How to Refill a Fire Extinguisher (Water Only)

This video will teach you how to refill a 2.5 Gallon Class A water can. This process will not work for any other type of fire extinguisher.
Minimum adjustable wrench size 2"
Link for appropriate size below
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Links to different types of fire extinguishers listed below!
-Class A Extinguisher (Water)
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-Class A,B,C Extinguisher (Dry Chem.)
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-Class K Extinguisher (Wet Chem.)
(Large) amzn.to/40pDbZH
(Small) amzn.to/3nwvaUb
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[@shalenaross5779]

Oh I'm excited. I found one of these in my grandpa's old garage and I'm glad to know it can be reused over and over. Its held pressure for over 15 years and was able to spray water!

[@tonyprovo7816]

Nicely done. I have one of these and need to remember to bring them indoors in the winter to keep from freezing and to only use them on paper and wood fires. I saw on a forum to add dish soap to the water to create foam when used to get more value out of the water volume.

[@OldSoulMillennial]

I've never heard of adding dish soap. Interesting, I'll have to give that a go!

[@Fredengle]

My question to you would you be concerned about filling and old unit that was not hydro tested?

[@Hellogelloeee]

You can add ColdFire anti freeze liquid to prevent freezing. Dish soap is very good to add as well.

[@Fredengle]

@@Hellogelloeee I was not sure if you saw my question it was would you be concerned about refilling an old one that was out of hydro date I mean do you think it's a hazard if the unit is in good physical condition?

[@Hellogelloeee]

@@Fredengle If the unit has not been hrydrostaticly tested in awhile it is not a good idea to refill it. If the extinguisher is completely in good condition it should be fine but it's always good to make sure it's hydro tested.

[@JPizzle2Smooth]

To release the PSI in a quicker manner flip the bottle upside down, (I would take the hose off) get control of the end of the hose and apply pressure on the operating lever.

[@ScottWestphal]

That collar is in place as an air gap and does not need to be removed. Fill the can with gentle water pressure until the water starts flowing out the top of the extinguisher, that will leave you an air gap from the bottom of the collar to the top of the can, in return giving you a perfect fill every time.

[@edge0315]

The nut on mine has a small thru hole on one side that leaks air. is that supposed to be there?

[@tomlambert1833]

I add couple of table spoons of dish soap and baking soda to the unit after is at the water height you want. If you turn the unit upside down it just discharges the air..

[@KosukiFire]

Ever thought of a CAFS conversion?

[@stinkyelk986]

Mine doesn't have a Schrader valve installed. How do I recharge that?

[@supersoggycheese]

This is very helpful! So I can do this at home and it's safe and "official?"

[@OldSoulMillennial]

Well Technically.... Water based fire extinguishers should be hydro tested every 5 years. There is normally a date stamped on the container or a plastic collar is placed around the handle which denotes the last hydro test date. Additionally, fire code generally requires fire extinguishers to be inspected by a certified company once a year. Does this apply for private homes? Ehh, gray area. So to answer your question: 1) Safe? As long as the hydro test date is within the last 5 years AND you do not over-pressurize the container, it should be safe. 2) Official? Technically the extinguisher should be inspected by a certified company.

[@832738]

So when you say (water only) does that mean I shouldn’t use paint instead?

[@OldSoulMillennial]

You push a lot of doors that say 'pull,' don't you?

[@832738]

@@OldSoulMillennial🤓☝️

[@macshaffner6273]

all im saying is you could cause a lot of mayhem if you filled it with lube or nacho cheese

[@johna7184]

Great video thanks, What do I search for when looking for one of these fire extinguisher on eBay or Marketplace?

[@OldSoulMillennial]

Look for one with an up to date hydro test. Might be best to call a local fire extinguisher company and ask to buy a used one.

[@johna7184]

@@OldSoulMillennial Okay thanks, I was thinking this type of fire extinguisher was an antique. Sounds like they still make them like that.

[@jakedawson2583]

Great video , if i could just ask what size compresser you use to pressureize this ? I have a family member who loves and owns a few extinguishers , we bought him a compresser but its 8 bar rated , and i think the pressure in the green section of the guage is 13.5 bar , so when we try to fill with air it only pressurises so far , and then it stops , im unsure though if its rhe attatchement or the compressor thats not up to the job , Thanks

[@OldSoulMillennial]

Compressor tank size shouldn't matter. What matters is that the compressor can reach/exceed the proper extinguisher pressure. The extinguishers gauge should have a pressure rating. Mine is rated to be fully charged at 100 PSI (6.89476 Bar). If your compressor pressure exceeds the extinguisher pressure gauge rating and the arrow isn't in the green, then it's possible you have a faulty gauge on the extinguisher.

[@Fredengle]

HI ALL DON'T KNOW ABOUT BAR RATINGS BUT A WATER EXTINGUISHER IN THE US IS FILLED TO 100 PSI also called 690kpa !

[@Fredengle]

I am not totally sure on that one I have filled these using an air tank I find that you need about 110 PSI to fill to 100 Psi!!

[@stanfordpittman1654]

It is what it is? Of course it is what it is. Was it supposed to be anything different than what it is? That saying really makes no sense you know....but I guess it is what it is. Great video dude.

[@METALMAN4Wii]

I've been filling mine with Gasoline?

[@jjman533]

Add some oil for a flame thrower.

[@832738]

I was gonna use it for paint

[@el.de.la.trokaamarilla8017]

How can I fix the gauge , I bought a used one and the meter does not change when I fill it ?

[@Fredengle]

It would seem you have a bad Guage the concern is usually you have to replace the whole valve assembly not just the gauge the party might be about 80.00 if you could un screw the Guage should be able to screw a new one

[@Fredengle]

my concerend is if this unit has not been hydrotested I dont know that its safe to fill I have bought pre owned units before but I was very careful that the ones I filled were sold by refill technician and only bought ones that had said they had been hydrotested! the ones that were not hydrotested I did not refill!

[@Fredengle]

I am not sure you know this but the pressure in these unit can be high enough to be deadly if a mistake is made are you sure you want to fill one you do not seem to have done enough research on what may or may not be dangerous?

[@Fredengle]

my actuall answer is I would stop buying old fire extingusihers in poor condition its true I bought used fire extinguisher on ebay but the people who sold it to me said they were refill technician a safety test had been performed so in theory it shoud be equivalant in safety to a new unit if your unit is not hydro test you might be risking filling something that could be a reject cylinder which would not be great if your unlucky it could be dangerous these things do have enough pressure to kill you if a mistake is made !

[@Jake-resells]

Hiya mate. I have refilled 2 fire extinguishers. Both water. When I refill to an appropriate level of water I screw the top back on as tight as human hands possibly and when I recharge them the air goes inside the bottle but the pressure gauge doesn’t go up. I am using a hand pump tho. But I can’t figure out why the gauge isn’t moving. Any idea why?

[@OldSoulMillennial]

I doubt the hand pump will pressurize the extinguisher to the required pressure. I would try compressed air. If that doesn't work, you may have a faulty gauge. Try tapping on the gauge as you fill.

[@Jake-resells]

Will do thanks@@OldSoulMillennial

[@Fredengle]

I actually don't think the hand pump is the issue I had a bike pump that can generate about 120 psi I was able to fill a 5 gallon tank with it is seem but it seemed to take about half an hour to do though why would I font that I doubt my condo would be to happy if I have a air compressor here here as I would bet they think it makes to much noise! I do have an air tank here that has been filled up mostly by hand and topped of with an air inflator now though I don't use to much pressure and try my best to top it off using a bike pump!

[@Fredengle]

Here are question for you though have you checked the extinguisher s tire valve if the core is not properly screw in it might not pressurize properly!

[@joesbarbecue1]

I went to Amazon to purchase a few of these, there were tons of 5 star reviews. The rest were a bunch of one star reviews, I had to wonder what could possibly be the problem with these things? I had to laugh my ass off as I read the biggest complaints were from morons who were upset because these were sent empty and not charged!🤣

[@Fredengle]

these water cans are horrifcally expensive maybe you can tell me if you have any ideas on this I think I would rather take purple k or baking soda type and try in on a class a fire and take the risk that maybe it will flare up and I can put soapy water on anything that flares than use abc because abc is horrble to clean up any ideas ?

[@OldSoulMillennial]

Not to be rude, but I'm having a little difficulty understanding your question. If possible, could you use some punctuation and clearly describe your question.

[@Fredengle]

I was saying as you know abc is a mess to clean up my theory was I think I would prefer to risk using baking soda or purple k and deal with flare ups on a class a fire (Rather than running the risk of abc being a mess any thoughts ?) and I was trying to say my idea if it did flare up my idea would be to pour soapy water on it. You've probably herd at least one person say if you add dawn to water it can be used as the poor mans foam ? any ideas ? thoughts please thank you

[@OldSoulMillennial]

@@Fredengle If you are searching for a cheap class A water can like the one I have in my video, look up some local fire extinguisher companies by you. Companies that test/ Inspect extinguishers. Tell them you are low on funds and looking for a second hand water can. That's how I got mine for free. (I was a volunteer FF at the time). In my 10 years as a FF, I used foam on a hand line only once. Foam has its place, but is not needed for class A fires usually. Put water on the fire, soak the surrounding area, assess and respond. Purple K is generally used for class B and Class C Fires. The type of extinguisher you should get heavily depends on what class of fire you are expecting.

[@Fredengle]

I am saw a video it stated if you try to use baking soda on a class a fire it will probably cause flare ups but I would imagine the same with pk but considering how messy abc is I was trying to say would you rather not just use the pk and try to deal with the flare ups as I think if you use abc in your home its going to be horrible to clean up since it is a corrosive acid that stick to hot surfaces ? I think what I am trying to say is I think I would rather try my bc pk unit and put out any flare ups with soapy water ( dawn as soap) than run the risk of using an abc inside thoughts ?

[@blackmaxima]

@@Fredenglepurple k is also a dry chemical and will spread and make a mess just as much as ABC or BC powder.

[@Froe69]

Thanks, I’m going to put diesel in mine

[@dagabriel9416]

Why no Class A Foaming agent?

[@matthewshafer9077]

Sometimes you just need to spray water at something.

[@Fredengle]

To answer your question why no class a foam one answer to that could be class a foam could be corrosive and would not be good in an extinguisher for long g term storage the other problem is I don't think any one will be introverted in performing the safety tests the extinguisher needs to stay In service if the know you modified it !

[@Tom-em3dv]

Its basically a high pressure water gun extra safe* for battles lol

[@middletnpyro]

Your only supposed to tighten the nut hand tight! Never use a wrench!