Wednesday, 12 DECEMBER
HUNTING ISLAND STATE PARK — SOUTH CAROLINA
TEMPS: LO 52F / HI 59F (15.5C / 21C)
Rain, rain, and more rain. That about sums up today. The rain started in earnest around 8:00a and, except for one very brief lull, hasn’t stopped since. The pitter patter on the roof of the Phaeton sounds like an inexperienced recruit trying to figure out how to shoot a machine gun! I like the sound the raindrops make, though, so I don’t mind.
We puttered around the Phaeton all day, using the weather as an excuse to work on projects that were back-burnered for days just like this one. Our camera equipment got a good going over and has been organized — yippee! And several small to-do items have been checked off the list — yippee on that too. The bonus of all this hard work: one cabinet in the living room has been emptied; and we have empty storage bins under the bed … double yippee!
Since we didn’t do anything remotely blog-worthy on this auspicious date of 12.12.12, I thought I’d finally post about a Phaeton mod that Mui worked on earlier this year — the installation of fire extinguishers at key points around the motorhome, and most importantly, in the engine bay.
He researched the topic at length, read through the information Mike Q. (RV Cruiser) has on his website (www.rvcruzer.com/fireindex.php), and consulted with Mac the Fire Guy (www.macthefireguy.com), a well-respected expert on the topic. Here’s what he ended up purchasing and installing:
-
FOR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT:
auto-deploying remote SS-200-R4 Foam extinguisher;
286°F (141C) temperature-triggered
The SS-200 comes with two brackets; Mui added a third one (not shown here) for increased stability.
First step, find and remove the well-hidden engine cover panel in the bedroom.
The engine compartment in the Phaeton is accessed from between the bed and the closet.
Next, check out the engine compartment for optimum placement of the extinguisher.
In the tight working quarters, there was no good way of getting photos of the actual install. The Fire Fight Products website states that “If you can run a screw gun, you can install these systems!” Mui concurs; it really was easy. Once he figured out the best placement, he screwed in the three brackets, then slid the extinguisher through them and tightened the brackets for a secure fit. That was it.
Two brackets installed; the third one is about to be screwed into place.
 |  |
Installation complete.
[click photos for larger images]
A job well done … but Mui, you’re a mess!
And now, for some photos to show that we had fun with this install …
Mui gets into a tight spot …
 |  |
… It wasn’t much better for me, but I could at least fit without flipping up the bed.
And of course, I was there for a photo op once the install was completed.
FOR THE COCKPIT:
SS-45 hand-held extinguisher; rechargeable
 |  |
The non-corrosive SS-45 (rack included) replaced the existing extinguisher in the cockpit (which, by the way, is corrosive). The bottle didn’t fit on the floor next to the co-pilot seat, where the original one was installed, so we placed it by the driver’s seat; it remains accessible even when the seat is turned around to the driving position and the slides are pulled in.
(P.S. We installed the extinguisher that was in the Phaeton in the trunk of the toad — waste not, want not!)
- FOR AROUND THE COACH:
SS-20 hand-held extinguishers; three of them came as a kit with the SS-45;
used bicycle water bottle holders as easy-access racks
A WalMart-purchased bicycle water bottle holder works well as an inexpensive, easy-access rack for the SS-20 installed next to the dinette window. Mui did a similar install in the space between the bedroom window and the washer/dryer closet. The third extinguisher in the kit is our spare.
Mui ordered everything through the Fire Guy and received a discount over the prices listed on the Fire Fight Products website.
We’ve all seen the horrific photos of RV fires; the danger is real. Taking precautions, just like one might do in a stix & brix is the smart thing to do. This was an essential mod in our opinion, and well worth every penny.
Oh .. and another smart move … installing a carbon monoxide detector. The Phaeton has a hard-wired detector in the kitchen; we added a plug-in one in the bedroom.
And also … remember to check/replace the batteries in all detectors on a regular basis — we do so when we spring forward to daylight saving time, and again when we fall back to regular time.
Safety First!
Good job. The only thing Mui forgot to do was dust the engine!
ReplyDeleteOmigoodness, I never would have thought about those extra fire extinguishers. I am going to show this to Mo. We have just the basics, and try to be sure that everything is operating, but that is it. We did replace our carbon monoxide detector, but have only one since there isn't much distance between the bed area and the rest of the rig. Oh yippee....the long lens will be coming out, I am sure. and yes...I am among the living tonight...at last!
ReplyDeletegreat reminder about safety first!!! Good job on all the installations!
ReplyDeleteGreat job guys.
ReplyDeleteWe had already done a similar install in the engine compartment and added a CO detector in the bedroom. We purchased all of our extinguishers thru Mac the Fire Guy as well and I like Mui's use of the bicycle water bottle racks. I'll add those to our setup as well.
Travel safe.
Steve, the type of water holder racks shown in the pictures worked best; we tried one of the other models, but the fit was too loose.
DeleteErin, as usual, your timing is perfect!
ReplyDeleteWe've got the ugly weather here too. Rain and BIG WINDS. I saw a flood warning for Hunting Island this morning. Some of the ocean front sites in the section you are in get closed due to water. Pretty sure you are far enough away that it won't cause you any problem but you'll get to see some interesting water work I'll bet.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are great at having important things to blog about even when you are stuck inside. Great topic. We have fire extinguishers in front and back but not in the engine compartment. I'll forward this on to "my mechanic"! thanks!!
Nice job, you can't have enough fire extingushers. I added an additonal one outside in my propane compartment. It doesn't have a lock on it so it can be accessed quickly for an outside emergency.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip -- we'll put the spare there.
DeleteMakes me smile when I learn something. Great post. Now all I have to do is get an RV. We have been in the shopping mode for some time now. Big step. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully deployed. May they never, ever be put to use!
ReplyDeleteI am not crazy about rainy days, but They do get us moving on our to-do list.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the fire extinguishers. We have them all over in our fifth wheel also. I like the idea of putting one in the toad. We could put one in our truck. Great idea.
We ran into Mac and his seminar at a rally just as we started fulltiming. We, too, purchased the works plus one for the refridgerator (we have since switch out to a residential frig). I felt much safer. I love the water bottle holder for the small ones. Thanks for the idea! Great work, Mui!
ReplyDelete