firetec were either, you had to specify - foam doesn't need agitating but the pressure needs checking. i'm really not sure if they would work to be honest - as said would it actually stop flames or the fan suck it up yummy yummy? who knows? best carrying some marshmallows and a long stick.
Not sure there would be a vacuum??? Air is forced in the intakes at speed, but would be being sucked in at stand still, and somewhere between between. Biggest vacuum if there is one would be just abefore you change from 1st to second. Whatever, there's a lot of wind in the engine bay the whole time all going in the direction of the fan and some to the carb(s) from the air intakes. I could theorise about the effect on the extinguisher contents but it would be nothing more than an educated guess which is why I'm still waiting patiently for one to be used in anger.
Does that mean if I was to have a fire it would be just as effective to fire an extinguisher down the intake? (combined with the firetec going off automatically)
No, whatever you squirt down there will just end up on the battery trays. There's a thread on JK about putting out bus fires written by a fireman who had an engine fire in his.
You need to get the engine hatch open enough to get the extinguisher hose in but no more, then use short squirts apparently. That's what oily bay did anyway and his bus was only off the road about a week!
Having a big enough fire extinguisher is the main thing, those little 1kg powder things arnt big enough and last a few seconds, if you have a big enough extinguisher you can open the lid right up so you can see right and get yourself back out the way and have a squirt, and as said foam is good at least a 3 litre
Not that big, look under 9 litres AFFF extinguisher on google. They are around the £30 mark, plus a mounting bracket if you want to fix it nicely!
Not much and with the bikes in the way its a bit of as stretch. Suppose that is why I have a firetec and have changed all the fuel hoses/breathers.
An automatic CO2 extinguisher with sufficient capacity is the best bet to knock down an engine bay fire (fuel or electrics related) although there's always a danger of the fire reigniting, so opening the hatch is a no-no....capacity is key...bigger the better Wet chemical extinguishers are good for 'camping' related incidents (pan fires, hot oil, camp fires, bedding, etc) but more expensive Dry powder extinguishers are the most versatile but create a mess courtesy of a fireman mate.... it must be an arse, but I'm glad you got off lightly @Mabel.....
'Ere y'are http://www.justkampers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=164537&p=2312245&hilit=Squib#p2312245
Don't think opening engine lid fully is a plan, just enough to get your extinguisher aimed in there, opening it up fully allows air to rush in to feed the fire, and rush of flame coming at you, camper destroyed and you're in hospital, this why you only open a car bonnet a touch of you suspect fire and have an extinguisher, getting yourself badly burned doesn't help anything.
I saw oily bay's bus following his fire so I'd happily follow his instructions as per the thread linked up there ^^^. If you don't get it out pronto it's too late anyway, so got to be worth a bash.
I'm asking as I don't know.... Is the fan capable of creating enough airflow above the engine to ensure that all air from the vents down is sucked through at a rate of knots so as to ensure whatever the discharge of a fire extinguisher would simply be sucked through...if so, through the fan opening alone?
