From Freightliner ambulance to RV - we hope!

[rossvtaylor]

Thanks, Patoz!

I got rid of that image.

Regarding the switch panel, I guess I sort of booby trapped you. I neglected to mention that there's a clearly marked "air dump" switch inside the rear door (on the side panel) and in the cab. I know how those work, as GEV showed me. So, not knowing that, your suggestion was a damned good guess. But, this isn't that. Do you have "guess B?"

 

[patoz]

Not at the moment, but let me work on it!

It's got to be something that has controlled access, hence the key switch. And something that is either relay activated or something that you would only want activated briefly, hence the momentary contact switches. And it's probably something in that area that you would need to see or touch, because why else would you go to all the trouble of mounting the controls in that door.

I'm thinking a lift or winch of some sort. But if you don't see any mounts of any kind, that sort of rules that out. Put a meter on the leads and see if you have power to any of them.

The mystery continues...

 

[rossvtaylor]

I'm thinking a lift or winch of some sort. But if you don't see any mounts of any kind, that sort of rules that out.

You're a genius. There IS a weird bracket on the rear, above the bumper. It gets in the way of the flip-up rear step and I was mildly curious as to its purpose, but I've got other things to play with!



I didn't think much of it, until your comment about mounts. So, I just did some digging back there. The flip-up rear step has hinges which are clearly newer than the rest of the bumper hardware. Lifting that up revealed some holes in the underlying frame rails. And, underneath the back end, there are capped wires.

To me, that all spells "wheelchair lift control switches." I'll go with that! Given the nature of this rig, which was apparently set up for longer range transport of several kids at a time, it makes sense that it might be equipped with a lift.

 

[patoz]

It could be for wheelchairs, but since the word 'Neonatal' refers to newborn children, I'm thinking more along these lines...

Keep looking, who knows you might find a winch or hydraulic lift cylinder under there.

 

[rossvtaylor]

Keep looking, who knows you might find a winch or hydraulic lift cylinder under there.

Haha, I wish! We will have a winch up front, but I didn't find a freebie under the back... It looks like they removed whatever was there and then tossed a step on top.

Those are impressive photos. That's a lot of equipment and, I'm sure, explains the beastly generator. I was thinking wheelchair, but these pics are more likely. Clearly the two seats on the squad bench were set up for older kids, with the foot rests and the Kool Aid under the cup holders. But I agree the lift was most likely similar to those pics. Heck, the pics even show the control panel on the right door, above the handle. Mystery solved, sir.

 

[patoz]

Yeah, I should have thought of that sooner, but it's late and I'm getting slow in my old age! OK, I'm not that old, I just feel that way sometimes!

 

[rossvtaylor]

Our ambulance has, like most I assume, holders for a consistently-sized bin or bucket. I've searched the Googles (as many as I could find) but can't find a specific bin for these. Does anyone have a link or name or something for the bins that go in these? If not, it's an easy matter to remove the hoops and do something different. But, if there's the one true bin that fits in these I'd like to see them.

 

[emtmark]

If it's an old neo rig it's absolutely a former hydro or tommylift type lift. Those are called isolettes and weigh anywhere from 150-300 lbs. should be some threaded holes in the floor that you would use to ratchet strap those bad boys down. Usually pretty big because you would roll with the Emt crew a RN reap therapist and a MD.


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[rossvtaylor]

If it's an old neo rig it's absolutely a former hydro or tommylift type lift. Those are called isolettes and weigh anywhere from 150-300 lbs. should be some threaded holes in the floor that you would use to ratchet strap those bad boys down. Usually pretty big because you would roll with the Emt crew a RN reap therapist and a MD.

Sounds right, cause we've got those threaded anchors. Too bad we didn't get the lift too... would have made a nice motorcycle lift. But, we are really happy with this rig despite that! Thanks for the insight.

 

[emtmark]

Lifts aren't hard to source if you want one


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[patoz]

Lifts aren't hard to source if you want one


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Dang, I want one for my rig, only I'm going to call it an 'elevator'!

 

[emtmark]

Most of the expo folk have been sealing or outright removing the doors for weight gains. If your going the monster tire route you could use it to lift your tire up and down.? The lifts are heavy and power hungry as well. We also use them to lift our bariatric gurneys. But with so many calls and so few equipped rigs you often end up doing a manual lift with 4 or more people.


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[patoz]

...We also use them to lift our bariatric gurneys. But with so many calls and so few equipped rigs you often end up doing a manual lift with 4 or more people.

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I have a permanent reminder of those days, and that's why my lower back is shot! Lifts on Ambulances didn't exist back then, at least we didn't have any.

 

[rossvtaylor]

The lift might have been nice to have for parts, for a smaller motorcycle lift, but I'll not be shopping for one. Our rear bumper is going to go away, in favor of something shorter and higher, so we wouldn't really want a lift back there. But, it's fun to imagine the many uses! It's all part of the ride...

 

[rossvtaylor]

Most of the expo folk have been sealing or outright removing the doors for weight gains.

You mean the rear doors? That's interesting... We're planning to keep them, and fit a removable aluminum shower pan and curtain between the open doors. It doesn't seem like removing them would save much weight, but we're still learning.