Onboard fire

[Chris Liebenberg]

Once again I would appreciate the valuable input from Microlighters members.

I have installed an Elide Fire extinguisher in the engine compartment of my Bushbaby, and would like to hear if anybody else did this before, and if there are any negative factors that I neglected to consider.

The Elide Fire is a round ball weighing only 1.3 Kg, that can be mounted any place where the possibility of a fire exist.

The ball will explode within 3 seconds after exposed to a naked flame, and release the extinguishing substance.

The Elide Fire is suitable for the following types of fires:
• Fires involving carbonaceous solids such as wood, paper rubber and plastic.
• Fires involving flammable and combustible liquids
• Fires involving electricity.

Since an onboard fire is my greatest scare, I decided to install this device that will automatically trigger in the case of a fire.

[Ledz]

Hey, Chris.

I'm no expert, far from it on this subject. I've seen similar units placed in radio control jets inside the fuselage to go off if a hot start or such occurs so that it doesn't melt all the electronics and equipment before you can get the bird down.

My question to you, and I'm sure you put some thought into its placement, but when all the baffles and separating gubbins are in place, does the airflow/swirling inside the cowl during flight determine the efficiency of this unit? Will it coat it around or just suck it out is what I'm asking. Then, in an electrical fire say, you would be able to kill the master hopefully and proceed with a precautionary, but if this went off, could it clog your air filter and kill the motor? Obviously, in an oil or fuel fire, engine off in any case.

Just my thoughts at first sight of your installation. Nice piece of kit!

Regards,
Ledz