Date:         Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:12:03 -0800
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Westy OEM fire extinguisher/Halon suppressant
In-Reply-To:  <D20CB9A9-8637-4880-9334-DA0164741266@dwx.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

 A couple of weeks ago when this thread was active I said I'd dig up some
info on Halon/Halotron type extinguishers at a local shop.  Well, I got
there (two blocks from home) and they had moved.  I found them at their new
location and finally got there yesterday to talk to them, especially about
group purchase.  Bottom line:  Halon seems to be available only in th 5 lb
bottles and up.  But Halotron, the Halon substitue, is avialable in the 2
1/2 lbs size.  Regular price of $98.50, discount 20% if buying 10 or more.
Estimate on shipping less than $20 for a total of about $100.  They knew
nothing of the Halon blend disposable units like these:
http://h3raviation.com/products-1211-1301-blend.htm that were mentioned
earlier and I couldn't find any purchase information on that type online.
But wait, there's more.  A few minutes ago in snooping around on the
Internet I found:
http://smokesign.com/2hafiex.html
Note no shipping from that source so total comes out about like the
discounted pricing from the local store.  A group buy of 10 or more at that
source looks even better.  But then they have to be distributed to the
members of the group buy.  So, other than a local group of ten people
getting together on a purchase we're right back to the shipping problem.
Summary:  From what I found (didn't put a lot of effort into this) a direct
purchase from smokesign.com would be the best solution for individuals on
this list.  And a little browsing might find an even better deal someplace.
I'm going to ask a source to check on the costs of the disposable Halon
blend units, if any good info I'll pass it along.

Second subject, Fire Ports.  The earlier discussion talked about the
possibility of adding a fire port somewhere near the Vanagon engine
compartment.  An Internet search shows several vendors for the marine
industry.  Since a West Marine store was close I went there today, looked at
their offering and bought it (have no idea where to put it or if I even
will).  Search the West Marine site on 'fire port' and it will come right
up.  It consists of a plastic piece that requires a 2" hole to mount and
four screws to hold it.  The center is soft, flexible plastic that is scored
across and you can push the nozzle of an extinguisher right through to
discharge the fire suppressant. (it is fully closed and sealed until it is
used) Properly placed (and maybe with a tube extension to get it into the
engine compartment) it would sure beat dealing with a hot hatch or license
plate door.  And could be mounted such as to put the suppressant at the
right place in the engine compartment.