DigitalSynthesis

OK I read that big page with the poll and a bunch of other threads too... what I'm most interested in is this:

1. Where in an S5 CONVERTIBLE is a recommended place to store one and still have an adult passenger?

2. What in an S5 is most likely to catch fire and how hard is it to detect / put out?

A few other related but not as important:

3. What is the difference between Halon and AFFF?
4. I've found a great Halon dealer, where can I get AFFF handhelds and how much do they cost?
5. How big of one is a reasonable balance between putting out any potential fire and actually storing it in a convertible in an accessible manner and still letting a passenger come along?

Also if anybody has successful experiences putting out 2nd gen engine fires with fire extinguishers please feel free to relate (briefly) your experience and the size/type of your extinguisher.

I'm posting this to the 2nd gen list because what I'm most interested in is the mounting location for the 'vert and the size recommendation for our specific model. The other stuff I'm asking is rather extraneous and can be omitted if anybody feels I'm in the wrong forum. I hope I don't step on any toes here.

DigitalSynthesis

Well, I did some research, and it looks like the Halon 1211 is a far superior fire-fighting agent for a vehicle at a given size/weight extinguisher for equivalent ratings. AFFF is frankly huge and heavy (and expensive) plus it leaves a mess. Halon 1211 is relatively lightweight, very controllable, and highly effective. A 3lb. unit is more than adequate (from what I can tell) for extinguishing an engine fire (assuming of course you shut off the supply of fuel to the hot engine so it doesn't start up again when the halon has dissipated).

Now, on to the S5 stuff... a 3lb. extinguisher is still rather large compared to what most people like to carry in a vehicle. Its 4.5" in diameter at its narrow side ( the unit I looked at had a hose clipped down one side) and was 14" long, making it too big to fit on an A-pillar or comfortably sideways behind the front seats of a convertible. The two places I'm considering mounting mine are:

1. Laterally along the passenger-side floorboard.
2. Vertically behind the passenger seat along side the extra bottle (or two) of oil, heavy-duty jumper cables, and fix-a-flat I carry in place of my spare tire (gotta save weight somehow!).

I don't want to put it under the top fold-down area since that would guarantee it useless if the top was down. I can't put it in the trunk b/c of my subs and amp (they take up the entire trunk!) plus it would be very slow to get at in the event of a fire anyway. And I don't want to put it behind my seat 'cause I'm really tall and the seat doesn't go back far enough as it is. I *could* fab a place for it in that space just underneath the spare tire cover (e.g. cut the front of the cover out, put in a bracket for the extinguisher, finish it out somehow) but I don't feel like going to that much trouble unless somebody knows a good and cheap custom fiberglass shop in Atlanta.

Depending on how I feel when I get it I'll let you know where I chose to put it (if I don't forget).

Peace...

NZConvertible

I have mine bolted to the passengers kickboard. There's still plenty of room.
The engine. Smoke is usually the first clue...

Kim

Mine WAS bolted to the transmissiontunnel behind the passenger seat, its an easy to reach spot

I gotta get a new one, used mine to put out an BBQ/Gasoline fire at the last trackday I was at

Wankel7

Do share your source on the Halon.

James

2ndGen.rocket

yes please share, I can't find them anywhere

DigitalSynthesis

Here's the link to the halon extinguishers:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo.../halon1211.php

I ripped this from somebody else's thread so if you were the original poster of this link please don't think I'm trying to infringe upon your creativity!

I think these prices are pretty fair for halon. They also sell Halon 1211-1301 mixture extinguishers too.

sub9lulu

iTrader: (7)

i m thinking to install roll over bar to my vert, which sits behind the seats. if i do that there will be no room behind the seats.
so if you planning to do that too anytime soon the passenger side kick panel is the only choice.
jumper cable, oil, fixaflat ... all those you can always move them around

man the vert got no space at all ... i love it tho

DigitalSynthesis

Okay folks, here's the scoop:

I got a Halon 1211 extinguisher based on its performance/price/weight combination (the 3lb. one), and mounted it in the passenger side transmission tunnel area while the tranny is dropped (made it a breeze to drill the holes). But choosing a place in there to mount it was difficult. I ended up putting it pretty much in the floor-tunnel transition (the hose fit nicely under the extinguisher and the space taken up is minimal). The floor pan has ridges (at least in the 'vert) in the tunnel area though, so I had to be very careful which mounting holes I used - only 4 out of the available 8 would really work, but the end result is well worth it: feels rock solid, and looks very good. I used stainless steel screws and washers, nylon SS locknuts, and after I drilled the holes I spray painted the area with rust-oleum and repainted the area again to prevent any rust from the bare steel edges.

The seat can slide fully forward and backward without bumping the extinguisher, and I can unclip and grab the unit from the driver's seat in an emergency. Further, the passenger should have very little problem with foot room. I put the business end of the unit towards the seat to prevent any kicking from accidentally setting the unit off.

Everyone wanted me to buy the chrome unit. I like the red MUCH better personally. Looks like its there for a reason and not to show off. I'm not sure what that says about these cars, but there's a reason I bought the damn thing, and there's a reason I paid as much as I did for it, too.

I might take some pics if there's demand.

Peace...

2ndGen.rocket

damn those are expensive

DigitalSynthesis

Yup. They work, though. 12 sec. of discharge time for Halon 1211 should put out pretty much any promptly caught vehicle-type fire you're likely to encounter.

MtnRacer

I'm not a vert owner, but I'd still like to see a pic, sounds interesting.

Steve

DigitalSynthesis

It *should* work for any RX-7, but you coupe people have nice rear storage area you can use too. I like this location since its SUPER convenient, even from the driver's seat. I'll see about pics once I get my dash all back together shortly.

88IntegraLS

I just bought a $15 Kidde because I figure a ABC rated one is better than nothing at all. To answer your question of where to store it, here is my solution.

BLACK ROCKET

So, how did BBQ turned out?

Mine is right at the door wedge on the driver's side for real quick (hopefully) removal and use.

Kim

It was fine we had disposable grills and this one guy decided that his wasnt catching fire so he used gasoline on it, right infront of his 10 year old son

RX7withNitrous

i hope you didn't pay 130 for one of those. What are the chances your car is going to catch fire.

ultradef

Thats the same setup I have. Its not much, but definitely better than nothing.

Gene

iTrader: (1)

Don't put it on the A pillar, it's ricey, plus someone could hit their head on it in a collision, assuming it even stayed attached. If it didn't stay attached, you now have a hard, heavy missile inside the passenger compartment.

I've also seen extinguishers mounted on the floor in the passenger area, going crosswise, right in front of where the seat would be in its forwardmost position (so the passenger's legs go over it)

BLACK ROCKET

Chances are...pretty high with 7.

It is true it looks kind of ricey when it's exposed, but, I hope you have one handy in your 7.

DigitalSynthesis

Mine definitely wouldn't fit there.

RX7withNitrous

haha i've never had any kind of fire and i've pushed the them to the limit.

MtnRacer

We knew that when you said
Anyone who has put a lot of time and effort into their car and knows better, most likely has a fire extinguisher somewhere in the car.

Steve

Digi7ech

iTrader: (1)

The most likely fire I would guess would be the Pulsation Dampner. A S5 is less prone to this but can still happen.

A fire exstinguisher *might* stop this kind of fire.
The PD will leak even after you shut the engine off because of fuel pressure so there's a chance it can start up again if it gets near the exhaust.

RX7withNitrous

huh guess you learn something new everyday. I haven't put that much time or effort into my car. I don't even really like it. It's just something for the **** talking domestics i love my suv.