CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Fire Extinguishers

I have carried a dry chemical for years, but they never seem to get into all of the vehicles. I just ordered a couple of the Element brand ones from Xtreme Diesel Performance. They shipped one and backordered 1. Time will tell how this works out. They were $79 each. I would like to try one out for peace of mind, but $$.
 
I have carried a dry chemical for years, but they never seem to get into all of the vehicles. I just ordered a couple of the Element brand ones from Xtreme Diesel Performance. They shipped one and backordered 1. Time will tell how this works out. They were $79 each. I would like to try one out for peace of mind, but $$.

Don’t forget to post a video. :deal:
And maybe do two different fires, a chemical and regular combustible since it seems like one Element for one fire is overkill.
 
The only problem I've seen discussed for the element is how people employ it. (Well, and initial cost)

It seems people want to get right up on the fire, and aim at the base as is taught with "regular" extinguishers, but that leads to less than optimal results with these.

Only thing I dislike is that they aren't good when they get wet. And the K5 rains inside when conditions are right. A PVC tube would be an easy fix, but also another barrier to employing it.
 
I don't know what level of wetness they have been tested to. This is from their website.

The initial cost is higher for sure, but the other factors or not having residue everywhere and storage size are definitely worth more money. As long as it works.

Screenshot_20200722-073409_Chrome.jpg
 
I don't know what level of wetness they have been tested to. This is from their website.

The initial cost is higher for sure, but the other factors or not having residue everywhere and storage size are definitely worth more money. As long as it works.

View attachment 346789

If I were to seriously think about using one of those I would look for a non biased source of information on the product. I have a hard time trusting those being in the middle of the forest wheeling or camping.

My extinguishers are serviced and certified annually with the others at my shop and office building so I have a higher level of confidence with their capabilities.
 
If I were to seriously think about using one of those I would look for a non biased source of information on the product. I have a hard time trusting those being in the middle of the forest wheeling or camping.

My extinguishers are serviced and certified annually with the others at my shop and office building so I have a higher level of confidence with their capabilities.
I wouldn't look at one of those as a stand alone product. Only as an additional part of my fire extinguisher program. Much like you don't only carry one shackle, or one wrench.

I think i might buy one for my chevelle. And my trucks. But those only would only service as additional backup to my ABC extinguisher.
 
Ya, I wasn't planning on pulling the dry chemical one out of my '90. I don't have mine serviced by anyone, but I do check them and turn them upside down and fluff the powder.
I had a guy tell me that procedure isn't necessary anymore. But I don't want to chance it. Am I wrong?
 
Ya, I wasn't planning on pulling the dry chemical one out of my '90. I don't have mine serviced by anyone, but I do check them and turn them upside down and fluff the powder.
I had a guy tell me that procedure isn't necessary anymore. But I don't want to chance it. Am I wrong?
Just have it serviced.

Your shop should have some that should be checked per ohsa anyway. See if you can slide yours in.
 
Ya, I wasn't planning on pulling the dry chemical one out of my '90. I don't have mine serviced by anyone, but I do check them and turn them upside down and fluff the powder.
I had a guy tell me that procedure isn't necessary anymore. But I don't want to chance it. Am I wrong?

its a annual requirement for our office so I have them certify another dozen personal extinguishers while he’s here. Cheap insurance.
 
I hired the guy who goes and does the service at businesses to come out and service my neighbor and I's extinguishers. According to him, as long as the pressure gauge is showing in the normal range, they really don't need to be serviced. If it's holding the pressure, it means it's a gas tight seal and nothing has gotten in the tank, and everything is the way it was when it was last serviced, so it will work. Made sense to me, and I can't think why he wouldn't tell the truth on that.

The wind issue is a consideration. As soon as mine come in, I'll test one and post up. I'm not going to trust it until I see it work, so I might as well burn a hundred dollar bill and see if I can put a fire out.
 
I hired the guy who goes and does the service at businesses to come out and service my neighbor and I's extinguishers. According to him, as long as the pressure gauge is showing in the normal range, they really don't need to be serviced. If it's holding the pressure, it means it's a gas tight seal and nothing has gotten in the tank, and everything is the way it was when it was last serviced, so it will work. Made sense to me, and I can't think why he wouldn't tell the truth on that.

there is some truth to that but it’s cheap insurance and a piece of mind to have them inspected and certified by a trained technician. Im able to certify all of my personal extinguishers cheaper than one of those element sticks cost.
 
there is some truth to that but it’s cheap insurance and a piece of mind to have them inspected and certified by a trained technician. Im able to certify all of my personal extinguishers cheaper than one of those element sticks cost.
I understand that point, but I honestly am wondering about the less mess aspect. Interior mess is what I am thinking about for sure, but possibly under hood as well.
 
I understand that point, but I honestly am wondering about the less mess aspect. Interior mess is what I am thinking about for sure, but possibly under hood as well.

I have only used one under the hood and the mess was the least of our concerns. However the cooked paint, fried harness & melted rubber really sucked.
 
I understand that point, but I honestly am wondering about the less mess aspect. Interior mess is what I am thinking about for sure, but possibly under hood as well.
Only a guy that wheels with the ac on would be worried about the mess.
The real mess comes from melted and burned everything.
 
Last edited:
Only a guy that wheels with the ac on would be worried about the mess.
The real mess comes from melted and burned everything.
So if you were out on a trail, had a fire inside the cab, got it put out, would you want to ride in the cab with the the chemical while it gets towed off the trail, or possibly driven out? The truck has to be dealt with somehow, and making things even slightly less toxic would be a plus. I have been around plenty of burned vehicles in the past, not pleasant.
So I personally am fine with buying something else to have along which may be less toxic to deal with. Obviously not everyone will agree.
 
So if you were out on a trail, had a fire inside the cab, got it put out, would you want to ride in the cab with the the chemical while it gets towed off the trail, or possibly driven out? The truck has to be dealt with somehow, and making things even slightly less toxic would be a plus. I have been around plenty of burned vehicles in the past, not pleasant.
So I personally am fine with buying something else to have along which may be less toxic to deal with. Obviously not everyone will agree.
Wonder how well compressed air would work to lift that mess out?

Having used an extinguisher in a shop, I loathe the idea of having to clean it out of a vehicle, especially in the circumstances you mentioned
 
So if you were out on a trail, had a fire inside the cab, got it put out, would you want to ride in the cab with the the chemical while it gets towed off the trail, or possibly driven out? The truck has to be dealt with somehow, and making things even slightly less toxic would be a plus. I have been around plenty of burned vehicles in the past, not pleasant.
So I personally am fine with buying something else to have along which may be less toxic to deal with. Obviously not everyone will agree.
I will try to say this a different way. If I have to steer my truck to get it off of the trail, I am will to pay more than $80 to not have to breathe more crap into my lungs while doing so. A small breeze could blow it around and I don't want it if possible. That's my preference, not expecting total agreement on it.
@Bent77 I would say that a dust mask would be desired if you were to use compressed air to blow it out. The cloud that I have seen from hauling a vehicle down the road as the chemical powder blows out is surprising.
 

Latest Posts

Top Bottom