Compact fire system

[Jon Swanson]

I am looking to upgrade my onboard fire system. The old one is a Lifeline halon system with a nice (small) bottle that fits under my knees in front of the seat. With the actuator installed it is still only 8in. long. So far no luck finding a small replacement bottle to fit this area as 11in. long w/actuator is about all the room there is. I'm sure someone else in the formula car ranks has been through this. Any thoughts?

[Garey Guzman]

Suggestions and system weight would be very useful info!

[RacerDave51]

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

[Jon Swanson]

SCCA approved?

[Garey Guzman]

SCCA approved?

No, but it's commonly used by racers from TN....

[Art Smith]

Jon-

as part of redoing my Viking and Crossle I looked for a small electrically actuated fire suppression systems to replace the LARGE period pieces that came with the cars to NO avail. given the outlook for availability of halon and the shipping challenges I decided to go with a foam system. severe space limitations in the Viking drove the selection for all three of my current projects as anything other than common spares was not acceptable. I settled on an electrically actuated carbon fiber bottle system made by SPA and sold by Pegasus here in the states. they're pricey and take lots of patiences to procure but I'm satisfied with the hardware and it fits in the space available. I chose electrically actuated because I wanted actuation points on the right AND left sides of the car in addition to the cockpit for additional safety. while it was already there in the Viking, a removeable steering wheel is probably a functional requirement for the under knee location given the diameter of the bottle (smallest and shortest combination I could find in foam). the carbon bottle was purchased for weight savings and while it's lighter than the metal bottle offered there's probably at least a pound or two of additional wieght that could have been avoided with an aerospace type wound bottle........... if you go the electrical sub-system route be very careful how it's wired, how the connections are made (and insulated), AND how the wires are routed, supported, and protected. electrical systems are actuated by closing a circuit and if there's more "opens" than switches nothing will happen in a time of need. the enclosed picture shows one of the foam bottles installed in the under knee location in the Viking; clearly cozy but everything fits......................

Art
artesmith@earthlink.net

[rickb99]

Lifeline has some that are in the range of 10 to 11 inches long. I believe that includes the head but you need to review them or find a local dealer to talk too.

http://www.lifeline-fire.co.uk/firee...motorsport.htm

Firebottle has one at 11 1/2 inches that just might work depending upon where the head is in relation to your interference.

http://www.firebottleracing.com/The%20Facts.htm

[JIM McQUAIG]

I had the same problem with my 84 Van Diemen ff. I got a nice AFFF system from Transatlantic. I believe the frames are about the same size. All in all the water still isn't a bad idea!

[RussMcB]

Art, what is that light aqua colored thing in your picture?

[racer27]

Art, what is that light aqua colored thing in your picture?

It's his Taser ... keeps the crew from slacking off... LOL

Was wondering same thing.

[enjoythetrack]

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Ummm, are you familiar with the big claim to fame and statue in honor of said act in Belgium? It concerns how to put out a fire and is the country's big whoop-dee-do. Look it up... get ready to laugh.

[Art Smith]

Russ-

"Art, what is that light aqua colored thing in your picture?"

the aqua colored thing is a heat gun. one of the many "bad" habits picked up working for an aerospace company.....................

the dust on everything in the picture is a testament to the fact my shop isn't even close to a class 1000 clean room!!! the air hose does the trick for the car; things have to be cleaned before working on either transaxles or engines.

Art
artesmith@earthlink.net