Some random thoughts...
I see a lot of people spend time and money making mods to their vehicles, many apparently for looks, but no thought given to protecting that investment.
I want to encourage people to invest in a quality rechargeanble fire extinguisher. A 2 1/2 pounder is ok if it's a small fire, but for the most part aren't suitable for anything other than a false sense of security.
In addition to a small one, spend the money on at minimum a 10 pounder also.
You won't be sorry.

 

Here here. Fire protection is what I do for a living. I have a 2.5 Halon extinguisher in my truck at arms reach when I'm driving. Halon leaves no residue after sprayed so zero clean up.
A standard dry chem ABC extinguisher should be in everyone's truck somewhere. I've had to use them twice in my old cars. Once when a float stuck and puked raw gas every where and another electrical fire. Invaluable. It would be awful to sit and watch your truck become a Car-bq

 

yep.....and a common cause is electrical wiring that was added without proper fuses.

 

I agree.

 

like the "covert" antenna.... years ago vice squad in Atlanta had a confiscated "pimp-mobile" that had curb feelers that were the VHF antennas...

 

Since that's a D90 odds are good it's from oil cooler line failure.
But yeah, electrical improperly installed is bad news.

 

Wow. That is a sweet set up. Nicely done. You even have a high quality Ansul Sentry. Well done. Motivation for mine.

 

Thanks. No point to buy cheap equipment to protect your expensive equipment I thought.

If you go mounting any equipment in the manner that I have on the rear door, it would be best (... and probably required) that your reinforce the panel to hold the extra weight. Which can be done with a few sheets of metal (I used stainless steel sheets from Lowe's)



That's funny. It's amusing to see how creative some of it can get.

I just figured the back door made a great mounting spot for magnetic stuff, and it saved me from having antennas sticking up everywhere on my vehicle.

 

A good source for large fire extinguishers is your local person who services them. Try to find a person who has a "small" business servicing commercial accounts. Ask at your local FD.
The guy I've gotten several from services them all over the Atlanta area and I get them for about $10-$20 for a charged one. He sells them for cheap because they are not suitable any more for commercial use. If you find a DOT extinguisher you can get a really good deal because they cost a lot to hydrotest, often not worth it to a business. But it's good for the individual because they don't need to be for home/auto use, so you can get them cheap. The guy I deal with told me a couple of weeks ago he has over 1000 sitting in his shop. As long as it's in decent shape, not rusty/dented/broken valve or nozzle, there's nothing wrong with an old one. They work as well as brand new ones.
I have four 10 & 20lb extinguishers and I didn't pay more than $30 (fully charged) for any of them.

Also a reminder, the dry chemical media settles over time, especially from vehicle vibration, so they should be taken out and shaken a couple times a year and the gauge checked. Better yet, make it part of your 3,000 mile maintenance.

 

All excellent info. Here in this state it's the same w the DOT units. I usually end up scrapping them. I have a bunch of used in my shop as well. You're right about the design. I have one in my garage dated from 1964 and its pretty much the same internally as a new one design wise. Ones not hydro'd for commercial use will put out a fire just the same as a new one. Just be aware there are internal rubber seals on the valve so old ones might be more prone to leaking.

Some additional info..

Stay away from Kiddie Brand extinguishers. Especially the ones w the black plastic heads. These are junk. When I service these. They are the most common for failure to fire. Even with a full charge. They almost always leak down.

Don't mount anything above your extinguisher that could fall on the handle. Even with the pin in, with enough weight it will fire. If its mounted inside and it fires...that will be an extremely dangerous and fun day (ask me how I know). The way Street Wolf has it mounted is excellent.

If you do have to fire these remember usually a short burst will do the trick. The less you shoot the better. But your extinguisher will now have to be serviced ASAP. Dry chem is made up of salt/ammonium/baking soda (basically) so get it out ASAP as it can be corrosive especially to wiring. When you do have to clean it up use compressed air. Not water. This powder clumps when damp. It's no fun that way. This is why I carry a halon extinguisher. It leaves zero residue.

I thought about posting an ad offering to sell extinguishers to members here. I can get Halon/Clean Agent, C02, ABC and BC dry chem in all sizes. Plus a variety of mounting brackets. I deal in only high quality commercial/industrial grade
Units. I just don't want guys to think I'm only here for that.