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Challenger fire on YouTube, hopefully not a members car?

Started by JH27N0B, August 02, 2021, 06:39:04 PM

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JH27N0B

Looks like the guy with the fire extinguisher got it out before it destroyed the car..

1 Wild R/T

Could have been much worse... Lucky the man with the extinguisher showed up...

JH27N0B

I've heard dry chemical fire extinguishers make a mess under the hood when you discharge them, better than the car burning up of course, but still does a lot of damage.
I tracked down a halon fire extinguisher, which puts out the fire without damaging paint or wiring, but are expensive as new halon production was banned years ago.
But then I heard halon is worthless if there's any wind or breeze.  So I guess I need to carry two extinguishers when I drive so I'm ready regardless of weather?


1 Wild R/T

I personally had a daily driver type vehicle burn to the ground, 5 lbs of Halon did nothing cause it was an uncontained environment & a little windy...

anlauto

I've taught you everything you know....but I haven't taught you everything I know....
Check out my web site ....  Alan Gallant Automotive Restoration


Brads70

I just bought 2 halon extinguishers $50 each , one for each car. Friend of a friend sort of a deal. I hear they are only legal to buy for aircraft and marine?  :notsure:


dodj

Hanlon is really good for indoor and/or enclosed environments. We have them installed in electrical rooms where I used to work. They're effective there.  Outdoors you will likely have just as much chance putting the fire out with a toy squirt gun.
"There is nothing your government can give you that it hasn't already taken from you in the first place" -Winston Churchill

BIGSHCLUNK

I agree w dodj... Halon in an outdoor setting... not so good

70vert

This is what I carry in my Challenger, called Halguard. Did some research on it, but of course haven't used it. Halon is a gas so would be less effective in high winds but if used in the engine compartment or up under the dash it should be good.

Edit: this is a B/C rated extinguisher meaning it is for use on electrical and liquid/gasoline based fires. It comes in various sizes, this one is a bit small but should cover a car fire if used quickly (before engulfed in flames). I bought mine on Amazon about 2 years ago for a little over $200. It uses Halotron, a next-gen version of Halon which is no longer available as mentioned. Everyone should have something, my opinion is this is the best option for most.


Quote from: JH27N0B on August 02, 2021, 06:57:16 PM
I've heard dry chemical fire extinguishers make a mess under the hood when you discharge them, better than the car burning up of course, but still does a lot of damage.
I tracked down a halon fire extinguisher, which puts out the fire without damaging paint or wiring, but are expensive as new halon production was banned years ago.
But then I heard halon is worthless if there's any wind or breeze.  So I guess I need to carry two extinguishers when I drive so I'm ready regardless of weather?

dodj

Quote from: 70vert on August 07, 2021, 11:35:38 AM
but if used in the engine compartment or up under the dash it should be good.
Not likely.
Just my opinion.
"There is nothing your government can give you that it hasn't already taken from you in the first place" -Winston Churchill


moparroy

Halon can be dangerous too - especially in enclosed spaces without a fresh air respirator or oxygen source. My understanding - the way halon works is that it literally chokes the fire by sucking the Oxygen out of the air by chemical reaction. This is why it is now prohibited (to make new) as just like R-12 freon it is very very Ozone layer damaging. Ozone is basically oxygen - O3 molecular structure as opposed to common O2 in the air - again my understanding. Hence also the reason its not so good outside or in a breeze - it can only absorb so much oxygen - once that amount is reacted its useless - it has no other suppression properties unlike other extinguishers that use multiple suppression techniques.

So just as it chokes the fire - it can also choke you if you are in enclosed space and discharge it -  it also takes away the oxygen you need to breathe.
So just be careful with it. I have one Halon extinguisher in the garage for extreme emergency - I have 3 others I would use before that one - it came from an aircraft source.

We used to used halon many years ago in telecom equipment rooms (my life before retiring) - but the halon systems in Canada I think have all been removed due to Ozone concerns and personnel safety issues. Today they use a compound called FM-200 - my understanding is you can stand in the room when it is discharged and have no ill effects. I see on line they use it in marine applications now too.
I'll stick to a common ABC in the car - even it if makes a mess. FM-200 is also chosen in data centers as it is safe even for sensitive electronics.

YellowThumper

Simple statement is carry a proper extinguisher for car related fire requirements.
The mess is irrelevant to me if the fire is out.
Life is to be viewed thru the windshield. Not rear view mirror.
You are the only one in charge of your destiny.

Mike.

70vert

not sure why this has turned into a "fight", I hope we all agree a car fire is bad and we should be prepared.

Just to clear a couple of points:
* the device I have & showed is NOT Halon, and is readily available and legal. It is specifically rated for electrical & liquid fires
* a traditional A/B/C extinguisher should put a car fire out, as will a specific B/C type
* regardless of which type you use you should know how to use it and all dangers involved

dodj

Quote from: 70vert on August 11, 2021, 03:48:04 PM
not sure why this has turned into a "fight"
I don't see anything here as a 'fight'?
Just opinions.
If anything I posted here seems antagonistic, it was not intended that way.  :drinkingbud:
"There is nothing your government can give you that it hasn't already taken from you in the first place" -Winston Churchill