JBugs Video Series

1971 VW Super Beetle - BlazeCut System Installation:

Body General Product

Video Overview:

Whether you’ve got a body off restoration, a project in the works, or just a nice daily driver you want to make sure your Vintage VW is protected as much as possible. We’re the same way so we’re installing an onboard fire suppression system. Sure, it may sound fancy and complicated but really, the folks at BlazeCut came up with a brilliant, simple to install system that really should be in every engine compartment. Follow along as we show how simple protecting your VW can be.

Products in this Video:


Video Tips:

Tools used in this video:
1/4” Nut Driver
1/4” Drive 8mm Socket
Flush-cut pliers
Small Flat Blade Screwdriver

Other Parts Used:
Insulated Loop Clamps

Video Transcript:

00:00
Hi! I'm Sam with JBugs.com and we're going to install a fire suppression system in our Super Beetle.
00:10
We never want to imagine having to deal with an engine fire in our Super Beetle but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
00:17
If we were to have a fire, having an onboard fire suppression system can be the difference of having to repair or replace a few pieces
00:22
as opposed to repairing or replacing an entire car.
00:27
We're installing a Blaze Cut T-200E fire suppression system.
00:31
It's a simple plastic tube that is capped off at both ends, one of which has a gauge for monitoring the pressure in the tube.
00:39
In the event of a fire, the plastic tube will melt at approximately 248 degrees and release the pressurized extinguishing agent to cool the air and eliminate the oxygen in the engine compartment.
00:51
The BlazeCut tube is filled with HFC-227-EA, or Heptafluoropropane, a clean gas that wont leave a residue or corrode the paint, engine, or any of the accessories.
01:02
It's a modern environmentally safe version of Halon, and is safe on electronic devices such as our coil and electronic distributor.
01:10
We're going to attach the BlazeCut to our decklid and loop it around the edge.
01:14
Then, attach either end to the mounting studs at the license plate light.
01:19
We unthread the outer two nuts, then mock up the tube, and we'll use an insulated loop clamp to hold either end at the license plate.
01:30
With the route and the mounting method for either end decided, we'll bring the two ends together so we can find the middle of the tube.
01:38
Since we have an original decklid with drain slots, we can zip tie the middle of the tube to help hold it in place while we secure the ends.
01:47
BlazeCut recommends zip ties, which they include, or insulated loop clamps to hold the tube in place as metal straps and clamps can create hot spots that might set the tube off inadvertently.
01:59
With the center secure, the ends of the tubes are secured to the mount for the license light with insulated loop clamps.
02:06
The nuts we removed earlier are reinstalled loosely.
02:10
An insulated 7/8ths inch loop clamp is ideal for holding the ends of the tube and with them in place, we bend over the tabs on our decklid to clean up the installation.
02:21
We close the lid and looking through the vents, we can see the BlazeCut is clear of the engine and in a great position to extinguish any fires in the engine compartment.
02:31
We open the decklid so we can tighten down the license plate nuts, cut our zip tie down, and install a warning sticker.
02:40
Finally, we'll note with our mounting set up, we can easily see the temperature gauge which at room temperature likely reads at the bottom of the green area or close too it.
02:50
As long as the needle sits in the green, or you can see the liquid and a bubble in the tube, the BlazeCut system is ready to operate 24 hours a day for up to 10 years.
03:01
Thanks for watching!
03:02
Let us know if you have any questions.
03:04
If you don't mind, click that like button and if you haven't already, subscribe as well.
03:09
If you want the peace of mind of an on board fire suppression system or any other parts for your vintage Volkswagen,
03:14
fire up your browser and head over to JBugs.com