I'm going to get a fire extinguisher, and was wondering, what do you guys buy, and prefer, a halon one or Co2? And any advantages/ disadvantages for both would be cool too.

Thanks,
NateZ

Halon or CO2?

For some reason, health and safety I think, Halon has been phased out and replaced by another similar chemical called Halatron (I think----I could be wrong).
Halon bottles can still be refilled, but for an all around agent, it is hard to beat good old CO2. The bottle is economic to purchase used, and cheap to refill. The 5lb. size is very common among jet flyers.
A Halon extinguisher is expensive to buy and to maintain. I scammed up three of the Halon bottles from a manufacturing plant that was going out of business, so my price was right.

If I was in the market for a unit, as you are, I would purchase the CO2.

Contact a fire extinguisher company and get the full story on price, availability and refill cost before committing your hard earned dough.

A fire in an outdoor area such as burning grasses, brush, etc., is very hard to put out. This type of fire can only be put out with water. CO2 and Halon are worthless in this scenario. Take a look at the BVM website under "safety issues" for the "Indian 90" water pump.

I bought one of these about 2 years ago, and it is worth it's weight in gold.
Happy shopping!

Harley Condra
BVM REP
RAM REP

Since the manufacture of Halon was banned in 1994, they are sure to cost more than a couple bucks............

Have you priced any?

Yea, there are some 7 lb halon 1211 extinguishers going for around 30 bux on ebay, thought it would be a pretty good price, but wanted to get the professional opinion first.

Nate

I always carry one of each. The CO2 is good for small tail pipe fires etc as is itis clean and leaves no mess, but, in a major crash one average size CO2 extinguisher never seems to have enough to put a crash fire out properly and there is always the chance of the fire reignighting itself, the Halon on the other hand is messy but will put any fire out without much trouble.

jason

Nate,
I have to agree with Jason on this one. Being a professional pilot and in charge of crew training for many years. I insisted on anual fire fighting training for our crews. Chemical fire extinguishers whether halon or one of its substituts beat anyother type hands down.

Well, is halon 1211 safe to use in say a hot start or tailpipe fire were you would have to spray into the engine or into the back of the airplane without hurting the turbine?

Nate

Halon is corrosive, CO2 not so corrosive. Local price here for Halon refill is $18.75 per pound, CO2 is $1.13 per pound. A used 10 lb CO2 extinguisher cost me $35.00, a used 10 lb Halon is $145.00 (Yeah I know, the math does not add up at $18.75 per pound it should be $187.50 for a used 10 pounder). New........well lets just say I would rather use the money to buy a DF engine. Go with the CO2. Ken H

nate, you can buy a halotron fire extinguisher from Grainger 's in ft, Lauderdale they cost $84 and are refillable they have three in stock I bought one yesterday they are on Mcnab and powerline phone is in the book. go get em buddy.

Nate,
The halon type is approved for all types of fires. True they are more expensive but how much is your airplane worth? Take it from someone who knows- halon is many times more effective at putting out a fire than CO2 is .

i will never use halon again. the damage done by the corrosive halon was as much as done by the fire. every metal part worn and corroded (internal turbine parts, screws, clevises, pushrods, even hingepins in the wings).

i think CO2 is the way to go.

mec