Kurt:
I'll have to ask them what they are using.

You know someone who just "dumped the small bottle in." How did they pressurize the system? Sounds like whoever did that did many things incorrectly. TD's would have been before SPA started using whatever it is they use to hinder the freezing process.

 

All AFFF sytems will freeze if subjected to sustained exteme cold.
THe biggest advantage to the ESS System is it is user rechargeable at the track for about $60. If you discharge any other system your racing weekend is done. By the time you pay the shipping for a recharge (hazardous material) and pay for the recharge...you almost could have bought another new system. The ESS system works well as evidenced by Chris Bradys mishap at the 2006 National Nationals at Mid Ohio during a 944 race.

We are the eastern master warehouse distributor for ESS. Any ?? give us a call.

 

Was a system that was powered by a CO2 cart. The tank is not pressurized until the CO2 cart is punctured. The tank contained the small bottle of concentrate that was intended to be mixed with a quart or so of water thn added to the tank. Then a thin burst disk is placed over the fill/ output fitting. when you puncture the CO2 the gas pressurises the tank and forced the solution to pop the burst disk and flow out through the tubing. CO2 carts, cables, flip flop dip tubes, water and no way to tell if you have motive pressure by looking all added up to a "No thanks" for me.

 

Kurt:
The SPA systems have a pressure gauge on the bottle and do not utilize an external CO2 cartridge. The bottle is pressurized internally when serviced/filled.

 

I hate to ask this, but...

How does one determine if his Spa system has seen too much cold, i.e., if it froze.

 

Kai:
What I have been told by SPA, is if the bottle was last serviced prior to 2009, then it may freeze quicker than the anti-freeze AFFF and your bottle should be serviced if it has been exposed to prolonged temperatures at or near 0 degrees F. Since 2009 SPA has been using the anti-freeze AFFF in all their systems. If you have a system that was purchased or serviced after 2009 and you car was not exposed to near zero degrees F temps, then it should be OK.

If you car may be subjected to temperatures near 0 degrees F, then SPA recommends you remove the bottle from the car.

 

Thanks so much Mark.

Been lucky and the bottle is coming out within fifteen minutes!!!