solely for the peace of mind it affords. Hopefully, I'll never need the darn thing and it's sole use will be peace of mind.
 
By the way, I would advise you take the extinguisher and shake it every six months or so. Otherwise, it could become "stuck" and not operate.

I was told to do this by a local fire dept guy and I assume it's a useful thing to do.

I was at Lime Rock one time when a car hit a barrier and started burning. A friend pulled the extingusher out his race car (which read "Full") and attempted to spray the fire. But the extingusher had been sitting for several years (this was the first run for his race car in quite some time) so the extingusher did nothing. Fortunatley a second person arrived and put the fire out.
 
Did your friend have a dry chemical extinguisher? The powder tends to clump up after a while.

Whenever you see extinguishers in public buildings or commercial settings they always have service tags and need to be checked and serviced regularly.

Phase change extinguishers like Halon and CO2 don't do that.

Not sure what, if any, aging effects you see with them (leaks, stuck gauges, ...?) but it's definitely a good idea to check with the manufacturer and the service shop for recommended intervals.



pc
 
JPSmit said:
While I have an extinguisher in the car - and my car isn't worth a Lambo, I have to say in case of fire I am standing well back and watching it burn.
Click to expand...

My father's 70 beetle almost went up in smoke a few years ago, the gas line to the carb split (common problem). A quick squirt from the fire extinguisher put it out in seconds, with almost no damage, other than the paint hood.
I got a bunch of disposable extinguishers a few years ago, which look just like a spray paint can with halogens. The were fairly cheap. Single use only.
 
I discovered even silicone brake fluid burns when exposed to hot exhaust gas. A small extinguiser solved the problem before it became a big one.
 
It's nice to hear a few success stories! Still, I hope mine is nothing more than peace of mind.

Dougie, thanks for the link. I actually found it too, but not until after I had ordered one locally.
 
If you have an empty one and grandkids: make sure all the poweder is out, fill it half full of water, shoot less than 125 psi of air pressure back up the nozzel with the trigger depressed, release lever, stop air, hand to kids and watch them soak each other down. Those things will spray water far!
 
kellysguy said:
If you have an empty one and grandkids: make sure all the poweder is out, fill it half full of water, shoot less than 125 psi of air pressure back up the nozzel with the trigger depressed, release lever, stop air, hand to kids and watch them soak each other down. Those things will spray water far!
Click to expand...

Grandkids? You mean there are people in this forum old enough to have grandkids? :nightmare:
:playful:
 
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