Hello. This is my first post on this site. I just bought a 1996 E-450 Wheeled Coach ambulance. I know very little about these things, but I'm looking forward to learning. I plan to go very slowly and to take a lot of pictures while I decide how I'm going to convert it. My first priority is fixing some of the little things and reconfiguring the electrical system to work better as an rv. Then I'll start making it comfortable and 'homey'.
The rig was formerly used as training vehicle. There are cameras installed in the ceiling with cat6 cable going back the electrical panel. Those will be removed. There is no inverter, but there is a battery charger. I'm not sure if I even need one anyway.
Right now, the cut off switch on the drivers seat kills the electric system entirely, even the ignition and the shore power. I'd like to reconfigure so the truck still works but the switch cuts off the box. Also, I understand I need to change the battery isolator to someting that doesn't use power, but I'm not even sure where it is or if I have one.
None of the compartment lights are working, nor is the 'compartment door ajar' light. I'd like to figure out how to fix those, but they seem super complex.
Two of the compartments are locked and they keys provided fit, but won't turn enough to unlock them. There must be a way to get those open so I can fix/change the locks?
I will start a build thread soon, but this is going to be a 'light' conversion, trying to keep it cheap.
Any advice?
Welcome to a sometimes challenging hobby - I call mine a hobby since it's made up of many smaller projects, and the list keeps evolving---
As has been said before, by myself and others, don't rush into things, other than washing the windows. Take many photos, and think very carefully before you reach for the wire clippers. Some things are obvious -- I removed the remnants of a very fancy Motorola radio package from mine as well as the oxygen and suction gear (not thrown away - just removed).
Since you have a Wheeled Coach, you may be able to get a schematic drawing from Wheeled Coach (always worth a try). It shouldn't take a lot to reconnect the vehicle power so the vehicle can be operated without the module (the ambulance portion) being turned on as well. Pat Ozment has a Wheeled Coach, and he may be able to offer further advice.
Check out Blue Sea (
www.bluesea.com) for battery isolators. They use a relay based design instead of a diode, and the end result works a lot better.
Your door locks are almost certainly made by the Fort Lock company. Replacement cylinders can be ordered to match your existing key number from Select Tech (
www.fixmyambulance.com). Stuck cylinders are very common - give them a shot of Break Free or other penetrating oil, then try to turn your key, right then left. You have to grind through all the oxidized aluminum and zinc - the the lock should cooperate. You may be able to dismantle the lock when it's open and clean it up with Scotchbrite or a fine file, but some may have to be replaced. If all else fails, you can drill out the jammed cylinder, open the compartment, then buy a new lock assembly.
Your compartment lights and door-open may have a blown fuse, but the simple door-mounted door open switches may be oxidized, and just need cleaning or replacement. Try pulling slightly on the switch plunger and twisting to see if you can break through any oxidation, or unscrewing one of the switches to seeing what they look like.
