Thought I'd bring this thread back to life.
I have four extinguishers in the shop now. All are 10 lb units, all dry chemical, all have metal valves (don't buy plastic valve extinguishers if you intend to have them serviced, no one will service the plastic valves).
One of mine, a short/fat 10 lb Badger lost all of its pressure, so I figured I'd take it and have it serviced. Two of the four were bought at the flea market at different times for $10 each, and had pressure and the powder moved inside when you shook them, so I figured they were good. It was one of these that lost pressure. The service sticker that was on it showed it was 10 years from the last hydro test and inspection, so the shop did another hydro test, installed new seals in the valve and a new hose (old one had a 1991 mfg date printed on it) as the old one was very stiff. Total cost was $45. A new comparable extinguisher (Badger is out of business, bought up by Amerex) was $71 at discount, from the FX service shop, almost $90 retail.
I'll cycle the other flea market FX (Amerex 10 lb) thru the shop next year, and after that the other Badger (tall skinny 10 lb), which was properly opened and inspected in '05. I have one new First Alert 10 lb purchased from MSC's annual warehouse sale, it will be serviced last.
Don't forget your smoke alarm batteries. Did both of mine yesterday, along with the batteries in the Schlage electronic door locks of the shop and house, and the alarm clock back up battery. All 9v.
Charles
