Quote:
Originally Posted by zefarelly
You don't need a doctorate from Oxbridge to look at the needle and put a new sticker on  |
This is a fairly common mis-conception of what a correct motorsport service comprises, however for Lifeline AFFF extiguishers for example a service comprises emptying the bottle, removing the valve assembly, washing and visually inspecting the bottle, dip tube and other components, refilling with new extinguishant, refitting the valve assembly and pressure gauge using new O-rings and re-pressurising with nitrogen. Agreed the process is not massively complex process but it does require care, diligence and the right equipment and spares.
Most industrial extinguisher services comprise the weigh/pressure check and sticker mentioned, hence why they are not recognised as a proper service by the manufacturer.
One bonus of the more thorough motorsport process is that if you have a mechanical AFFF extinguisher which is going to be refilled anyway you can empty it yourself before returning it to the service agent and save both weight and any restrictions your carrier may place on transporting pressurised bottles.
N.B. If it is an electrically activated unit you are probably best returning it full as the firing head ia an expensive part and is not replaced as part of a standard service.