Vehicle Fire Extinguisher?

[shake'n'bake]

http://www.firesupplydepot.com/fire-extinguishers.html
That is what make this extinguisher unique, it is an AB extinguisher.

A class C extinguishers intended use is for energized eletrical equipment, therfore once there is no current flowing in the wires or chips the fire is only being fueled by the insulation of the wires.

I could be wrong, but it makes sense in my mind

 

[gearbox]

I see your point, however a lot of expedition electronics aren't run off of the ignition circuit. I think most people run CBs, GPSes, air compressors, and even some inverters and winches off of the battery directly (or at least through a fuse box/distributor/isolator).


I think an ABC would be best for expo purposes also, since we're literally anywhere and everywhere, just like a fire would be. It's more likely I'd need it for somebody elses vehicle (at least until I attempt my own electrical upgrades!), a bad propane or fuel stove, spilled fuel or oil, or an emergency campfire control.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

The wiring and chips are still electrical, not wood. They don't make AB extinguishers.

I'm running a 1lb Kiddie BC marine extinguisher. My theory is if I can't put it out with my extinguisher and the help of others who are in the expo, it wasn't meant to be.

Thats my philosophy too. Except I carry (at a minimum) two 5# 3A:40B:C rated extinguishers, often add a 20# 40A:120B:C extinguisher, and a 2 1/2 gallon PW extinguisher rated at 4A: Plus a shovel and Pulaski.

I don't plan on the fire winning easily.

 

[craig333]

No afff in your 2.5er? Slacker, is in mine

The C rating is intended for the protection of fire extinguisher wielder, not the equipment. Assuming you're running 12 volts its not something you need to be concerned with in a vehicle.

 

[01tundra]

I carry a 2.5# halon & 5# ABC inside the cab and a 2.5# ABC in the bed, no room for anything else at this point......

 

[Antichrist]

You might want to look around your area for shops/people who recharge them and see what they have. For instance, a local firefighter who has a recharge business on the side has tons of used fire extinguishers for pretty cheap, compared to new. These would be older ones that are all metal, as opposed to the plastic valve crap you find in most stores.
I have an old General (went out of business in 2001) that he's recharged for me several times (I'm amazed at how many car fires there are around atlanta LOL).

 

[java]

i have a 3.25 lb ABC i keep in the truck. a halon would make a nice addition at some point. i also think a BC would generally be fine as we all usually carry water for A fires

 

[007]

Thats my philosophy too. Except I carry (at a minimum) two 5# 3A:40B:C rated extinguishers, often add a 20# 40A:120B:C extinguisher, and a 2 1/2 gallon PW extinguisher rated at 4A: Plus a shovel and Pulaski.

I don't plan on the fire winning easily.

I totally agree, in the few times I've had to use an extinguisher I was amazed out how little there was left - if anything when I finished.

If you were the first on scene to a car wreck that was already ablaze it would take some serious horsepower to put that baby out.

Go big

 

[SunTzuNephew]

I totally agree, in the few times I've had to use an extinguisher I was amazed out how little there was left - if anything when I finished.

If you were the first on scene to a car wreck that was already ablaze it would take some serious horsepower to put that baby out.

Go big

Yeah. Big like one of those 45,000 pound bright red trucks with 750 gallons (or more) of water....... A fully involved vehicle isn't a candidate for any handheld extinguisher. All you can hope to do is try and get the people out.

 

[User_Name]

We get our extinguishers re-certified every year, what they do is tip them upside down and tap the bottom several times with a rubber mallet then hang a new tag on them.

If you have old ones lying around and are looking for a place to dispose of them, contact the local fire dept., the departments around here use them in homeowner training classes.

 

[762X39]

Your right, there isn't much consensus because vehicle mount fire extinguishers are more for piece of mind than actual usefulness. When I was taking my GMT (what you folks would call Basic Training) we all had to take firefighting and most of us were amazed at how hard it was to try and get a vehicle type fire under control (well actually you couldn't) with a 5lb ABC extinguisher.Still, I carry around a 5 pounder and hope I never need it.If you ever do need to use a dry powder extinguisher, get that stuff off what you sprayed it onto or the corrosive properties will destroy whatever it got on.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I dunno... I put out a fire on a rally car last year with a 10lber, and didn't use all of it. I caught it fairly early but I'd expect to catch my own truck fairly early too.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

So, 5lb. is the minimum and the BC rated Halguards aren't worth the dough?

Instead of worrying about the weight, I'd try for a high rating. At least a 10B:C, if not a 20B:C

 

[jh504]

Only vehicle fire I have ever seen put out without the fire department was just some leaves under the hood that caught up. Carry the biggest one you can fit.

 

[craig333]

I'm in the process of getting rid of all my dry chem extinguishers and going with these type

http://www.macthefireguy.com/fire_safety_products.htm

http://www.rvsafetysystems.com/Handheld Fire Extinguishers.htm

Other than the very smallest size they're refillable at home too.

Gas is not good in a decent wind nor does it remove heat.