While I'm waiting for my marine refrigerator to show up, I spent today fiddling with the ambulance. I installed the new gas springs for the cabinets (about 30 seconds for each one), I found out why the module hot water heat didn't come on (I'd turned the thermostat too far, probably to a 150F set point, and it defaulted to OFF), and I found out that one oddball drawer's slides were totally worn out. The drawer has an 8" slide, but it's only 3/8" thick, which means that was a special way back in time when it was built. I can get 10" slides that are 3/8" thick, but not 8" slides. I can get 8" slides that are 1/2" thick. After digging through every source I could figure out, and trying my always-reliable ambulance parts suppliers, I gave up and ordered a 1/2" thick slide. I'll dado a recess in the side of the drawer to handle the extra slide thickness. The good news is that I'll have a new slide that is probably heavier duty than what I had.
Getting the beast into the garage for the winter is also quickly getting more feasible - my S250 military shelter sold today, plus he also took the shelter air conditioner, 2 extra floor jacks and a parts washer - all of which took space. I also finally figured out a solution to storing the ambulance parts while I'm in the build-mode: store them in the ambulance! Even though there are some cabinets I'll be modifying, there are also plenty of cabinets that I'll be leaving exactly as they are. I started loading it today, using a marking pen to label the boxes as they went in. For those of you familiar with ambulance design, the parts are going into cabinet 5 (FYI: the cabinets are numbered from the driver's side, counter-clockwise, so cabinet 5 is the one closest to the passenger's front seat. One shelf is electrical, one is plumbing, etc.
I plan to make a pilgrimage next week to check out a local ambulance dealer who regularly adds 120 volt air conditioning to ambulances. I want to see what he recommends and what the costs for the components look like. The first option would be to install a combined system, where the same blower, ducting, condenser, and controls handle a 120 volt addition. I could also go with a separated system with a totally separate evaporator and condenser. The compressor for either system would be installed in the top of the oxygen cabinet next to the Vanner inverter, and a new front-of-module condenser would be added to just handle the 120 volt portion. I'm sticking with 134 refrigerant to stay consistent with the rest of the ambulance.
Once I know enough about add-on air conditioning's installation needs and power requirements, I can start installing the new 120 VAC panel and equipment.
I'm also going to see what they would charge me for a Corian / Avonite work area (action station). I'm debating between one of the solid surface materials or stainless steel for the countertop. I prefer solid surface unless prices get too extreme, but the kitchen counter top folks don't have a clue about ambulances. I'll see if the dealer can shoot me a price that I can live with.
