Fire Extinguisher

[The Aardvark]

Anyone got one?
Mate has a Cerbera, and although I appreciate that the engine is different, says he wouldnt go anywhere without it.
Just curious as to whether they are recommended when owning a Chimaera....

Cheers

[spend]

Yes, under your knees or behind the passenger seat, just make sure it's securely mounted

Never had to use it, but thats how sods law works plan for it & it'll never happen

[GreenV8S]

Damned good idea to have one. There are various different sorts, AFFF is recommended for use in a car. Dry powder works too but it's said that if you use one in the car you'll never get the car clean afterwards. If you plan to store it on its side you need to make sure you get an automotive one with a full liner. The cheaper domestic ones only have a 3/4 liner and shouldn't be stored or used on their side.

[Zumbruk]

FWIW, the Speed Championship has had two fires this year, which makes me think a lot harder about either actually carrying the extinguisher I have in the car, or getting a plumbed in system.

[grumbledoak]

I had one in the Chimp, and I have a new one in the T350. For a 'proper' fuel fire it won't be enough, I'd guess, but it might save the car from a smaller fire. It is lying on it's side, mind, under the passenger's knees...

[GreenV8S]

Braided hoses are not a good idea. They're fine for protecting against impact damage and abrasion, but that isn't what damages fuel lines. They're no help against heat and vibration, but do stop you inspecting the hoses to see what condition they're in. I've also seen some aftermarket braided fuel hoses incorrectly assembled resulting in a connection which looked neat and tidy but wasn't actually clamping the hose securely, potentially leading to a catastrophic failure. I suggest you just stick to decent modern fuel hose (I use 100R6 which is a lot thicker and more robust than the original hoses) and inspect them regularly and change them as a matter of course every 4-5 years.

[bigdods]

GreenV8S said:

Braided hoses are not a good idea. They're fine for protecting against impact damage and abrasion, but that isn't what damages fuel lines. They're no help against heat and vibration, but do stop you inspecting the hoses to see what condition they're in. I've also seen some aftermarket braided fuel hoses incorrectly assembled resulting in a connection which looked neat and tidy but wasn't actually clamping the hose securely, potentially leading to a catastrophic failure. I suggest you just stick to decent modern fuel hose (I use 100R6 which is a lot thicker and more robust than the original hoses) and inspect them regularly and change them as a matter of course every 4-5 years.

Mine split a few weeks back resulting in fuel pouring over the cam cover and o/s manifold. Luckily I'd only gone 2 miles so it wasnt really hot. But I still set a new world record for the sprint to safety ! Fuel lines had never been changed so were 11 years old (and were on the list to change at the service next week).

I had inspected them the day before and they looked fine - I know now that a visual inspection isnt enough you actually have to disconnect and take a proper look !. When we took them off they still looked fine but when flexed they pretty much just fell apart.

I am looking for a fire extinguisher too.....

[ray_von]

TVR Moneypit said:

GreenV8S said:

Braided hoses are not a good idea.

Even stuff like this?

http://www.goodridge.net/uk/pdf/GoodridgeCatalogue...

Agree with Peter here, AFAIK the hose in here will only be rated the same as R6 so I would prefer to be able to see what's going on.
never read the link though to be honest

[GreenV8S]

TVR Moneypit said:

GreenV8S said:

Braided hoses are not a good idea.

Even stuff like this?

http://www.goodridge.net/uk/pdf/GoodridgeCatalogue...

Did you mean to send a link to the entire Goodridge catalogue? Yes even stuff like that. There's no benefit, and it means you can't see the state of the hose.

[spend]

GreenV8S said:

TVR Moneypit said:

GreenV8S said:

Braided hoses are not a good idea.

Even stuff like this?

http://www.goodridge.net/uk/pdf/GoodridgeCatalogue...

Did you mean to send a link to the entire Goodridge catalogue? Yes even stuff like that. There's no benefit, and it means you can't see the state of the hose.

Why do need to see the hose Peter?

PHanto gets earlier each year tehehehe

[GreenV8S]

TVR Moneypit said:

I'm not dissbelieving what you are saying, but I was under the impression that Goodridge stuff was the dogs danglys?

It is jolly nice stuff, but the overbraiding offers no significant benefit in this use (if you have things impacting the fuel lines then you have more important things to worry about!). However, the overbraiding makes it impossible to inspect the hose so if it has suffered heat damage the firs you will know about it is fuel coming through the braiding - that's if you happen to see if before it does it's dog impression.

[BrianMillar]

May be a silly question but I have never really looked at a plumbed in fire extinguisher installation.

When the cylinder is mounted on it's side, Is there some sort of pick-up pipe inside the cylinder that finds the bottom of the tank?
If not then presumably only half of the fluid in the tank would be used before the gas starts to come out.