Thanks for the video. I would not try to refill my extinguisher this way BUT I do have plans to use an extinguisher to hold compressed air, and this video was helpful.
A correction: The chemical in ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers is monoammonium phosphate. Also, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is not rated to put out the same kinds of fires. Monoammonium phosphate is non-toxic and is classified only as a nuisance dust (just like breathing dust when you are sweeping a dusty floor).
Hopefully no one takes this video seriously. Cool project to make a smoke shooter or something however a dry chemical fire extinguisher must only be recharged with Mono Ammonium Phosphate. The pressurising gas has to be dry Nitrogen as compressed air (Oxygen) is full of moisture (water) over time this can clump the power causing the fire extinguisher not to discharge properly, as well as begin to corrode the interior of the steel cylinder.
At least with these, you could cheat the system. But it won't really be advisable though. 😁 😂 😂 Its highly dangerous if I may say, since other pipz around won't know if that extinguisher is working or not. Imagine using it as means to cut off a fire, then it actually made the fire worst. 😂 Imagine a fire station system burning. 😂 😂
@bigbadklev It's not illegal, you just aren't supposed to and the only difference between refillable and disposable is refillable is a bit sturdier, and the nozzle screws off for the presurizing head, and the guage is marked in PSI and KPA aswell as green/red
OK people who are freaking out saying it wont work, it does!!!! I tryed it and it worked. I had the same extunguisher only it was white not red, and it only put out B and C fires.... so yah...
ABC dry chemical is : monoammonium phosphate, which is yellow. This would have been what was originally in this fire extinguisher. This extinguisher was not intended to be refilled, but discarded. What this guy is doing is a felony in some states, but it's RU-vid - so whatever. It's never a good idea to try to unscrew the valve of ANY pressurized cylinder. (Don't rely on the cheap little gauge to tell you it doesn't have pressure in it). This is pretty dangerous if you do not know what you are doing, so good luck to whoever wants to play around with this. BTW, nitrogen is used instead of air because it doesn't have moisture. dry chemical turns into a bunch of clumpy rocks when it is exposed to moisture. Be safe :}
I'd like to add something. after cleaning the threads and inspecting the compression oring my units still leaked. I detected this with soapy bubble solution. after 26 years I guess they have just worn out. thanks for the clue about making a better air filler.
Refill them with flour or corn starch and give them to people you don’t like. If they ever use them they will get a grain dust explosion that will blow the roof off their house.
@npadul30 Make the nozzle smaller with a reducer such as a plastic ring that fits into the nozzle make sure the reducer is secured strongly. If you make the hole about half the original size it will take much longer for it to release the air yet it will retain a considerable amount of volume released.
@sean juth Correct, otherwise it doesn't pressurize it to complete pressure. My compressor only puts out 150 psi and it only pressurized my fire extinguishers to 3/4 full.
my job is fire and Safety. I recharge extinguishers daily. That is kidde fire extinguishers, they are the dollar tree of extinguishers . your lucky that did not explode. those are no rechargeable extinguishers not safe to do that.
The extinguisher was originally filled with Sodium Bi-Carbonate Phosphate, which was not the original powder that you dumped out. Sodium Bi-carbonate Phosphate dust is so fine it spreads like crazy through the air when you spill a tiny drop. IDK what you just dumped out. Flour?
Can it be re-pressurized with CO2? I'm wondering if air is really OK because it has oxygen in it and wouldn't that make the fire get bigger? The pros use Nitrogen, but I'm fresh out of pure nitrogen.
That's a non-rechargeable fire extinguisher.. after it's used u throw it away.. I noticed the pressure gauge is white.. those are disposable and not subject to 6yr maintenances or hydrotests
200 psi for full pressure. My compressor put out 150 psi and it only charges them back to 75% full of pressure. Which in my eyes is better than nothing.
Hi, I got 1kg ABC fire extinguisher. I would like to turn it into Co2 tank for my planted aquarium. Can I dispose the content "powder" and wash clean, and refill with Co2. It is safe to do?
This type/make of this extinguisher is the most dangerous made. The heads and gauges are well known for blowing off while refilling. Not to smart if you try this.
As "unsafe" as it is, the people saying that filling it with air is dumb because oxygen fuels fire, this is true, but who's saying its necessarily for fire fighting use again? As a special effects makeup artist, I personally use fire extinguishers to spray blood and other fluids all the time. Fighting fire, dumb. Alternative uses, ehh... a little less dumb. Lol
if you run a 1/8" NPT tap down that nylon "horn" is what they call it..its the same thread as the blow guns so a 1/8 pipe nipple can make handling the pressure easier. Not responsible if it blows out on you but 100 psi is small. 195 psi I'd watch it doesn't fly out.
Do you think it's smart filling an extinguisher with air. Last time I checked air feeds a fire. Nitrogen or CO2 displaces oxygen, (helping put the fire out as well). Extinguishers should be filled with nitrogen
Why did that last only about 2 seconds? It looked like it was fully charged with your air hose. Those sizes are supposed to last about 8 or 10 seconds to fully discharge.
Pressure depends on the extinguisher itself, also, any power type should be charged with nitrogen. As it is a dry gas that has very little if any fluctuation in pressure due to temperature. Keeps the powder from becoming a brick.
Explain again the procedure for putting the air in it. Can I just recharge the one I have without opening it? Which handle do I hold or to refill with pressure do I even need to press any handle?
Yeah, usually firefighters seem to be at least partially immune to the "we are in a position of authority so we think we're better than you" that other folks in other related services seem to get. So I suspect this poster isn't really a firefighter - and if they are, they should get their ego checked. That being said - I sure as hell wouldn't refill a fire extinguisher. Some areas not worth saving money on - this is definitely one.
this is just flat out stupid on so many levels. Portable extinguishers are pressurized with dry nitrogen, not compressed air. It's monoammonium phosphate-based powder for ABC, consumer-grade baking soda is not used. All dry chemicals have anti-caking agents mixed in them. This is not reliable, and no fire extinguisher dealer will service a unit with a plastic head. Period. Fire extinguisher service is NOT A DIY PROJECT. That aluminum bottle can rupture. I can't believe I'm seeing this.
