Fire Extinguisher. Recharge or replace?

[Dennis H]

Not sure how old, maybe 5 years. The dial is flirting with recharge in the lower part of the green. Cost was pretty high IIRC. It’s probably low enough to be disqualified at the Texas Mile or Nevada whatever if I decide to pay 2 Grand or whatever the outrageous cost is for the privilege. This to see if the Hellcat really will go 202 mph as advertised.

Fire extinguishers join car covers, coffee, and other consumer goods only the wealthy can afford.

 

[70runner]

Recently recharged a Halguard H3R. Pretty pricey, about 3/4 cost of new unit.

 

[moparedtn]

If you were in my neck of the woods, I'd give ya an extinguisher Dennis....
What exactly is that one anyways?

 

[Dennis H]

HalGuard H3R. 2011. IIRC CoronetDarter and I each bought one at Spring Fling LA.

 

[moparedtn]

HalGuard H3R. 2011. IIRC CoronetDarter and I each bought one at Spring Fling LA.

Halotron then? Yeah, those are pricy, around $250 for a 2.5lb.

 

[69L48Z27]

When you hit a car with dry chem you‘ll wish you paid for Halotron. I bought two a couple years ago, I don’t recall them being that expensive.

To answer the question, you don’t recharge the little guys. Recharging and hydro testing is for volume extinguisher business not 2.5lb portables. It’s usually an exchange as well, not literally refurbing the extinguisher you carry in.

 

[Dennis H]

Element extinguisher? These events are stickler on tire, extinguisher, and expensive helmets. Looking for reasons to throw rookies out. Specify a metal bracket.

 

[moparedtn]

Element extinguisher? These events are stickler on tire, extinguisher, and expensive helmets. Looking for reasons to throw rookies out. Specify a metal bracket.

Our guys sell the 2.5lb halotron for around $230 w/bracket. Halotron recharges run about $58/lb.
Worth it on a car? I think so.
I've never become licensed in "bottles" or such (although many times "urged" to do so over 40+ yrs.
by employers), as I'm a fire sprinkler guy to the core (toss in backflow devices for another 30, too)....
but I know enough about FE's that I can sell and advise on them.
Buckeye and Amerex are favorite commercial brands; Ansul can kiss my ***.

 

[Dennis H]

Sounds like it must be a conventional abc powder to pass. Wish it was more clear. I did clean up powder for 10 years after an engine fire in the Coronet. So, no Halon and no Element.

 

[moparedtn]

Sounds like it must be a conventional abc powder to pass. Wish it was more clear. I did clean up powder for 10 years after an engine fire in the Coronet. So, no Halon and no Element.

View attachment 1372089

Well heck man, ABC's are cheap. You can buy those anywhere, including Wally World.
Downside: That monoammonium phosphate (yellow powder) is some nasty stuff to clean up
and can be quite corrosive if not cleaned up right away.
Keep in mind: a 2.5lb bottle gives you about 9 seconds of discharge....
I also recommend keeping the "clean" one in the car as long as it indicates charge on it.

 

[69a100]

Downside: That monoammonium phosphate (yellow powder) is some nasty stuff to clean up
and can be quite corrosive if not cleaned up right away.

Does that really matter after putting out a fire when's there's other destroyed items on the car that now need fixin??

 

[moparedtn]

Does that really matter after putting out a fire when's there's other destroyed items on the car that now need fixin??

Non sequitur question - reason being, in comparing types of extinguishers, the first understood
fact is that either are capable of extinguishing the fire - which they certainly are.

Point being - stuff that otherwise would not have been harmed by the event specific, can be damaged
by the "cure".
I've used them many times over the years in real-time.
As a result, I'd not have a problem with external use of an ABC on a car - but if I had something "clean" to use
on a fire underhood or under-dash, I'd sure as hell choose it first.
Not only am I concerned about the wiring, but the clean-up as well - if it gets into places you can't clean
it out of completely, it's gonna eat on stuff afterward.