My low-budget Fire Ext Bracket

[Don Plumley]

Wanted to move the fire extinguisher into the cockpit. I don't *need* a BK seat bracket (yet), and I hate drilling holes into the pan and/or through the carpet.

So I fabricated a mount that attaches to the existing holes in the shift coupling access cover. Two L brackets go under and over the carpet, are riveted to an aluminum mount, to which the fire extinguisher bracket attaches. I made it a little longer in case I upgrade the fire extinguisher later.

Here's a pic of the mount:



And with the extinguisher in the car between the rear seats:


(sorry, it's dark in that car)

It's in easy reach from the driver's seat, and won't become a projectile in the car.

(Caveat: I've read the threads on the pro's/con's of this type of chemical extinguisher - one day I'd like to get a Halon or similar one, but it's just not in the financial cards today. I'm saving my pennies for new front struts, brakes, etc.)

So at the risk of throwing myself in the lion's mouth - what do you think? Any suggestions for improvements?

Thanks,

Don

[tobluforu]

Good job! Time to mkt. them and sell them.
That extinguisher is better then none..

[pbs911]

[Insert canned response No. 1]

Seriously. Looks good. Better than mine which is currently wedged in the gap between the drivers seat and driver's door. What do you mean by under and over the carpet?

[Don Plumley]

Thanks.

It is under the hump carpet, but over (or in front of) the seat carpet. Hmm...

I attached a rough sketch, maybe that will help explain.

Don

[Superman]

Well, if you've read the posts, then you know that dry chemical is superior to Halon in some ways. Extinguishing fires, for example. Dry chemical leaves residue, but I am told it is twice as effective at extinguishing fires.

So, sit up straight and say "damn right I have a DRY CHEMICAL fire extinguisher."

[Don Plumley]

You are right Superman! Sign me up for the spinal re-implant process.

DJP

[makaio]

Don, it looks good! The only thing I would suggest is a second strap band around it. Most driving events require it, and it's just extra insurance.

And yes, stand up tall and be proud you have a dry chemical extinguisher. I'm a fireman by trade and I don't carry no stinking Halon on my fire engine.

[island911]

The only thing I would suggest is taking some length out of the plate if possible. Also can you just move the clamp-band to the center of mass?

Aside: I see your avatar; you strike me as more of a Wallace

[Don Plumley]

Matt: Any suggestions for a second band that is easy to release? And I'll proudly carry Dry Chemical now!

Island: Can't move the clamp, it's fixed there (Kidde bracket), but it is rock solid - no wiggles at all. I left the plate a little longer in case I go to a 5lb bottle. Maybe for the production version ;-).

(Avatar: When Wallace went to get the cheese, if you saw Gromit spinning with the drill, you've seen me! Though sometimes when I'm driving the car, I do feel like Wallace in those pants that went mad.)

Thanks guys!



Don

[JDaniel]

Funny... I was thinking about building a bracket that installed in the same spot. I guess you beat me to it.

good job

[VenezianBlau 87]

What skilled and resourceful people on this board!

Put me down for one if you go into production or no longer need your pictured prototype. Also, unpainted is fine so I can match interior.

---------------------
Bob Sauerteig
'87 Coupe
rsauerteig@hotmail.com

[StuttgartDavid]

I suspect that under the 30-50 G generated in a worst case frontal impact that neither one or two of those bands is going to keep that thing from becoming a missile aimed at you or a passenger. At least the under-leg/under seat mounting keeps the flight path away from you head or vitals . . .

[Decolliber]

When I saw the cost of commerically made extinguisher mounts, I also made my own. A flat steel plate (about 16"X 1.5") between the front of the seat rails, attached between the seat and the rails with the two front mounting bolts for the seat. Then attached two "L" shaped brackets to the steel plate, with stainless steel bolts. Finally, bolted the fire extinguisher holder to the L shaped brackets. Fire extinguisher sits horizontally in front of passenger seat just like the commercial mounts. Total cost about $8.

[Phoenix]

Great job Don!!

I've been considering mounting one virtically along the hump (vs. your horizontal) and thinking how I could fabrictate it. I Like your solution better also as it allows for quick access though I think a virtical mount might be a bit safer (the bulk of the force would be on the head mount vs. a band bracket).

Also, I carry both a Halon and Chemical in mine. Maybe I'm a bit paranoid but after my recent engine fire, better safe than sorry. BTW, I'll try the Halon first should, God forbid, I have another fire back there. Chemical does get teh fire out QUICK but ohhh what damage it does to EVERYTHING it touches.

[KTL]

Don,

I was thinking along the lines of what StuttgartDavid stated. I don't know if the four small self-tapping screws for the inspection cover are beefy enough to hold the rig in the case of an impact?

Here's an idea. If you can drill the holes for the cover a bit larger, place a grade 8 bolt with a grade 8 washer inside the inspection hole. Use a lock nut on the outside of the inspection hole to hold the bolt in place like a stud. If that setup keeps the cover from sealing completely, try a thinner jam nut with a spring washer? If that doesn't work, you can use a thin retaining ring on the outside (used to hold brake rotors in place on some GM cars- my Aurora for instance). Just some suggestions. BTW, I like the location choice as well. I imagine you'd only have to increase the strength of the fastenings.

Just my $.02

[MikeB]

A 30-50 G impact and the least of your worries will be a flying fire extinguisher. Not survivable...

[Don Plumley]

Great ideas and comments:

John - have any pictures of your seat mount? I might poke around and give that a go. I agree - my bracket was less than $10 and a nice bit of relaxation time in the garage.

Oliver - I know what you mean about in-line with the tunnel - and I have an idea how to make that bracket. That was my first choice, then the metalworking got complicated for me. If you want, I can sketch out how I would have done it.

Kevin - Yes, at first I was a bit concerned as well. The two screws that hold the plate down are #10 sheetmetal screws, pretty beefy. I did get 1" long ones and they have a good amount of bite into the fastner. I *could* do what you suggested, but my first goal was not to drill through carpet.

And as for 50G crash - I'm worth more dead than alive.

Keep it coming!

Don

[makaio]

Don,
Check Home Depot or another home improvement store. I happend to have an extra mount laying around, and I just stold the clamp off it. But one of those stores should have an extra clamp for a couple bucks. I just drilled a hole in the back of my mount, and put a small bolt and nut through to hold the second clamp, just below the gauge and neck of the extinguisher. I'll post a pic when I get home Thursday from work.

If you can't find a clamp, let me know, and I'll source one from our wharehouse, pay for it, then we can work out a deal.

[emcon5]

It is not nearly as nice as Don's, but here is my version of the cheapa$s fire extinguisher mount. Mine is a sheet of aluminum bent at an 90 degree angle, with holes to mount between the driver seat sliders and the seat mount rails on the floor.

It holds the extinguisher, and doubles as a roadblock to keep any crap from the back seat floor from migrating under the pedals under heavy braking.

I am planning on making it a little sturdier, with a few "L" brackets, but I think it is adequate for street use. I may just scrap this and rebuild it out of steel.





Tom

[Don Plumley]

Tom - nice. This is on the driver's side? Does it move with the seat, or is the seat adjusting over it? BTW - nice seats!

Matt - I talked with Kidde about a replacement strap. No can do ("I'm sorry, but they come assembled this way from China"). The entire bracket is only about $3.50 at Home Depot, I could cannibalize one from there, I just hate buying a functional item to take it apart...

If anyone has a bent fire ext bracket with a 10" strap, I'd be happy to help you scrap it!

I've been thinking about the crash scenario (I try not to think of this very often), under the passenger seat makes the most sense, though with my mount I think it will hit the rear of the front seats, worst case it hits the driver's seat, and pivots around (losing much energy in the process) then hits the side of the passenger seat. Maybe someone with some time on their hands can do a finite element analysis here...

Bottom line, I think having some sort of bracket using metal and screws is better than a) velcro or b) in the trunk or c) no ext at all.

Thanks guys, this board rocks.

Don