Landracing Forum
Tech Information => Technical Discussion => Topic started by: tauruck on February 27, 2013, 01:37:47 AM
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Guys, I got my fire extinguisher today. I'm mounting it on the floor in front of my seat but it's got the standard handle on it. I'm never going to reach it while strapped in so I wanted to know if anyone here has made a mod using a cable system. I have an idea but someone may have a tried and tested method. Thanks, Mike.
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Is it a punch button? This is from our ColdFire system, the cable is 3metres long, the same button that screws onto the usual actuator fits onto this, put the bottle wherever you like.....
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z187/fourdoorshitbox/P2270196_zps817626c5.jpg)
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post a pict of what the present firing arangement is. I haveworked on a car that had a comercial grip system that had a hole drilled in it for a pull cable.
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Thanks guys. Sparky you read my mind. I found a Harley throttle cable here that has a theaded end and it looks like the solution but check out the extinguisher anyway. It's a 10 pounder. Dr. Goggles, sorry man but I didn't quite understand what you mean't through no fault of yours, it's me, dumb. :oops:
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I'm mounting it under my legs in front of the seat. The bracket I have was from a single seater and fits the bottle like a glove.
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I saw the words "Dry Chemical" on that extinguisher. Is it for the engine compartment?
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Two ways, if under the seat and you can reach it, you can use a push activated system with a push button on top of the bottle discharge head or a cable pull system. Lastly, but more expensive, is an electric discharge sysyem that works via a button. All come in either 5 or 10 Lbs. Kits charged with Dupont FE 36.
All systems and parts are available from : http://shop.parklandautosport.com/ (http://shop.parklandautosport.com/)
Just a thought.
BR
Full Disclosure: This is a shameless plug for my wed store. I have already talked to Jon and he and Bob are working on my banner advertisment for LR.com starting March 1st. If we can help anyone with our products we will be happy to assist.
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My 10# halon extinguisher has the same activation handle as your picture. I can't show you a picture of what I did but I will try to describe it. I drilled a 3/8" hole in the bottm handle and a 3/16" hole above it in the top handle. I bought a large clutch spring and inserted thru the big hole to the small one and placed a clamp on the spring wire. I inserted a PTO cable thru the hole of the extinguisher where the pin was and then attached the bottom of the clutch spring to the bottom of the extingusher on a bracket I made. When you pull the PTO lever cable out the spring will pull the upper handle down actuating the unit and hold it open letting all of the agent out. (Trust me it works) I mounted it verticle.
If you use what you bought I would make sure it was taken apart or you need to know where the pick up is in the bottle. I must be on the bottom as mounted to pick up all the agent. No one I know uses dry chemical on their engines because it's very hard to place 2 nozzles of any kind on your exhaust system. Good Luck
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Thanks all. The unit is for inside the cab. I used a Harley throttle cable and drilled the two levers, fed the cable through and chinched the nut on the bottom lever, I'll mount a pull handle on the centre console along with the stopper/adjustor. I use a mobile phone for pics but I'm looking at getting a Nikon that can zoom to take close up pics if the sponsor comes through for me.
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Another angle of the pull lever.
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I don't know where you are planning on running but SCTA/BNI does not allow dry chemical extinguishing agents in the drivers compartment.
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I won't be running anywhere near. If you checked my location you'd see I'm based in Africa. I'm not big on extinguishers in that in all the years I raced I never had the misfortune of having to activate one. Seeing as the unit in question comes from my sponsor who would gladly exchange it for one more suitable for in car use what should I be using. No one has said what the correct/recommended propellant is. I'm on this forum for two reasons. To learn and meet a cool bunch of racers that like the same stuff I do. I got the thing working, now can I please get advice on what should be used where. I say this with no disrespect and the answer will probably have to with health and safety, Right?. :-D :-D :-D
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This is the section from the SCTA rulebook about fire systems. Maybe it will give you some guidence.
3.Q FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS:
All cars and enclosed motorcycles shall have a minimum of one driver-controlled fire extinguishing system using a minimum of 5 lbs. of extinguishing agent designed and applied to function as driver protection. Approved agents include Halon 1301, Halon 1211, DuPont FE36, and certain AFFF systems including Cold Fire 302, ESS Foam, Firefox Gem Foam or other Halon replacement certified by the manufacturer for use in a confined space. Dry chemical and CO2 may be used in the engine compartment only. The application and installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations for the size and shape of the driver’s compartment. The discharge rate should be designed to allow sufficient protection for the time it will take the car to stop from speed.
NOTE: Care and consideration shall be taken to prevent driver suffocation. Fresh air venting or breathing systems may be necessary.
ALL CARS and MOTORCYCLE STREAMLINERS, 0-200 MPH shall have a total of 10 lbs. extinguishing agent onboard. At least 5 lbs. must serve the driver/rider area and the additional 5 lbs. may serve the engine and/or a combination of driver/rider and engine areas. Both areas shall be served via fixed nozzles. Acceptable agents in the engine area include CO2, foam, Halon, a Halon replacement or dry chemical. The engine system shall generally include 2 nozzles directed toward the header/oil pan area or be installed according to manufacturer's recommendation. Only Halon or Halon replacement agents may be used in the driver’s compartment. See above paragraph.
ALL VEHICLES OVER 200 MPH, because of the additional time required to stop, shall be equipped with additional extinguishing agent (in addition to the 5 lbs. minimum) which is designed and fitted for driver protection. The installation should be commensurate with driver compartment size and the speed of the vehicle. Contact a reputable safety equipment manufacturer for installation advice.
Minimum Agent Requirements:
0-200 MPH 10 lbs. min. Driver & engine
201+ MPH 11 lbs. min. Over 5 lbs. for driver
NOTE: The amount of required agent should not be confused with total bottle weight.
All push/recovery/support vehicles are required to have a minimum of one 4 lb. portable fire extinguisher.
All competition vehicle extinguishing system control valves shall be within the reach of the driver while strapped in position. The valves shall be designed to remain open once actuated. All agent lines and nozzles shall be metal and securely mounted. Extinguishing agent cylinders within the driver’s compartment shall be mounted with a system more substantial than hose clamps alone. The use of hose clamps as a primary mounting system is prohibited.
A current inspection/filling certification (no more than 24 months old) for each agent bottle shall be visible to the technical inspector without removing the bottle.
NOTE: Agent delivery lines are subject to dust and moisture clogging. Participants are responsible to assure that the fire system is full and operable before each event. Frequent clearing of the lines is recommended. Aqueous foam systems require that the nozzles be directed appropriately so that the agent does not impede the vision of the driver. Questions concerning fire-extinguishing systems may be directed to the Fire Extinguishing System Specialist, section 16.
DW
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Tauruck:
With all due respect, because something has not happened in the past is no issurance it will not happen tomorrow. I have never rolled a car but I still build my cars to withstand the worse possible rollover, in LSR it is proabably the high speed barrel roll, that I can.
Talk to anyone that has been burned or witnessed a fellow racer that has been burned and it is by far one of the worst injuries. Both the exterior burns and the damage done if the fire is inhaled. So with that said, I carry 30 Lbs. of fire suppressant, 10 for the engine, 10 for the driver and a 10 lbs automatic system in the trunk for the fuel cell and batteries. Is it over kill...probably, but its there if I need it.
Like everyone else, I make several of my own parts and adapt other parts to suit my need but draw the line on safety equipment. On safety equipement, may I suggest you buy the best engineered system you can afford.
Glad to have your thoughts and good luck with your project.
BR
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Tauruck
Your mechanism looks like it will work, but needs to have a device to latch it open so it is complete discharge when triggered. Don't think I would want to breath all that dry chemical.
Personally I would use the same size bottle with cold fire in it for use inside the cabin. You can buy cold fire concentrate to mix yourself. Your fire extinguisher company could probably mix, fill and certify it. Mine does.
There is one entry at Bonneville that runs a similar setup and has been approved by tech.
JMHO
Ron
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Thanks for all the sage advice guys and it is appreciated. The pull system will be finished tomorrow. I only posted pics of the parts I'd made so far. I'll get another unit for the driver with an automatic system. When the rep came to see me I had already rigged a pipe system to go through both firewalls and one for inside. He said the ID of the pipe was too small (8mm) and that I should use 15mm minimum. I never asked about the propellant and he never said anything so I figured it was all good. I learned a big lesson here. As soon as you guys started asking about where the "powder" was going I knew I'd screwed the pooch. :oops: