AmboLander
- Thread starter FDM2012
- Start date
Be interested to hear Erics' take. I've got the Big Buddy and thought about recessing it a bit in one of the shallow compartments back by the rear doors. But this faces it straight across the back of the module. This model has a built in fan to help move the air but again, it would just be blowing across the back. I thought about plumbing in a bulk gas line but the limitations of the above had me hesitant so so far I'm running off the 1 pounders, and I just set it where I want it to get what I figure is the best circulation.
I might make a quick mount for it in that shallow compartment, just so it has a storage spot, it I don't think I'm going to hard mount it like I had originally planned.
OR! Here's a sudden thought. Maybe put a swing arm mount lie for a monitor in that compartment and attach Buddy to that. Swing away to store, swing out and point wherever for use. That's a great idea, thanks guys! Geniuses.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
There are tons of options for 'TV' mounts... Online sellers have them for a fraction of the cost of retailers.
patoz
Expedition Leader
OR! Here's a sudden thought. Maybe put a swing arm mount lie for a monitor in that compartment and attach Buddy to that. Swing away to store, swing out and point wherever for use. That's a great idea, thanks guys! Geniuses.
Actually, that is a good idea Tom! I'll bet you surprise yourself sometimes, don't you?
FDM2012
Adventurer
As of right now, I really like the option of being able to move it around. I am planning on storing it just behind
the drivers seat, and then running it from that general area. I'm going to also put a 12v socket in that area for
plugging it in, so I don't have to mess with batteries.
I also like the idea of a swinging or sliding mount kind of doo-hickey. I will ponder that, as well. MANY other fish to fry
before that, though.
the drivers seat, and then running it from that general area. I'm going to also put a 12v socket in that area for
plugging it in, so I don't have to mess with batteries.
I also like the idea of a swinging or sliding mount kind of doo-hickey. I will ponder that, as well. MANY other fish to fry
before that, though.
Flat_Ernie
Observer
How do those Big Buddy heaters do in the big box? I've got a much smaller box on my ex-military rig and was hoping the slightly smaller portable Buddy would do.
I really like the idea of a swing-away mount too!
I really like the idea of a swing-away mount too!
The big buddy heats the module on my ambo to roasting in about 10 minutes. Now I've not tried this in arctic temps but my guess is I'd still be roasting, but it would dump temp faster once shut off.
One thing I've noticed is it doesn't like to run very well if I start it up in low and leave it there. It works best if I crank it over to medium till all the ceramics get good and hot, and then low runs fine if I switch it back.
One thing I've noticed is it doesn't like to run very well if I start it up in low and leave it there. It works best if I crank it over to medium till all the ceramics get good and hot, and then low runs fine if I switch it back.
FDM2012
Adventurer
It turns out that the AmboLander also serves well as an awesome picketing machine.
"In the cool cool cool of the morning...."
I got up at 230AM and went out picketing with my neighbor (who is also a fellow Veteran). We put out around 100 Trump/Pence signs
ALL around our area, and at the voting precincts that were assigned to us. REPRESENT!!
"In the cool cool cool of the morning...."
I got up at 230AM and went out picketing with my neighbor (who is also a fellow Veteran). We put out around 100 Trump/Pence signs
ALL around our area, and at the voting precincts that were assigned to us. REPRESENT!!
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patoz
Expedition Leader
I don't own one yet, but I don't see this as a real problem. If I'm outside in the cold and comming in for the evening or whatever, more than likely I want to get the temperature up as fast as possible, so I would probably start it on medium, if not on high.
FDM2012
Adventurer
Ambo time has been a little sparse as of late, but over the last week, or so, I have most of my wiring done, for now.....
Fuse blocks and relays for the 12 volt sockets and a dedicated auxiliary for the rear fridge/freezer. Other than the USB's,
ALL sockets are on dedicated circuits.
The EXT FAN switch will power a couple of vent fans for my battery box, and the water heater box.
While doing my runs, I actually thought ahead and ran some extra's for future use. And yes, I ran some through the box,
and some underneath in wire protectors. It took some time, but I feel pretty good about it all.
Got all of the flasher/siren boxes out. For now, I am only using two circuits on the board for my water pump and spotlight.
Well, and the rear A/C runs through it.
The chassis and box were all tied to the original 3 battery setup, so once I got the box on only the solar battery bank, I
had to run power from the chassis batteries up to this compartment and install 3 relays for the A/C, so that the blower
motor didn't drain the solar battery bank. The relays are energized by the original motor feeds coming off the board. It
was quite simple...
I put dedicated sockets behind the seat to run the fan in the Mr. Heater, and for the front fridge/freezer.
Socket and USB by the stove, Auxiliary for the rear fridge, and socket and 110v above the stove.
More dedicated sockets (including USB) to my nightstand in the rear. I wanted some that would be accessible
when the rear doors are open. And yes, I am putting in a dimmer switch for the overhead lights. I don't need
full lighting to cook and eat a Hot Pocket........
I will soon be replacing the domes with LED's of some sort. Those halogens eat those Electrons like PacMan!
In the future, I see myself omitting the main circuit board. I won't know for sure how big it is until my
ammeter/voltmeter/shunt arrives, but I have a significant parasitic drain. Of which I guess is quite
common. Not sure it is worth the hours to try and find it, when I can just by pass the board. Only hang up
is the A/C. But I can/will figure that out, as well............
Anyways, It's coming along!
Next up is rear seat mounts, front brakes, passenger side rear axle seal (is leaking), and grey water tank.
Fuse blocks and relays for the 12 volt sockets and a dedicated auxiliary for the rear fridge/freezer. Other than the USB's,
ALL sockets are on dedicated circuits.
The EXT FAN switch will power a couple of vent fans for my battery box, and the water heater box.
While doing my runs, I actually thought ahead and ran some extra's for future use. And yes, I ran some through the box,
and some underneath in wire protectors. It took some time, but I feel pretty good about it all.
Got all of the flasher/siren boxes out. For now, I am only using two circuits on the board for my water pump and spotlight.
Well, and the rear A/C runs through it.
The chassis and box were all tied to the original 3 battery setup, so once I got the box on only the solar battery bank, I
had to run power from the chassis batteries up to this compartment and install 3 relays for the A/C, so that the blower
motor didn't drain the solar battery bank. The relays are energized by the original motor feeds coming off the board. It
was quite simple...
I put dedicated sockets behind the seat to run the fan in the Mr. Heater, and for the front fridge/freezer.
Socket and USB by the stove, Auxiliary for the rear fridge, and socket and 110v above the stove.
More dedicated sockets (including USB) to my nightstand in the rear. I wanted some that would be accessible
when the rear doors are open. And yes, I am putting in a dimmer switch for the overhead lights. I don't need
full lighting to cook and eat a Hot Pocket........
I will soon be replacing the domes with LED's of some sort. Those halogens eat those Electrons like PacMan!
In the future, I see myself omitting the main circuit board. I won't know for sure how big it is until my
ammeter/voltmeter/shunt arrives, but I have a significant parasitic drain. Of which I guess is quite
common. Not sure it is worth the hours to try and find it, when I can just by pass the board. Only hang up
is the A/C. But I can/will figure that out, as well............
Anyways, It's coming along!
Next up is rear seat mounts, front brakes, passenger side rear axle seal (is leaking), and grey water tank.
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patoz
Expedition Leader
Man, that's a lot of very tedious and time consuming work right here! I'm thinking I'm going to have to remove some of mine also, to make room for the new panel I want to add.
Do you know when you will be heading this way yet? I want to make sure I get you that list in plenty of time, so hopefully it won't be too much of an inconvenience.
Do you know when you will be heading this way yet? I want to make sure I get you that list in plenty of time, so hopefully it won't be too much of an inconvenience.
Baloo
"The Bear Necessities"
I put my propane tank in the same locker! I had to install a lower vent incase a propane leak came about.
I tried to sort through all the original wiring on my Ambo and gave up. Ended up completely rewiring the entire module.
I love the way your build is turning out, keep it up!
I tried to sort through all the original wiring on my Ambo and gave up. Ended up completely rewiring the entire module.
I love the way your build is turning out, keep it up!
rlrenz
Explorer
The standard ambulance ceiling light was most often made by Weldon, and they all seem to use a 50 watt halogen bulb. I was lucky enough to find some TecNiq ambulance ceiling lights that were left over from an ambulance merger, so I replaced all 7 of my halogen ceiling lights with LED lights that only pull 1.2 amps each. I can handle 8.4 total amps a lot easier than 350 watts.
FDM2012
Adventurer
Thx Fellers,
It will always be a work in progress, but it feels good to be passing some milestones lately. ie: water system,
solar power tied into the box, 12v outlets, etc... And after sitting for 2 weeks, it fired right up and is purring
like a kitten. Although, I need to do that rear axle seal sooner than later....
@Pat. I am cautiously planning on leaving around the 15th, give a day or two... The sooner the better for your Christmas List!
@Baloo I just ordered some of those LED's to modify my domes. THX! I SUB's your thread, and dig the vision in your build.
Question: How did you get the Red? I would love that. It would remind me of my NAVY days.......or the nightshifts, rather.
Now, for my morning report:
Have I mentioned that I like going to LKQ and scoring great deals? After waiting for 6 weeks for my local yard to get
another Aerostar incoming, I got an email alert yesterday saying that they had one. FINALLY. It worked out perfectly,
so that I got the 40% holiday discount on my bounty.
Here are a couple of pics of my seat mount victims..... Nothing my sawsall and some demo blades couldn't handle!
I cut out the carpet for the trim pieces, that I will put into my future floor material to keep somewhat of a clean look-ish.
I also nabbed a couple of cup holders that I will use to fab my overhead switch panel for up in the cab. Figured I will wreck one,
hence, two of them.
And, they had a 1980's van RV that I pulled the fold down shelf brackets from. All together, I got out of there
for $52. Not too bad, I reckon. Albeit, the work has just begun on the mounts. Each one has over 50 spot welds
holding them into those frame pieces..... Oh, The Humanity!!!
The rv also had that recessed fire extinguisher holder in it.
It will always be a work in progress, but it feels good to be passing some milestones lately. ie: water system,
solar power tied into the box, 12v outlets, etc... And after sitting for 2 weeks, it fired right up and is purring
like a kitten. Although, I need to do that rear axle seal sooner than later....
@Pat. I am cautiously planning on leaving around the 15th, give a day or two... The sooner the better for your Christmas List!
@Baloo I just ordered some of those LED's to modify my domes. THX! I SUB's your thread, and dig the vision in your build.
Question: How did you get the Red? I would love that. It would remind me of my NAVY days.......or the nightshifts, rather.
Now, for my morning report:
Have I mentioned that I like going to LKQ and scoring great deals? After waiting for 6 weeks for my local yard to get
another Aerostar incoming, I got an email alert yesterday saying that they had one. FINALLY. It worked out perfectly,
so that I got the 40% holiday discount on my bounty.
Here are a couple of pics of my seat mount victims..... Nothing my sawsall and some demo blades couldn't handle!
I cut out the carpet for the trim pieces, that I will put into my future floor material to keep somewhat of a clean look-ish.
I also nabbed a couple of cup holders that I will use to fab my overhead switch panel for up in the cab. Figured I will wreck one,
hence, two of them.
And, they had a 1980's van RV that I pulled the fold down shelf brackets from. All together, I got out of there
for $52. Not too bad, I reckon. Albeit, the work has just begun on the mounts. Each one has over 50 spot welds
holding them into those frame pieces..... Oh, The Humanity!!!
The rv also had that recessed fire extinguisher holder in it.
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