ARCHIVE Under Seat Mounted Fire Extinguisher Mount, need feedback.

[NLXTACY]

Well, I didn't really want to show my hand until everything was ready to go and on the shelf ready to ship. But on this one particular project I find myself needing feedback. The few folks that know about this project aren't big on electrical projects so I figured I would let the rest of the interested MUD folks weigh on a few things.

I started this Extinguisher Mount project almost three years ago. I had purchased the Pegasus in-cab/under-hood fire suppression system but it just sat in my project pile with 50 other Land Cruiser projects. I made an intermediate mount for a standard 2.5# extinguisher but I didn't really like it much so I never showed it off. After changing the design a few times and adding some extras I got to a point that I was much happier with.

But now it dawned on me that not everyone has the same inclinations I do when it comes to projects. So this is where you folks come in. I'm actually looking for suggestions and some feedback so that I can finally get the final production on these done and on the shelf ready to go.

Here is the Solid Works screencap. As you can see it mounts to the two front bolts that hold down the seat. The side by the transmission hump is angled in to better clear the hump. The front face has hole spacing for several (13 so far) different types of extinguisher mounts. The top flat area is for mounting other "stuff". The two holes on the left wing are for the Wits' End data plate.

So the questions are:
1. Either under the data plate holes or on the top flat surface, would it benefit anyone to have a knock out for a Toyota switch (the flat later model)? Or another type of switch? Or a switch at all?
2. Because the area on top will be flat, I will be incorporating a spot to attach a flashlight, knife, seat belt cutter, window punch. Anything else you could see needing super quick access to?
3. I will be powdercoating these black which is the same black as all of the rest of my stuff. I'm considering pulling a couple and keeping them raw steel, any interest in those in case someone wants to add their own flair?

Here are some pics of the prototypes being test fit...

 

[canman]

We decided to mount a fire extinguisher like that on one of our military trucks after being told so by a former CWO. When the vehicles were finally fielded we rec'd a flurry of complaints and no one ever put it there because they were always kicking it.

 

[Tredwards]

I love this idea. I definitely would get one depending on price. I have been contemplating a similar much less well executed project than what you are making for my 2.5 lb fire extinguisher that sits on the passenger seat currently. Could always use more switch places. Love the idea of putting all the safety items in a easy to get to location. Great idea. I love most of your projects, some a little overboard, but always top notch materials and well executed.

 

[Tredwards]

The kicking it was my only concern as well but haven't been able to find any better place to put it so it's easily accessible and doesn't interfere with anyone else's foot space. Now if I get a different console that may change placement for me.

 

[NLXTACY]

We decided to mount a fire extinguisher like that on one of our military trucks after being told so by a former CWO. When the vehicles were finally fielded we rec'd a flurry of complaints and no one ever put it there because they were always kicking it.

Thats what I thought at first. But it hasn't bothered me at all. Actually I take that back, it bothered me once during a 5-hr drive because I was in cruiser control and just wanted to kick back. But I got over it pretty darn quick.

 

[OffGridOverland]

Have you mounted one up completely yet?

I'd be worried of a few things, corners and fire extinguishers.
if someone slides out of their lifted or stock LC, are they going to drag a leg or back over it coming out?

F.E. have all sorts of sharp corners, pins and nozzles.

I like it. You could incorporate one with a storage door. With a lock.
I'd put my wallet or my ammo in there. Or off to the side my firearm.

 

[NLXTACY]

I love this idea. I definitely would get one depending on price. I have been contemplating a similar much less well executed project than what you are making for my 2.5 lb fire extinguisher that sits on the passenger seat currently. Could always use more switch places. Love the idea of putting all the safety items in a easy to get to location. Great idea. I love most of your projects, some a little overboard, but always top notch materials and well executed.

Thanks for that. I am making one for both sides. I tried am ambidextrous design but then it just looked horrible. The same design works with the 60 series as well, its just a little bit longer but I will be doing both at the same time.

So a vote for more switches. Do you have a preference for up top or on the side?

 

[OffGridOverland]

Could you install it to mount behind the seat vs the front? Not sure how seat adjustments might like it. But it might make a,good home there.

 

[NLXTACY]

Have you mounted one up completely yet?

Yes. Works fine for me. There is one issue, and this is for the *cough* vertically challenged. If you need the seat moved all the way forward, you will lose the ability to use the top platform at all. If you are an extreme steering wheel hugger then any fire extinguisher will be an issue there.

I'd be worried of a few things, corners and fire extinguishers.
if someone slides out of their lifted or stock LC, are they going to drag a leg or back over it coming out? F.E. have all sorts of sharp corners, pins and nozzles.

No issues going in or out. Of course I'm 6' so if you are throwing your knee in first then I don't know, maybe you could hit it. But thats a stretch. No hard corners and nothing sharp, that's what deburring tools are for

As for the extinguisher itself, I made the mounting holes in such a way that the nozzle is pointed to towards the trans hump and where it was possible, nozzle pointed down.

I like it. You could incorporate one with a storage door. With a lock.
I'd put my wallet or my ammo in there. Or off to the side my firearm.

I considered it at the beginning but now I have other stuff coming that takes care of that issue

 

[NLXTACY]

Could you install it to mount behind the seat vs the front? Not sure how seat adjustments might like it. But it might make a,good home there.

The mounting changes for the rear facing bolts. If you have rear passengers then it sucks...hard.

 

[scottryana]

Mount it on the passenger side not the drivers side. Easy for the driver to reach over and get to, it won't cause any problems with the pedals if the quick release latches get kicked and it ends up loose. Nice looking piece!

 

[NLXTACY]

Mount it on the passenger side not the drivers side. Easy for the driver to reach over and get to, it won't cause any problems with the pedals if the quick release latches get kicked and it ends up loose. Nice looking piece!

I think yes, if you are mounting the cheapy KIDDIE extinguisher with the plastic mount (ugh) then it could happen where a careful kick could unlatch it. The others use a pull pin or clasps, no danger there.

I will have it for both sides so the option in the there.

 

[scottryana]

No most auto racing h3r or halotron extinguishers use a quick release buckle so that in an emergency you can get them out quickly. Flicking that buckle with your foot, clothes, etc. would have the extinguisher loose.

This is the extinguisher I use in all my cars. It is a clean agent extinguisher so you don't have the residue.

http://www.h3raviation.com/halotron_b385tsc.htm

 

[NLXTACY]

No most auto racing h3r or halotron extinguishers use a quick release buckle so that in an emergency you can get them out quickly. Flicking that buckle with your foot, clothes, etc. would have the extinguisher loose.

This is the extinguisher I use in all my cars. It is a clean agent extinguisher so you don't have the residue.

http://www.h3raviation.com/halotron_b385tsc.htm

Did you see the photo? All I use is H3R Halon. Refills are expensive but not having the residue is nice.

So this is the extinguisher I have mounted and I haven't come across the issue but I'll throw on some pants and take a drive and see what I can figure out.

 

[scottryana]

Yep, and those buckles are quick release just give them a little flick, they open right up. Not saying it is going to happen every trip, but like you were saying with cruise control on you might want to move your feet around, etc. The likely hood of it happening while mounted on the driver side is a lot higher than if it is mounted on the passenger side. The 2.5lbs aren't as bad since they have 2 buckles but the larger 5lb only has 1.

 

[NLXTACY]

Yep, and those buckles are quick release just give them a little flick, they open right up. Not saying it is going to happen every trip, but like you were saying with cruise control on you might want to move your feet around, etc. The likely hood of it happening while mounted on the driver side is a lot higher than if it is mounted on the passenger side.

This is true. Using the Drake or Kartek mount negates that issue because its a pull pin and used hose clamps.

 

[jeffro109]

I considered it at the beginning but now I have other stuff coming that takes care of that issue

So what you're saying is that you are already trying to up-sell us another product??

I was going to mention a cutout to essentially "holster" a pistol into...


At a minimum some holes to mount things to the top would be nice as you are showing in the pics....some holes I could connect the dots with to make a cutout to holster a pistol into would be better.

 

[Test Eagle]

I want one! Please let me know when they're available.

 

[azcrackshot]

Thank you for taking the time to R&D this product. I am very interested and have been holding off on mounting my fire extinguisher in hopes that I could find a nice mounting solution. With the particular bottle and mount I have it would be better if the front mounting plate followed the same angle as the floor does. This would put the quick pull pin at the proper angle. I have the Safecraft model PB with halon 1211. I could make it work the way you have it as well so I am in for one with black powder coat and no holes drilled on the mounting surface.

 

[NLXTACY]

I want one! Please let me know when they're available.

Thanks and will do. I was ready to go into production today but these questions were nagging me. Production is quick because I have everything lined up and ready to go.