Anyone running an on board system....maybe for competition ??
I've been contemplating an on-board under hood system just like they use in resturants.....2-10lb cylinders mounted on the firewall and piped along the radiator support rods with 2-3 nozzles total.
It could be activated 2 ways; 1- via heat activated valves (at certain temp a fuse blows and releases halon) or 2- a pull valve on the dashboard.
Any under hood fire could be extremely dangerous....when opening my hood the last time my Heep caught fire, the flames jumped 3 feet out from the front of the hood!! Fortunately I was quick enough to jump back and not get burnt. but I'm sure others have experienced the same thing.
I've spoken with my local Extinguisher co. and they could supply me with everything need to complete this task. The total outlay with 2-10lb Halons would be around $200.00-$250.00, plumbing could be done by myself.
Anyone have anything like this or have pics.....love to see em!!
Would love to get some valued opinions from the gurus on this board.....I know you guys are interested in safety 1st......fun 2nd!
TIA...

Summit racing used to sell a kit similar to what you are talking about for ~$200. I was going to run one in my Roadrunner, just never had the cash and the time.

I would put two handles, one for the driver, and one on the bumper in case the driver can't get to his.

he he, "on the bumper", better hide it and not tell anyone else it's there.

Isn't Halon illegal now? read that somewhere...

can't buy halon,,, but you don't want it anyway. you want a BC or an ABC for a system like that. a CO2 system might work but you need more of enclosed area. since the onboard system more than likey would not be pointed at the base of the fire.

pick and choose your weapon!!
with whichever kind of ext. used, with a V8 in a YJ, one nozzle on each side bar sitting over the valve cover and facing toward the carb, and one over the top of the radiator facing same way, it should put out even a very large fire (hopefully), still better than trying to open the hood and use a small hand held to put it out!

The restaurant one is all wrong for a truck. There are marine set ups made just for engine compartments.

Go here
http://www.hsfire.com/fea-pg1.html

There called fyrewatch. I have one for my boat and get 50.00 my insurance every year for having it.

Scout......how are they activated?? the same way as a rest. can they be set off either way? Thanks for the info.

Originally posted by ItsaCJ6
can't buy halon,,, but you don't want it anyway. you want a BC or an ABC for a system like that. a CO2 system might work but you need more of enclosed area. since the onboard system more than likey would not be pointed at the base of the fire.

You can buy halon... so you got that wrong... they just cant make any new stuff. But there is more than enough stuff left to go around.

Since you got that wrong... explain why halon would be wrong. Seems like boats, airplanes and other transportation services use it as the end all solution.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Originally posted by 1BDYJ
Scout......how are they activated?? the same way as a rest. can they be set off either way? Thanks for the info.

They go off by heat and you can add a manual trigger.

www.westmarine.com has them as well.

I was under the assumption (hate to do it) that Halon takes the oxygen away from a fire and by starving a fire of oxy, it puts it out faster. Hope I got that right!!
BTW....I'm a garage owner not a fireman!!

Originally posted by Malltero


You can buy halon... so you got that wrong... they just cant make any new stuff. But there is more than enough stuff left to go around.

Since you got that wrong... explain why halon would be wrong. Seems like boats, airplanes and other transportation services use it as the end all solution.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

After reading your post and reading this doc
http://nmeri.unm.edu/CGET/Faa1pap.pdf

and knowing that I had to throw away my Halon extinguisher and buy a Halotron one make me think something is up. Care to fill in the non experts?

Originally posted by Malltero


You can buy halon... so you got that wrong... they just cant make any new stuff. But there is more than enough stuff left to go around.

Since you got that wrong... explain why halon would be wrong. Seems like boats, airplanes and other transportation services use it as the end all solution.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Well you can't buy it here anymore OR/WA we are eco freindly

The main reason is its a light gas and disipates very quickly. so one shot is it. so if your fire rekindles your toast again.

secondly if your engine bay isnt closed up its all gone right away.

CO2 would have more volume but the same problem

Foam would be perfect but not cheap.

BC and ABC leave a slight residual and continue to help prevent re-kindles for bit longer than a gas exstinguisher

so why exaclty is halon illegal? I'm assuming it is some enviromental issue...

Originally posted by BrettM
so why exaclty is halon illegal? I'm assuming it is some enviromental issue...

The ozone...

But I dont see why you guys have to throw away your old halon exstinguishers... I have one in my garage that I just got tested and refilled.

They just arent suposed to make any new halon under the laws. Which means any reclaimed halon from old extinguishers, or any premade halon is good to use, Legally.

I think Halon does a good job of displacing the oxygen, it has alot less flare ups after use than co2 would.

If you hit a blast of halon under a sealed hood... its not going to catch back on fire.

My work had to get rid of thousands of dollars worth of halon equipment a while back. It is an enviremental thing. Of course, I too live in Washington, where it is illegal now.
Shaggy

Go to http://www.h3r.com/index.htm you can still get Halon there. I bought a couple of Halon extinguisher there just last month.

Love that Halon. :) :)

So just how much Halon is contained in a "10" lb bottle? Is there
ten lbs of air or is this just a 10 lb sized dry fill bottle with come compressed Halon in it. If so at what pressure. Just trying to get a feel for how much Halon comes out when you pull the trigger. My brother has a Halon system in his Cobra. Has one nozzle in under the hood, one in the interior and one in the trunk over the ATL fuel cell. Sounds like from an earlier post you need 3 nozzles under the hood. He has not used the system so it would be nice to know the thing will work. Should 3 nozzles be used under the hood to work effectively and how many nozzles will a 10 lb bottle support?

Jason :)

Halon is a CHFC (Clorohydrofluorocarbon) just like freon and therefore subject to the same regulations/phasing out bythe EPA.
Problem with using an ABC system under hood is the powder is quite corrosive and will ruin cumputer components and wiring.

Originally posted by Brutpwr
So just how much Halon is contained in a "10" lb bottle? Is there
ten lbs of air or is this just a 10 lb sized dry fill bottle with come compressed Halon in it.
Jason :)

Jason,

I doubt he really needs 3 nozzles under a hood. There is not alot of air in there to begin with... one nozzle would work fine, imho.

Anyway, if you get a 10lb extinguisher... it will have 10 pounds of halon, and probally about an extra 6 or seven pounds for container weight as well. 16lb combo.

Its just like co2... my co2 tank holds 20lb's... but it weights alot more than that.:D

Cool...I've been interested in these systems ever since my brother got his but had no idea of the effectiveness. I understand the concept but was wondering just how much gas is discharged. Also if your in the cockpit when the thing discharges do you have to hold your breath or do you starve for air!!! Is the Halon in the tank a liquid or is it all gas.

Thanks,
Jason :)