Community Forums

Southpark · 07-24-2014, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phinneyj

Looks like my mind is made up and Mac is gonna get some of my business.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

craig.sayre · 07-24-2014, 02:35 PM

Glad your all safe and the MH didn't go up in flames. I guess it's fortuitous for all that you happen to be a retired fire captain and knew what to do! I have a fire extinguisher in my rig - this is a good reminder to check to make sure it hasn't expired.

Jstoney · 07-24-2014, 02:40 PM

I have 10# Halotron (replaces the Holons) by my entrance door, as my first responce. I have the 5# powder all over for the last to use.
The Halotron is made by American Corp

Jim

Dr4Film · 07-24-2014, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phinneyj

I had been meaning to upgrade the fire bottle. Now I will, and I am going to install a halon system in the engine compartment with an alert system for the dash. I am fairly certain that had I done so in the first place damage would have been negligible and I would be on the road in a few days. As it was, the fire had time to do damage and the Dry chem I dumped in there needs to be removed thoroughly or else more problems down the road.

I am thankful for saving the rig. Not sure how much yet....

When you do talk to Mac, he will NOT recommend any Halon for the engine compartment. His recommendation with be a large size bottle of AFFF with either a fixed head or a remote head.

Halon is only good in a small confined compartment.

Get with Mac and he will give you the best information for protecting various areas of your coach.

I had a long talk with him back in 2010 prior to hitting the road on my lifelong journey.

I installed the 3 liter S-200 AFFF with remote head in my engine compartment, Halon in my NotSoCold fridge compartment which has been reallocated to the Inverter compartment when I converted to residential fridge. I have another Halon in my Aqua-Hot compartment. A 1 liter Cold Fire handheld near the front exit, various small handheld Cold Fire in the coach and car. I plan to get a 1.5 gallon SS-400 AFFF portable from Mac where I can mix my own solution and have it recharged myself. I will use that at the entry way and then reallocate the Cold Fire one someplace else.

Do not delay in talking with Mac. He will give you the straight scoop.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

NorthernDriv · 07-24-2014, 05:10 PM

Heal quick!
We have 2 X 5lbs & 1 X 2 1/2 lbs extinguishers on board.

phinneyj · 07-24-2014, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jstoney

I have 10# Halotron (replaces the Holons) by my entrance door, as my first responce. I have the 5# powder all over for the last to use.
The Halotron is made by American Corp

Jim

That's a good setup.....

phinneyj · 07-30-2014, 01:10 AM

So, here I am. Sitting in my rig at the Olive Ave. RV Park in Vista, CA. finalizing this post. This was my original destination when the breakdown occurred. The park owners graciously waived my cancellation penalties when I called after the fire that I just had to finish my original commitment to stay on their property. It is a nice new park located 20 minutes from Legoland. Rates are reasonable. Check them out. One little quirk are that the concrete pads are uneven fore and aft. The provide some nice blocks to raise the low end up.

It has been a long two months. The fire had time to do some significant damage. All of it contained in the engine compartment. Earlier detection would have saved time and money. I am planning on adding a detection system. Suppression will be through the use of a clean agent backed up by a dry powder. Two thirds of repair costs are labor hours. I have yet to see the invoice as a few things still need to be done between Cummins and National General. The biggie was replacing two 60 foot A/C lines running from the A/C compressor attached to the motor and run to the front of coach.

I spent today (pickup appointment) at Cummins while they sent it out to get the A/C system charged. (Final item on punch list) It came back from Kenworth with a leak that will need to be fixed before it can be charged. It will take an extra day or so to fix. We needing to get back north as we are moving into this full time. I have the coach now with no A/C coming from the dash with a drive north during a central valley heat wave. We will arrange with Cummins Pacific in West Sacramento, my home shop, to finish up the work order and fix the leak. A little inconvenient but a workable solution.

This final part of the journey has been difficult. The cumulative stress from this and other issues has been like a wet blanket. Hopefully, thinks will get better from here.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and well wishes. It helps to keep me connected to this new adventure we are trying to embark on. Or, are we already on it?

Dr4Film · 07-30-2014, 06:32 AM

Jeff,

Fire up your generator and run your rooftop A/C's to cool things down inside as best as you can without the dash air system working.

Glad that you can see a light at the end of a long dark tunnel.

The very BEST early detection devices are Smoke/Fire Alarms that are interconnected so that if one goes off it can be heard by all of them.

However, I haven't quite figured out if that ever happened, lets say you have four units placed in different locations inside and outside the coach how do you quickly determine which location is the problem?

Good luck and safe travels going forward.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

tednruthy · 07-30-2014, 09:46 AM

I bought a 2014 Newmar Ventana and within 2 months I bought a automatic foam system for the engine compartment from Mac. It is a rear radiator and there isn't even a place I could stick a fire extinguisher hose in to squirt let alone look see any sort of leaks or other issues. Peace of mind... Priceless... Ted