69 L88 distroyed by fire

[Ray G.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Hello again;

Additionally by disconnecting negative first and connecting negative last, there is less chance of an arc causing a battery gas explosion.

There is also the occasion when a battery is connected backwards.
It is more difficult to establish a ground circuit. Momentary positive cable connection establishes a circuit if grounds are connected first.

The early GM diodes can take 110 volts, and live, as shown to students at GM training centers when Delcotrons first where introduced, but later models cannot take the arc at the Delcotron.

Hope this helps.
Ray

[Houston U.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

I know it's important to document this if it is in deed an L88. This I haven't confirmed and I need to tread lightly with info and privacy/insurance. Owning several 60's, I too would like to know. I'll update all with what I can, just please understand my circumstances.

[Ridge K.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

How about a quick tip for fellow Corvette owners about fire extinguishers. I retired from the fire service in the spring of 2005, after 29 years of service within the firefighting division of a moderately large, municipal fire department.
Many Corvette owners will have a fire extinguisher that they carry in their Corvette, but most of these are a type of extinguisher commonly called a "dry powder", or "dry chemical" fire extinguisher. Those small fire extinguishers actually do a very good job of either extinguishing a small to moderate fire, or at least containing it until better help arrives. Their downside however, is that they make the biggest mess you have ever seen in your life
In your shop, garage, or home, there is a much better extinguisher available for the type of fire that has been discussed in this thread (under dash with an electrical start). A better choice is a CO2 type fire extinguisher. These are simply not as commonly found, or seen, as the more common dry powder extinguisher. They are also considerably more expensive to purchase, but if needed, they are extremely effective, and leave virtually no mess whatsoever. They fight class B (flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline), and class C fires (electrical). They are not effective on class A (ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, or cardboard).

The contents will discharge at full handle pressure in from 15 seconds, up to about 60 seconds, which may not sound like much time, but typically is enough time to knock down the fire pretty effectively. And, no mess to clean up. The CO2 gas being expelled is extremely cold while being discharged, so these extinguishers will commonly spew out pellets similar to pieces of dry ice, which also aids in fire suppression, by absorbing and reducing the heat of the fire. In short, they are very effective, and could, save your own Corvette.

[Gary C.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Ridge, and in a bind work good to cool your drinks with too. Gary....

[Tom M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

I know it's important to document this if it is in deed an L88. This I haven't confirmed and I need to tread lightly with info and privacy/insurance. Owning several 60's, I too would like to know. I'll update all with what I can, just please understand my circumstances.

We do , thanks for your info, we can wait

[Ridge K.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Gary, that's a nice little "side effect" that can come in handy. I thought only firemen knew that trick.

[Jean C.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Ridge, what is your take on the extinguishers that use Halatron, the general replacement for Halon? Fumes that result from Halatron use are stated on the label as being toxic and like Halon, Halatron probably should not be used in a confined space. I believe it to be for Class B & C fires only.
Best regards,

[Joe T.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

We had a small grease fire in our indoor grill in our kitchen a short time ago. I had a Halon 1201(?) extinguisher handy. I NEVER saw a fire extinguished so quickly. Halon is expensive (if you can even get it) but I cannot imagine anything working quicker. Its what's in my cars today

[Ridge K.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

I work in a room that is protected by a Halon system. The containers (I think there are five or six of them) are about 7 feet high and about three or four feet in diameter. We are a single story computer center, so we probably are smaller than the Sabre system. To the best of my knowledge in almost 20 years there has never been a fire in our facility, but we still have regular drills which literally stop all the work that we control. Our drills consist of evacuation.

I recall seeing a demonstration at a National Safety Council convention in which a smoker enclosed in a clear plastic box had his cigarette extinguished by Halon while he continued to breathe. The demonstrator emphasized that the system had to be properly designed, but could allow life to continue while extinguishing combustion.

[Jean C.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Ridge, thanks for the comments which reinforce what I thought I knew of both Halon and Halatron. It was my understanding that both products when used in a closed environment can be deadly. My experience comes from a Halon system installed in a computer room in Angola where we had an alarm (both visual and audio) that alerted for "X" seconds before the Halon system actually fired, giving those in the immediate area time to vacate the computer room. I guess what I do not yet understand is, is either Halon or Halatron when used in an open environement, say in an open area with no confinement of the gas, 100% effective since both gases act to deplete oxygen from the area where the gas is discharged.

I recall my Halatron extinguisher was right at $100 and I thought it to be a 5 lb bottle, but perhaps it is 2.5 lbs. I understand the dry powder systems, in addition to causing a big mess, actually contain an agent that will attack certain metals and cause a bigger problem. I have not confirmed that, just word of mouth.

Actually, I like the idea of being able to cool a drink with a CO2 safety device! You may not always need a fire extinguisher, but a cool drink is often necessary. Short sighted thinking for sure.

Thanks for your comments.
Best regards,

[Bill M.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

How about a quick tip for fellow Corvette owners about fire extinguishers. I retired from the fire service in the spring of 2005, after 29 years of service within the firefighting division of a moderately large, municipal fire department.
Many Corvette owners will have a fire extinguisher that they carry in their Corvette, but most of these are a type of extinguisher commonly called a "dry powder", or "dry chemical" fire extinguisher. Those small fire extinguishers actually do a very good job of either extinguishing a small to moderate fire, or at least containing it until better help arrives. Their downside however, is that they make the biggest mess you have ever seen in your life
In your shop, garage, or home, there is a much better extinguisher available for the type of fire that has been discussed in this thread (under dash with an electrical start). A better choice is a CO2 type fire extinguisher. These are simply not as commonly found, or seen, as the more common dry powder extinguisher. They are also considerably more expensive to purchase, but if needed, they are extremely effective, and leave virtually no mess whatsoever. They fight class B (flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline), and class C fires (electrical). They are not effective on class A (ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, or cardboard).

The contents will discharge at full handle pressure in from 15 seconds, up to about 60 seconds, which may not sound like much time, but typically is enough time to knock down the fire pretty effectively. And, no mess to clean up. The CO2 gas being expelled is extremely cold while being discharged, so these extinguishers will commonly spew out pellets similar to pieces of dry ice, which also aids in fire suppression, by absorbing and reducing the heat of the fire. In short, they are very effective, and could, save your own Corvette.

Ridge:

Thanks for the tip. I carry a Halon in my car, but had a dry chemical in the garage. I just found a used big (weighs 32 lb.) CO2 for just over $100. It was just inspected so it's good for 5 years. The place I bought it is close to home and will refill for $6.25 It seems too big, but probably won't be too big if I have a fire! (I have a Holley and a Rochester FI, so the chance of a fire is better than remote.)

Bill

[Houston U.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

OK, here goes. I contacted the owner and discovered the following info: Vette is a 68 Coupe w/L71 & M21 tranny. Numbers and photos owner provided indicates this as an all original car. He has the original tri-power set up in storage. Block is 321 with IR suffix and was in car at time of fire along with M21. I'm sorry for all the confusion, just was going by Fire Marshal's report of 69 L88.

[Paul L.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

Halotron in my 1974.

[Ridge K.]

Re: 69 L88 distroyed by fire

OK, here goes. I contacted the owner and discovered the following info: Vette is a 68 Coupe w/L71 & M21 tranny. Numbers and photos owner provided indicates this as an all original car. He has the original tri-power set up in storage. Block is 321 with IR suffix and was in car at time of fire along with M21. I'm sorry for all the confusion, just was going by Fire Marshal's report of 69 L88.

Houston, possibly you were off for a little bit about what type of Corvette it was, but I think you've actually done a huge service to the members reading this thread, in getting them thinking about possibly preventing a serious fire in their own Corvettes. My hat is off to you, Sir.