At 08:42 AM 1/7/01 -0800, Bill Davidson wrote:

>The power in ABC fire extinguishers will settle to the bottom and being to
>'cake' over time. Power in this condition will not flow and is useless for
>putting out a fire. The local shop that specializes in fire extinguishers
>recommends having them refilled every to or three years to assure that this
>does not happen. Take the fire extinguisher to such a shop (see the yellow
>pages) and ask them if it can be refilled. If it can not be refilled don't
>depend on it to put out a fire.
>
>Bill

This is a good point for all of us.  I assume everyone is carrying a name
brand 1A 10BC or better extinguisher with them at all times.  To keep it
from caking, be sure to take it out of it's bracket and shake it
upside-down every time you vacuum the interior.  This takes about 2
minutes.  You will be able to hear the stuff moving around when it's
free.  My 2A 20BC can take up to 30 seconds of shaking before I hear it
loosen-up.  If you ever need it, and free powder extinguisher is a
beautiful thing.

Chris Smith
'82 Westy
'74 Thing
Some cars that even run!