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Subject:Halon Fire Extinguishers in Vanagons
From:PSavage
Date:Thu, 9 Nov 2000 08:41:40 -0800

Has anyone found a way/location to install a
Halon fire extinguisher in a Westy's engine compartment?
I installed one of these in the engine compartment of my
Ericson 32 sailboat & it gave me immense security.

Among boaters, this installation is routine.
 I heard a while ago that Halon extinguishers were no longer available, due
to environmental concernes, but perhaps that is only here in CA.

For those unfamiliar with Halon, it is a type suitable for use only in an
enclosed area, for it is automatic & instantly "smothers"
any fire.  It is well know among boaters that these Halons have been know to
extinguish a fire to fast that the owner's had no
knowlege of the explosion at the time, only discovering the evidence later
when inspecting the engine compartment!

Normally a dyed-in-the-wool CA "tree hugger"--I am willing
to defy this current ban on Halon for the extra measure of safety it
provides, especially since the need for it's deployment is slim.
Surely, a Vanagon aflame is more environmentally damaging than the
deployment of a small cannister of halon gas!
Peace,
Phaedra
'85 Westy-Wolf