Do it yourself Halon extinguisher install

[BlackICE]

All this talk of fires has got me worried. Kendall schedule me for an install.

Are you going to install one in your garage queen as well? You could just drain the tank and depressurize the fuel system. That is what EP would have done.

As for using a leak detector or not. Note Halon is no longer manufactured, supplies are limited, prices rising. Leaks small enough to go undetected with the old bubble test can still drain your tank in less than 6 months. Ask Safecraft what it cost to refill the bottle with the Hazmat shipping fees both ways. Note with the new Federal shipping regulations you cannot even ship the partially empty container back to Safecraft without using a Federally regulated shipping company and emptying one is a Federal crime! Best to have a local company do the refill.

I know that Don at Safecraft always uses a leak detector when he does installations.

You don't want to ask yourself the old Wendy's ad line,

"Where's the Leak!".

 

[PL510*Jeff]

Blackice - there are varous Halons. And most are produced today.

Halon formula 1301 was probably the most know flourocarbon product. In the correct concetrations it was first choice for fire protection in rooms that had humans. The fire would be contained, controlled, extinguished etc and the occupants would survive both the fire and the halon discharge. Total concentration was less that 4%, which was enough to disrupt the combustion process but not harm the human lung.

This product is still avaliable, at great cost as you noted, but for aircraft use only.

The other halon formula's, such as 1201 or 1211, were developed for use in non human occupied areas. These could be in a hand held extisguisher, or open area systems like the ones Safecraft manufactures for automotive engine compartments.

Current thinking uses powdered agents or FM 200 based agents. Effective fire fighting but quite messy but don't add to ozone deplement.

RE: Testing. Do it! what's the use of installing a complex fire protection system, and not doing the leak detection test. I would venture an educated guess that 99% of engine compartment halon systems have had piping, and or fitting leaks that could greatly diminish the effectiveness of these highly engineered system.

 

[BlackICE]

Thanks 2112. I just ordered one of the leak detectors too. I have 4 cars, 4 home a/c units and the fire system in my FGT. Good to know where any leaks are.

25% off today only $59.99 plus tax and shipping. What a deal! Kendall maybe you should order one since you install so many fire systems. One system leak would cost more in shipping charges to refill the bottle than buying this tester.

http://www.harborfreight.com/electronic-freon-and-halogen-leak-detector-92514.html

 

[nota4re]

I know that Don at Safecraft always uses a leak detector when he does installations.

Duh... I guess if a person had a leak detector, why wouldn't they use it??? Does Safecraft recommend a leak detector for installs? No. Who has done more GT installs.... maybe a factor of 10:1, me or Safecraft? Another error is to think that when there is a leak, the Halon goes to zero. In fact, back in the days of the first systems where there were a few faulty valves, the pressure would go to 0, yet ALL of the Halon liquid stayed. Safecraft uses a different agent for the pressurization and, in the worst scenario, the Halon is almost never lost.

Sure, a detector is cool and might have a multitude of uses that may rationalize it's cost to have in the 'ol tool arsenal, but I'd hardly call it a prerequisite.

 

[2112]

Does Safecraft recommend a leak detector for installs?.

Not to interject myself into you and Clinton's interchange, but yes they do. It is printed on the instruction sheet they put in the kit.

 

[nota4re]

Not to interject myself into you and Clinton's interchange, but yes they do. It is printed on the instruction sheet they put in the kit.

Sorry 2112, I stand corrected if that is the case. The good news is that with all of the conventional fittings and the quality we get from Safecraft, leaks are rare.

Clinton just has a habit of wanting to disagee with anything I post - I didn't intend to hijack your good thread here.

 

[JCSB]

lol, I recently installed the same thing, but didnt get to "sniff" the joints, can you tell us where you got the sniffer, I was going to ask you to lend it to me, but at 85 buck I like buying tools too

Soroush,
Your more than welcome to use mine. You were a great help to me.
John

 

[soroush]

Soroush,
Your more than welcome to use mine. You were a great help to me.
John

thanks buddy, maybe at the houston event you can bring it and we can "sniff" all the joints,

sniff, sniff Sam )))))))))))

 

[RPM217]

thanks buddy, maybe at the houston event you can bring it and we can "sniff" all the joints,

sniff, sniff Sam )))))))))))

Joint sniffing can be injurious to your health, be careful!!!!

 

[BlackICE]

Joint sniffing can be injurious to your health, be careful!!!!

In CA they do it all the time, and hardly ever use a leak detector.

 

[MTV8]

Thanks for the write up.

Any idea what would happen to the engine after ingesting halon if the system is activated? I imagine it would simply stall.

 

[2112]

Any idea what would happen to the engine after ingesting halon if the system is activated? I imagine it would simply stall.

That is what I would think but if there is still fresh air flow through the airbox, I would think it would keep running.

 

[MTV8]

Thanks 2112. I just ordered one of the leak detectors too. I have 4 cars, 4 home a/c units and the fire system in my FGT. Good to know where any leaks are.

25% off today only $59.99 plus tax and shipping. What a deal! Kendall maybe you should order one since you install so many fire systems. One system leak would cost more in shipping charges to refill the bottle than buying this tester.

http://www.harborfreight.com/electronic-freon-and-halogen-leak-detector-92514.html

You may have started a shopping spree as they are now on backorder.

 

[2112]

You may have started a shopping spree as they are now on backorder.

offer stands to lend mine.

 

[MTV8]

offer stands to lend mine.

Thanks, may take you up on that.

 

[STORMCAT]

Dish soap and water brushed on the joints is a cheap and easy gas leak detection method. If you have a leak You can actually see the bubbles cease as you tighten the leaky joint. :biggrin

 

[2112]

Hope this comes through

Hope this works;

 

[BlackICE]

2112 thanks for posting the official installation instructions.

I am sure that most everyone will follow them.

 

[soroush]

Dish soap and water brushed on the joints is a cheap and easy gas leak detection method. If you have a leak You can actually see the bubbles cease as you tighten the leaky joint. :biggrin

haha thats what I did brian, I just wanted another tool which I wont use but every 3 years

 

[fjpikul]

Wow, at least they have instructions now. When I put in my system 5 years ago, there were no instructions, just a choice of bracket.