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Dick_B's avatar
Dick_B
Explorer
Mar 08, 2014

Halotron fire extinguisher

A search in this Forum yielded lots of discussion about fire extinguishers but nary a comment on the Halotron extinguisher that is the recommended replacement for halon. I have always been bothered by the CO2 powder extinguishers needed an occasional shakeup to keep the powder from caking on the bottom. The old halon models were the answer but were deemed a hazard to the environment. Halotron extinguishers are Coast Guard approved and are perfectly legal. A search of the Camping World website did not show any for sale.
So why aren't any (many) RVers using them?

Later: received a response from CW that they only sell extinguishers in their stores because they cannot ship them. They did not specifically mention the halotron models.

6 Replies

  • One can do a Google search for `halon vs halotron' or vice versa and get an explanation of the difference. One difference is that halon can no longer be manufactured in the US but halotron has no such restriction.
  • John Wayne wrote:
    Look up Mac the Fire guy he sells liquid filled extinguishers, no more settling problems or the toxicity of the powder extinguishers. Gives fire seminars at large RV rallies


    X2

    We carry a large (1.5 gal) compressed air foam. the HAWK model as scene here on Mack's web site.
  • What is the difference between the Halon stuff & the Halotron.

    I know the Halon stuff depletes the oxygen, learned that while driving a gas tanker, because it is used at the loading terminals & if the alarm goes off, you have 5 seconds to get away from the loading area or be carried out in a body bag.
    Thanks, Neil
  • Look up Mac the Fire guy he sells liquid filled extinguishers, no more settling problems or the toxicity of the powder extinguishers. Gives fire seminars at large RV rallies
  • rockhillmanor wrote:
    I'll just add a tip to this fire extinguisher thread what I learned at an "RV rally at the Fire Department booth" as an RV'ing FYI.

    The small extinguisher that comes with most RV's settles to the bottom and becomes NON functioning when needed.

    The fire department did a demonstration and warned all RV'ers that these extinguishers settle down to the bottom and will NOT work.

    You have to 'routinely' shake them for them to be of instant use when needed in an emergency. When your RV is burning down to the ground taking the time to shake one back into use if it even that works, is time lost.

    Personally I was shocked that this is not noted anywhere on these RV extinguishers.

    I went out that day and bought 2 huge industrial fire extinguishers for the MH.


    I do not want to get into a debate on this issue and I am glad to see that you purchased larger extinguishers, but if you purchased the powder types and use them in the RV the powder will still settle in the bottom of the extinguisher and have to be shaken or turned upside down and tapped with a rubber mallet to loosen the powder.

    As an answer to the OP question as to why they don't use Halotron, I would guess that it is because of cost. I quickly looked up the cost of a 5lb extinguisher and was around $150.00 and up. That seems to be a lot if you never have to use it. You would also probably want more than one since you would need one in front and one in the back of the RV so that it would be available if needed.

    This is just my thought's as someone who has been there in the service and in the work force.
  • I'll just add a tip to this fire extinguisher thread what I learned at an "RV rally at the Fire Department booth" as an RV'ing FYI.

    The small extinguisher that comes with most RV's settles to the bottom and becomes NON functioning when needed.

    The fire department did a demonstration and warned all RV'ers that these extinguishers settle down to the bottom and will NOT work.

    You have to 'routinely' shake them for them to be of instant use when needed in an emergency. When your RV is burning down to the ground taking the time to shake one back into use if it even that works, is time lost.

    Personally I was shocked that this is not noted anywhere on these RV extinguishers.

    I went out that day and bought 2 huge industrial fire extinguishers for the MH.

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