Alan

Maybe I was unclear - opening the hood in any way is a really bad idea... Think through some other way - maybe a nozzle you can jam clean through the hood skin, maybe a tube from the front grille area (or a fender area) that bypasses the radiator and shoots at the top of the engine... something ready and easy to use...

Alan

SharkSkin

Alan, I agree... opening the hood even a little can let enough extra oxygen in to cause a big flare-up. Bad idea.

fraggle

Is there a site out there with some DYI's for this type of stuff? Suggested size tubing, nozzles, types, etc?
Might makea good project.

Alan

Not that I know of - however the permanently installed fire bottle systems with either manual or auto deployment are similar... check those for nozzles & plumbing.

However halon/halotron/CO2 deploy easily through fairly small bore pipes/tubes and it is much more important to emit up above the engine than any exact nozzle size/spray patterns etc

Alan

Sailmed

Here is a "proper" fire extinguisher for ya.

jcorenman

Looks a little large for a seat mount...

Alan

Here is the old thread with the details of the halon deployment system I made up:

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...eferrerid=6055

Alan

jeff spahn

I just bought a 2.5# cylinder, but I'm gonna put this on on my list for this summer to do like Alan did.

I want the same results as this, http://www.firefight1.com/prod_ss-100t.html

but with the portable flexibility Alan's has.

928SS

Not sure if an extinguisher is really at the top of my list as much as staying on top of maintence to prevent fires to begin with. The chances of being in a crash and needing a first aid kit/CPR training or a cell phone is probably a lot higher.

In fact, PCA has recently relaxed restrictions on some classes to not require an extinguisher because car fires are so rare at the track, even under severe racing conditions. But the cars do undergo a tech inspection before each event.

Perhaps a more diligent/proactive effort on maintenance would be better? ie, finding and replacing any cracked or older hoses before they break on a regular basis, solving and looking for potential electricial issues instead of ignoring them, etc.


Interestingly, new car fires are on the rise out here. They seem to be finding their way to the desert and spontainously combusting when their owners lose their jobs. Doubt it's due to mechanical issues though, lol.

Alan

I agree with you... but my car is as well maintained as I know how - I do also have decent knowledge of the car's critical systems, a full set of wiring diagrams, a repair kit, AAA towing membership, a first aid kit, cell phone, and CPR certification... however I think this just fits in with all of that in the 'Be Prepared' credo...

yes still a Boy Scout....

Alan

928SS

nothing wrong w/being prepared

fraggle

I just like the idea of building and designing the in-car system. Part of the hobby, I suppose.

Alan

Well I think thats a good plan and could certainly allow for more halon (5Lbs would fit easily in each front fender) and 'from-cabin' (electric/mechanical) deployment - but a hand held is still a lot more versatile - so I'd plan to have one of those as well - after all its true that even on your own car fires could happen in various places - not just under the hood... and then there are those other peoples cars...

It also may not always be immediately obvious that you are on fire... so detection warning methods are a good thing (fuel vapor detection, smoke detection, rate of temperature rise, absolute temp) - these sensors are individually available - be nice if there was an integrated warning system across multiple sensors to give a consolidated fire risk assessment... (after all false alarms from someone elses unburned fuel or smoke/diesel soot on the highway certainly can happen without anything being wrong with your car).

BTW if you are to deploy halon couple of things to think about....

Don't do it while you are moving - it will mostly end up behind you and you also run a risk the halon will get ingested and stall the motor - loosing power assist for steering/brakes etc...

When stopped you really need a way to stop the cooling fans from running (including the ignition off after-running) for the same reasons... You ideally just want to have a top down blanket of halon static around the engine to stop all combustion. Any front to rear flow through the engine compartment means you will need a whole lot more halon - which realistically means you might run out before the fire is out...

Alan

S4ordie

Sounds smart. Pics?

chewy8000

Pick your poison: http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/gro...upID=FIRESYSFB

I have the 10lb. system plumbed in the engine compartment and interior dash on both race cars and 928. May seem expensive but I find it well spent insurance. You simply pull a pin and hit a well placed button rather than running around with your hair on fire spraying a handheld in every direction. I also spend alot on good aftermarket gauges so I can see what the engine is doing. I never understand why people skimp on these?