Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 16:02:00 -0500
Reply-To: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Westy OEM fire extinguisher
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What's nice about Halon is that if you partially discharge the
extinguisher, you can use it again with out fear of gradually losing
pressure. A dry-chem is all done even if you just touch the trigger and let
a little bit of powder out; it gets on the o-ring seal in the shut-off
valve. This allows the nitrogen propellant to slowly leak out, rending it
useless until recharged (if non-plastic head) or replacement is necessary
(if plastic, which is non-refillable). Halon could be used a few times if
used judiciously. Also, the 12 year shelf life is tied to the
legally-required hydro-test due-date of the cylinder, not of the agent,
which is good forever. So, if well maintained and kept protected from
damage or corrosion, it'd actually still work fine well after 12 years has
passed.
I used to work full-time servicing and inspecting Halon 1301 total
flooding systems in computer rooms, etc., but now only work on them
occasionally. Many companies have converted over to FM-200 or Inergen
'clean agents', and gotten rid of the Halon. Most of the aviation community
still use thier Halon, as nothing else beats it pound-for-pound in weight,
effectiveness and lack of clean-up requirements like dry-chem. One shot of
dry-chem into a running engine and it's time for rebuild due to the
grittiness of the particles getting ingested into the engine. But Halon
will douse it immediately with no damage or agent clean-up. (can you tell
what I'm sold on?)
I always carry a Halon in my VW's everywhere I roam...........and you
should too!
HTH,
Mike B.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ellen" <elleninoregon@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 7:51 AM
Subject: Re: Westy OEM fire extinguisher
Halon 1211/1301 blend....less expensive than a straight rechargeable Halon
1211 extinguisher, but does have a 12 year life limit. I figure what we use
on our helicopters is probably good enough for my Lola.
http://www.h3raviation.com/products-1211-1301-blend.htm
Ellen
Lola, '85 Vanagon ASI
Last camping trip: 12/28-12/30 Astoria, Oregon> Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008
21:44:56 -0700> From: azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET> Subject: Westy OEM fire
extinguisher> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > Having recently replaced the
fuel lines in my '88 Westy got me to wondering about fire> extinguishers and
the one that comes with the Westy. Wondering:> How many still have the OEM
unit?> How many have had to use it on a fire in the van and did it still
work?> Anyone just decide to test it and see if it still worked?> A search
of the archives turns up lots of stuff, but nothing too recent.> > A
disadvantage of the dry-chemical type seems to be cleanup and corrosion
afterward.> I believe there is at least one company still selling halon
extinguishers on-line, but> they are expensive. I think Larry Chase bought
one.> > There are also at least two new, small aerosol-type extinguishers,
that claim longer> spray time, wider application and easier cleanup, and
also claim to be approved> replacements for halon, good on class A and B
fires. They cool the area and> encapsulate the fire.> One is Flame-Out from
Summit Engineering, the other is the Tundra from First Alert.> Anyone have
any real experience with them?> > Thanks,> Jerry
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