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Fire extinguishers -- answers more than questions

I put a large box of baking soda in my cab after I had some wires burn on my engine a few years ago..better than nothing,but also not much I realize..
I've had numerous fire extinguishers over the years,in both my vehicles and house,but I have found them to be "dead" after a few years and useless--that is their big drawback,they sit unused for years,then the day you really need one,it wont spray..

If I had more money I'd just get rechargeable ones and have them emptied and refilled yearly..but instead I've just kept fire & theft on my auto insurance..:blush:..sometimes your better of just running away and letting it burn,than end up with a half burnt truck ..you can be injured or worse trying to put out a fire that wont go out when fueled by gas or oil,and the truck can be replaced,you cannot..
 
@bigjimmy82 really neat product but at $80 ea and the unusual operation I think a typical disposable unit might be better. Just considering the operation alone I think you might have problems if someone other than you tries to use one.

Great thread to bump. :thumb:
 
bigjimmy82 said:
Bumping this up, since I searched and it was helpful. Also leaving link to these new units, very slick.

Will have this mounted within reach of front seat occupants and a 5lb mounted on the back cage bars to grab from inside/outside as needed.

https://elementfire.com/pages/models
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I have been looking at these. I really like the form factor and the fact there is no upkeep. No mess afterwards either.
 
Never saw this thread before, I quickly perused it, and I will touch on some things I didn't see mentioned.

My facts may be slightly off since I did my firefighter training some years ago, but some things in life just stick with you.

Some stuff I remember that you may find useful...

The numbers before the alphabetical type designation (A, B, etc.) denote the square footage of fire that can be extinguished. For example, 1-A, 10-BC means the contents of that extinguisher should put out one square foot of combustible type A or ten square feet of type B and/or C.

I understand that space is a major consideration in a vehicle. You can see some quality extinguishers fit 5lb of material into an extinguisher whose body is the same size as their 7lb or 8lb content extinguisher-- go for the larger one, it will take up the same amount of room. If you run into a retail place and only glance at lowest prices and not contents, you may miss this fact.

CO2 extinguishers shouldn't be used in an enclosed area, or you need to plan a route to move out immediately afterward. The major mechanism through which they work is by depleting oxygen in the atmosphere. No oxygen = you will suffocate.
 
When I go to an auction, especially retail or restaurant liquidation I buy fire extinguishers. They are required to be checked and charged for these locations and are always good with tags. A quality 5# or 10# one is $100 easy new and I usually get them for about $15. They are the real nice commercial rechargeable types. I have them in all my vehicles, around the house and shop. I even have a few of the expensive purple K. This has been a great resource for a cheapskate.
 
HankScorpio said:
I even have a few of the expensive purple K. .
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Purple K FTW.... mine where under a hundy for the pair... worth it to me to save Mutt...



full
 
bigjimmy82 said:
Bumping this up, since I searched and it was helpful. Also leaving link to these new units, very slick.

Will have this mounted within reach of front seat occupants and a 5lb mounted on the back cage bars to grab from inside/outside as needed.

https://elementfire.com/pages/models
Click to expand...

Just watched this explained on Jay Leno’s garage and a demo too. Very interesting. Might have to get a couple. :waytogo:


 
rampage said:
Just watched this explained on Jay Leno’s garage and a demo too. Very interesting. Might have to get a couple. :waytogo:


Click to expand...

Thanks, just ordered one. It’s small enough to keep in my console. I had to get my old 5lb out today working on the fuel lines and figured it was about time to replace it.
 
Those do look impressive,and the fact they dont go south sitting,and wont suffocate you are all good features--too bad they cost so much though...kind of pricey for what they are..
Fire & Theft added on my auto insurance for a year costs less than one of those magic anti-fire sticks..:(
 
diesel4me said:
Those do look impressive,and the fact they dont go south sitting,and wont suffocate you are all good features--too bad they cost so much though...kind of pricey for what they are..
Fire & Theft added on my auto insurance for a year costs less than one of those magic anti-fire sticks..:(
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Fire damage can be only a couple hundred dollars if caught quickly. The question is, when your insurance company looks at the damage caused by a fire will they pay to have it repaired or total it? Would you be able to buy another car from the blue book value of your current car?
 
rampage said:
Fire damage can be only a couple hundred dollars if caught quickly. The question is, when your insurance company looks at the damage caused by a fire will they pay to have it repaired or total it? Would you be able to buy another car from the blue book value of your current car?
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All my cars are worth less than $3500 each, except the K5. Insurance is too expensive to have fire coverage on a $3500 car. I’ll save the insurance premiums and just take the chance and buy another one if it burns down. Fire extinguisher is going in the K5 though.
 
nvrenuf said:
really neat product but at $80 ea and the unusual operation I think a typical disposable unit might be better. Just considering the operation alone I think you might have problems if someone other than you tries to use one.

Great thread to bump. :thumb:
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Great point, I'm hoping the side of it has a quick illustration for users. It was the size/long term storage that got me.

Hope I never need it!
 
$80 is not expensive at all, especially if it outlasts a normal extinguisher and is safer.....

Losing your whole rig is expensive... Ive spent over $100 at the sand dunes on a fire extinguisher just because I had forgetten mine at home for the weekend and I got nervous. I now have 1 mounted to the dash bar, one down in between the seats (I can reach both while in my harnesses) and I have a another out back by the tail gate.

Oh and @cybrfire sells some really nice extinguisher mounts with spring loaded t handles that make grabbing them fast and a breeze.
 
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Used a dry type on a '68 Mustang Shelby GT once. (ETA: Wiring fire in engine bay.) Sure it was a mess but better than losing my car.

Also had a fuel line that sprayed gas on exhaust ('68 Fairlane GT) and put it out by batting at it with my hands while my buddy was screaming "get the h*ll away from there!" He was sure I was going to get burned. I had come home from work and he told me he fixed the fuel line I was going to replace before going out for a night of street racing. Funny because he couldn't change a tire. I didn't check it just drove off. Turned out he found a piece of clear plastic tubing in the trunk and thought it fit soooo...got us 7 miles to town before the gas ate through it. So I decided to keep an extinguisher in the car always.

Bad part was I, years later, placed one under the driver's seat. It rolled out onto the rear floorboard and my young son reached down and fired that mother off as I drove down the highway. Instant fog-out! Luckily he aimed it at the back of my seat instead of into his face (probably could have blind him.)

Lessons learned is:

1) I'd rather have a cheap extinguisher than none.

2) I do my own repairs and

3) mount that extinguisher where it can't roll around AND is in an accessible place! Won't do you any good if you have to dig it out or try to where find it rolled to.

4) Cleaning the dry chemical out of the engine compartment is way easier than getting it out of the whole interior of a vehicle! Believe me, that stuff goes EVERYWHERE! :eek1:
 
imiceman44 said:
I just watched the video and I think I am going to get some for all my vehicles.
The best thing is the fact it's not going bad sitting a couple of years
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The problem I have with the product is that I can't find any truly independent reviews. I found one guy who DID test it, didn't have particularly good luck, but the manufacturer/vendor had chimed into the thread. He had a video up of the testing, but it was taken down (apparently by the guy who wanted to run the test in the first place) without explanation that I found.

It just seems off. I'm not necessarily doubting the product, but if it's as revolutionary as it seems, one would think all sorts of safety devotees would be reviewing it. Every video I can find on youtube is the Jay Leno bit, or uploaded by Element. No expiration alone would mean this product would potentially save tons of money for many businesses.
 
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