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Old 05-28-2023, 11:07 AM   #1
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E350 Ambulance: Adding solenoid to charge house batteries

Greetings all.
My wife and I picked up this 2002 E350 Ambulance from a hospital I worked at last year. It has 168,000 miles and they added a 4WD package.
We used it as a tow vehicle for our Airstream and now I'm in the process of converting it into a camper.
I've poured thru the threads related to this conversion but still have a few "Leader specific" wiring questions.

Here is a picture of the Power Distribution mess under the front seat. (photo from Boltline) along with the schematic that Leader sent me.

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Here are my aspirations:
1. I'd like to remove the timer (C.)

2. I want the dual alternators to charge both banks of batteries (2 starter and 2 house). From what I understand in the schematic, the starter batteries are charged via the alternators and the house batteries are connected to the Emergency Solenoid and don't receive a supply from the alternators unless its activated. This solenoid is connected to a switch which lets you start the van with the house batteries if the starter batteries are dead.
Is it as easy as splicing into the alternator output and installing a battery isolator for the house batteries?
It looks like there's a splice under the passenger seat I could use (highlighted).


3. There is a Vanner inverter under the rear cabinets which I'm still learning about. Am I right in thinking that when connected to shore power its this inverter that is charging the house batteries as well as supplying 110 to the interior outlets?



Thanks for any help with this.

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Old 05-28-2023, 03:47 PM   #2
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That's the way many inverters work but not all. Pretty simple to test your different battery connections (as in wiring terminals at battery locations with batteries UN-hooked) and van in different scenarios. First, get a baseline of each battery and power at connection unplugged with van off. Second, start van and check, third check voltage with shore power plugged in and inverter OFF, then with shore power plugged in and inverter on. This, in theory, should answer some questions.

Sorry to remind you of this, you likely already know, but ambos can be a wiring nightmare. Personally I'd yank everything out I could live without and start from scratch.
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Old 05-28-2023, 05:58 PM   #3
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Thanks 86Scotty. Good idea, I'll mock up those scenarios and see where the juice flows.

When I first got into the electrical is was to add trailer wiring to rear and to tie into all the plugs left tucked up under the dash. Nightmare fuel.

I will give it up to Leader though, every single wire is colored and printed with its intended use.. and that was a huge help.
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Old 05-29-2023, 06:50 AM   #4
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That's excellent news. Sure would be nice on OEM vans.

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Old 07-27-2023, 08:58 AM   #5
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@Ambolorian
I am surprised you got a schematic out of Leader. I have tried and have always been shut down. I have the same model ambo - a 2000 - and have been scouring the web for schematics but have found none.
Did they give you a full set?
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Old 08-04-2023, 10:08 AM   #6
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Heiferman,
PM me your email and I'll forward you what they sent me.
I'm an ER nurse so I used my work email to contact Leader and they sent me a bunch of schematics. I guess they assumed it was for the hospital
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Old 08-05-2023, 07:25 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ambolorian View Post
Heiferman,
PM me your email and I'll forward you what they sent me.
I'm an ER nurse so I used my work email to contact Leader and they sent me a bunch of schematics. I guess they assumed it was for the hospital
PM sent! Thanks for the offer!
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