Ambulance Camper/ Expedition Rig Conversion FAQ

[Bikersmurf]

Are you sure it's glass? Everything on their site shows aluminum box tubing on 16" centers with 1/8" aluminum skin. I've never seen anything about glass and don't see how it could meet the same crash standards. Could the seller be mistaken? Do you know which model it is?

It could be glass, I'm learning about these as I go along.

 

[Bikersmurf]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...is/1171489967?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

This one? I'm 99.9% certain that is no more fiberglass than it is an F350... Salesman likely doesn't know what he's looking at. I'd be more worried about the 6.0... Ontario stopped running Diesels because of their maintenance costs from what I've read.

 

[groverdisco]

1186974889 That's the kijiji add number. It not the one in Ontario, it's in Calgary. I know it's a 6L and all but fiberglass body?? I too am a little confused about that. Not sure how much fiberglass in involved I the body but would be light if it is flberglass skin. May look at it this weekend after I look at the 7.3.

 

[Bikersmurf]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...er/1157159490?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I'd be checking this one out before a 2006 for more money.

They use a powder coated aluminum body... that one looks like a younger brother to mine.


Spoke to Crestline Rep today... 3 lb 15 oz is what he remembers... he was sure of the number, but didn't have a reference manual for a 20 year old rig at his disposal. The A/C shop came up with 4 lbs, so I'm hoping it is in the right range. I guess I'll know in a few days if it is working right... looking forward to it after 2 years without A/C.

 

[groverdisco]

Links not working but would like to see????

 

[Bikersmurf]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...ck/1186506774?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

How about this one? In Ontario, 200,000 km, 2002, 7.3, $5500.

 

[groverdisco]

Too far away and looks like it's already been butchered in the back. Going to see the 7.3 tomorrow night. It's a type 3 so a little larger than yours which I think I need. Super excited to get a project underway. Thanks for the help so far!

 

[Bikersmurf]

The New Era are a type 3. Just they are 88" x 148"ish on a 138" Wheelbase. I know most type 3s are the width of the rear Duallies and don't have the wheels sticking out on either side of the box 4-5 inches. Not a big difference, but 8" of extra interior space can be big if your goal is to have a mobile house. The flip side is mine is about 8" narrower and fits anywhere you can go with an F150 (so long as there is 8'6" clearance). Some Ambulances are also on a longer wheelbase also.

 

[gtbensley]

I traced the two lines from the heat/cool unit back to the motor and there isn't, from what I can find, a valve to cut off the supply. I'll likely take it in to a shop to have them break lines and recharge the system.

Forgive me, as I'm a layman with only a basic understanding of aircon units. Can someone clarify what I'm looking at here? I'm guessing the top and bottom are coolant lines and the middle two are the aircon freon lines, correct? It's an ACC model 07-073, but this looks like it's the same thing: http://www.accclimatecontrol.com/products/42/22007-Series-Heat-Cool-Unit

My unit:

New factory unit (the same model):

The top picture is close to my rear air. The problem is after running my AC for a while I start to get dips of water on my head. Inspecting it showed that the pipes that have that black material on the sweat lots and start dripping water on the headliner. I do have some sort of junction box there too but it seems to be the same unit. The pan has a drain but these are outside the pan. Any ideas how to solve this? Do others have this problem.

 

[gtbensley]

How Much Refrigerant do these Ambos use for front and rear A/C?

I just recharged mine. Tag says 4.65 lbs.....I evacuated 3.85 and recharged with that amount.

 

[rlrenz]

You have a combined heating core / AC evaporator. There's a drain pan under the coil to route condensate through the floor. The dripping you're seeing is probably from a low refrigerant charge that's allowing some of the refrigerant to vaporize in the liquid line.

That "junction box" you're seeing may be the expansion valve for the air conditioning - if so, it will have both refrigerant lines running through it.

 

[Bikersmurf]

The top picture is close to my rear air. The problem is after running my AC for a while I start to get dips of water on my head. Inspecting it showed that the pipes that have that black material on the sweat lots and start dripping water on the headliner. I do have some sort of junction box there too but it seems to be the same unit. The pan has a drain but these are outside the pan. Any ideas how to solve this? Do others have this problem.

I've used pipe insulation in different locations... Not household but from HVAC stuff from a comercial supplier.

 

[Bikersmurf]

I just recharged mine. Tag says 4.65 lbs.....I evacuated 3.85 and recharged with that amount.

Mines a bit smaller. Spoke with Crestline and they said 3 lbs 15 oz. Likely very close to the 3.85.

 

[gtbensley]

You have a combined heating core / AC evaporator. There's a drain pan under the coil to route condensate through the floor. The dripping you're seeing is probably from a low refrigerant charge that's allowing some of the refrigerant to vaporize in the liquid line.

That "junction box" you're seeing may be the expansion valve for the air conditioning - if so, it will have both refrigerant lines running through it.

Yes it's got both lines so it must be the expansion valve. These are both outside of the drain pan so when they drip they go on the headliner. Guess I'll try to insulate them and put an absorbent pad under. Easy access so easy to change.

I could also close the rear valves for the box I guess. Normally just use the front AC anyways.

 

[gtbensley]

I've used pipe insulation in different locations... Not household but from HVAC stuff from a comercial supplier.

Commercial building or automotive specific?