Desperately seeking electrician to fix lights and diesel heater in van

Ambulance said:
I have a disabled daughter who can only travel on a stretcher, so we bought a second hand ambulance- a Renault Master 2011. This has meant we can take my daughter to hospital appointments without having to wait around for NHS or pay a small fortune to have a private ambulance.
My problem is I can't get any of the electrics to work in the back of the van so no lights and can't get diesel heater to work. I've found the leisure battery and have charged it but still no joy. I have also found the inverter but the whole panel of switches in the back seems dead. (Very cold daughter!)
We live in Ware, Hertfordshire, and I wanted to ask if there is anyone near us (can't leave daughter on her own for long) who could help fix this? I have found someone in Bedfordshire (too far away) but nothing nearer. I am 75, my knowledge of van electrics is almost zilch so think I will need some professional help. Any suggestions?
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May I suggest getting in touch with your local Ambulance Service provider within your local NHS Trust.
They will have a garage depot which will do all the maintenance on the Trusts Ambulance fleet.
Explaining your circumstances could well help and I am sure they would be able to advise, if not just to explain how stuff works, but what might be wrong.
A letter to the Trusts Chief Executive might also prove fruitful as to your plight.
Hope that is of some help.
EDIT: have now seen all the posts and see this has already been suggested.
Sorry to repeat, but still worth a try if getting nowhere yet.
 
Last edited:
As having driven the blue light version of these I can confirm what Rupert said about the Genesis system, both this and the Carnation system had problems. Everything from the cab backwards (excluding road lights) goes through that system. From what the OP said there is no lights or night heater, this implies that there is no power from it, or to the Genesis unit. Some have a mechanical and some have an electronic (master breaker) isolation switch. My first starting point would be to check the auxiliary battery box to see if there is actually a battery in there in the first place and take it from there. The Genesis is basically a multi functional, manual/electronic breaker switched fuse board which is powered by both aux battery and engine, it covers every conceivable light (nearside/offside), radio, torch, suction, 12v hella din, Defib ect that you could possibly think of.

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chaser said:
Would you seriously have one running all night, quite apart from the racket I would never trust one not to burst into flames.
Click to expand...
We have used an Eberspacher D2 Airtronic as constant 'central heating' for a good may years, here is how ours works...

I've had two or three the same heaters over the past ten years.
They have been D2 Airtronics supplied by either PF Jones or Bowers as kits with 801 modulators. I've inserted an extra wire inserted in loom to enable external thermostat as per Ebersapcher wiring diagram. I have always wired 801 controllers as per this diagram installing the optional wire shown as 'Optional * Pin 12' on that diagram and below is how they operate when done like this.

Normal operation.
  1. Press heat button and ensure the temperature setting is as desired, in our case normally 16 degrees.
  2. Heater does its diagnosis and starts up and runs up to full boost output then unless ambient temp is very low soon slows down to a high medium output.
  3. When the 801 is registering a room temperature of approximately two degrees above the setting it gradually shuts down eventually to a stop.
  4. When the room temperature drops below the 801 (thermostat) setting the heater restarts and runs up to a medium output.
  5. The heater then loops through items 3 & 4 continuously until switched off.
I have had the heater switched on and running like this for many days at a time either in our UK winters or when in cooler parts and times of summer holidays. I've never had sooting-up problems with mine. After the first fire up subsequent heating sequences are quite quiet outside the vehicle with the supplied exhaust silencer fitted, maybe they would be even quieter with the ingoing combustion air silencer fitted.

PS they are called 'Nigh Heaters' because HGV drivers use them all night.
 
I bow to your superior knowledge mate(y)
I don't know the first thing about them other than they come in these ambulances , havnt a clue what make they are other than they work and never had one go wrong. But they don't half make a racket.
rod_vw said:
We have used an Eberspacher D2 Airtronic as constant 'central heating' for a good may years, here is how ours works...

I've had two or three the same heaters over the past ten years.
They have been D2 Airtronics supplied by either PF Jones or Bowers as kits with 801 modulators. I've inserted an extra wire inserted in loom to enable external thermostat as per Ebersapcher wiring diagram. I have always wired 801 controllers as per this diagram installing the optional wire shown as 'Optional * Pin 12' on that diagram and below is how they operate when done like this.

Normal operation.
  1. Press heat button and ensure the temperature setting is as desired, in our case normally 16 degrees.
  2. Heater does its diagnosis and starts up and runs up to full boost output then unless ambient temp is very low soon slows down to a high medium output.
  3. When the 801 is registering a room temperature of approximately two degrees above the setting it gradually shuts down eventually to a stop.
  4. When the room temperature drops below the 801 (thermostat) setting the heater restarts and runs up to a medium output.
  5. The heater then loops through items 3 & 4 continuously until switched off.
I have had the heater switched on and running like this for many days at a time either in our UK winters or when in cooler parts and times of summer holidays. I've never had sooting-up problems with mine. After the first fire up subsequent heating sequences are quite quiet outside the vehicle with the supplied exhaust silencer fitted, maybe they would be even quieter with the ingoing combustion air silencer fitted.

PS they are called 'Nigh Heaters' because HGV drivers use them all night.
Click to expand...
 
chaser said:
I bow to your superior knowledge mate(y)
I don't know the first thing about them other than they come in these ambulances , haven't a clue what make they are other than they work and never had one go wrong. But they don't half make a racket.
Click to expand...
All depend on how they are installed, there is the 'bodge it and scarper brigade' and those who have to use the vehicle themselves and do their best to do it correctly.
Yes mine can be heard when running but it's not obtrusive and never has raised a complaint from a neighbour. I'm hoping that I can fit one in a similar manner under my new MAN TGE.
 
chaser said:
Ours sounds like a moon rocket taking off.
Click to expand...
One like that parked near us in Spain a couple of years ago you needed ear defenders luckily he only ran it for half hour early evening.

Why don't you fir a second silencer the new quieter ones are only a few quid.
 
I'm a paramedic ans there will be a isolator in the front cap somewhere that will isolate all the electrics in the rear

Some places are

Side of drivers seat (key light switch)

Random button somewhere around stairing wheel

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Lenny HB said:
One like that parked near us in Spain a couple of years ago you needed ear defenders luckily he only ran it for half hour early evening.

Why don't you fir a second silencer the new quieter ones are only a few quid.
Click to expand...
Silencer? :unsure: do you mean on the dangely pipe.
 
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RM_Marine said:
I'm a paramedic ans there will be a isolator in the front cap somewhere that will isolate all the electrics in the rear

Some places are

Side of drivers seat (key light switch)

Random button somewhere around stairing wheel
Click to expand...
Surely it's not just the switch, I just thought he's bound to know about that , ours is in the middle of the added switches on the dash with a light bulb on it. It's got three positions for some reason ,middle off , either other way on.
 
Lenny HB said:
Yes, basic silencer is a bit noisy add a second quiet one and it becomes very quiet. I think you are winding me up but in case you are not:-

Diesel Heater Silencer for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Diesel Heater Silencer. Shop with confidence.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
No wind up mate havnt seen no silencer just a convurluted pipe hanging down where it exhausts.
 
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Lenny HB said:
Yes, basic silencer is a bit noisy add a second quiet one and it becomes very quiet. I think you are winding me up but in case you are not:-

Diesel Heater Silencer for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Diesel Heater Silencer. Shop with confidence.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
Nothing like that on ours.

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If the op is still looking in this is the set of switches in the new van we have got. These are on the dash.the orange one switches everything off, havnt discovered what the next one does, the next one switches the reversing bleeper off. The next one works the fan in the rear , the end one is your rear lights, the round one is the diesel heater.
Hope that helps .
PXL_20240125_085858483.MP.jpg
 
Lenny HB said:
The cheap 6 quid one comes with the heaters as standard Two on Tour assures me if you fit the 11 quid one as well they are very quiet.
Click to expand...

Removed the two standard with the kit ones and now just using one of the all aluminium ones. (y)

1706173791621.png


1706173847468.png
 
chaser said:
It just comes through the floor and out the side.
Click to expand...
Maybe fit a new short length of exhaust pipe coming out of the heater at 90 degrees along the length of the van enough to fit a silencer and then a 90 degree from the silencer out the side of the van.
 
Two on Tour said:
Maybe fit a new short length of exhaust pipe coming out of the heater at 90 degrees along the length of the van enough to fit a silencer and then a 90 degree from the silencer out the side of the van.
Click to expand...
They don’t like 90 degree bends.

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For how much we need it , I think I'll leave it as it is.
If we go to France this year , I know, I know, we shall be using campingcarparks and take a oil filled radiator with us. ;) ;)(y)
 
Lenny HB said:
Yes, basic silencer is a bit noisy add a second quiet one and it becomes very quiet. I think you are winding me up but in case you are not:-

Diesel Heater Silencer for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Diesel Heater Silencer. Shop with confidence.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thanks Lenny that reminded me and also found from that the air filter one so now both ordered
 
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Platelet said:
As having driven the blue light version of these I can confirm what Rupert said about the Genesis system, both this and the Carnation system had problems. Everything from the cab backwards (excluding road lights) goes through that system. From what the OP said there is no lights or night heater, this implies that there is no power from it, or to the Genesis unit. Some have a mechanical and some have an electronic (master breaker) isolation switch. My first starting point would be to check the auxiliary battery box to see if there is actually a battery in there in the first place and take it from there. The Genesis is basically a multi functional, manual/electronic breaker switched fuse board which is powered by both aux battery and engine, it covers every conceivable light (nearside/offside), radio, torch, suction, 12v hella din, Defib ect that you could possibly think of.
Click to expand...
Hi everyone! Many thanks for all the replies to my query. I have subscribed just so I can let you know what's happening. Here are some answers and a few more questions - yes, I found the leisure battery and charged it up but that made no difference. No, there are no helpful switches at the front. I think Rupert at Base Van is a great guy. He was very patient when I was buying the van (dithering, having to sell previous van to pay for the ambulance etc). I had a mechanic inspect it for me before I bought it but missed that he hadn't checked out lights and heating in the back. To be fair he probably took one look at the Genesis set up and left it alone. Rupert has now kindly offered to fix the electrics if I can get the van to him. Unfortunately it's a 3 hr drive and it would mean a whole day away from daughter care- not easy to arrange. In the meantime I shall contact the East of England Ambulance Service and see what they can suggest. What is an OP? I thought maybe Old Person as am 75 (also a she, not a he) but thought that unlikely. It's been lovely to come across you all - you have restored my faith in humanity. It's been a very hard 4 years ss we've had to be shielding daughter all this time. Still none of us have caught anything in that time!
Platelet said:
As having driven the blue light version of these I can confirm what Rupert said about the Genesis system, both this and the Carnation system had problems. Everything from the cab backwards (excluding road lights) goes through that system. From what the OP said there is no lights or night heater, this implies that there is no power from it, or to the Genesis unit. Some have a mechanical and some have an electronic (master breaker) isolation switch. My first starting point would be to check the auxiliary battery box to see if there is actually a battery in there in the first place and take it from there. The Genesis is basically a multi functional, manual/electronic breaker switched fuse board which is powered by both aux battery and engine, it covers every conceivable light (nearside/offside), radio, torch, suction, 12v hella din, Defib ect that you could possibly think of.
Click to expand...
Hi everyone! Many thanks for all the replies to my query. I have subscribed just so I can let you know what's happening. Here are some answers and a few more questions - yes, I found the leisure battery and charged it up but that made no difference. No, there are no helpful switches at the front. I think Rupert at Base Van is a great guy. He was very patient when I was buying the van (dithering, having to sell previous van to pay for the ambulance etc). I had a mechanic inspect it for me before I bought it but missed that he hadn't checked out lights and heating in the back. To be fair he probably took one look at the Genesis set up and left it alone. Rupert has now kindly offered to fix the electrics if I can get the van to him. Unfortunately it's a 3 hr drive and it would mean a whole day away from daughter care- not easy to arrange. In the meantime I shall contact the East of England Ambulance Service and see what they can suggest. What is an OP? I thought maybe Old Person as am 75 (also a she, not a he) but thought that unlikely. It's been lovely to come across you all - you have restored my faith in humanity. It's been a very hard 4 years ss we've had to be shielding daughter all this time. Still none of us have caught anything in that time!
 
Ambulance said:
Hi everyone! Many thanks for all the replies to my query. I have subscribed just so I can let you know what's happening. Here are some answers and a few more questions - yes, I found the leisure battery and charged it up but that made no difference. No, there are no helpful switches at the front. I think Rupert at Base Van is a great guy. He was very patient when I was buying the van (dithering, having to sell previous van to pay for the ambulance etc). I had a mechanic inspect it for me before I bought it but missed that he hadn't checked out lights and heating in the back. To be fair he probably took one look at the Genesis set up and left it alone. Rupert has now kindly offered to fix the electrics if I can get the van to him. Unfortunately it's a 3 hr drive and it would mean a whole day away from daughter care- not easy to arrange. In the meantime I shall contact the East of England Ambulance Service and see what they can suggest. What is an OP? I thought maybe Old Person as am 75 (also a she, not a he) but thought that unlikely. It's been lovely to come across you all - you have restored my faith in humanity. It's been a very hard 4 years ss we've had to be shielding daughter all this time. Still none of us have caught anything in that time!

Hi everyone! Many thanks for all the replies to my query. I have subscribed just so I can let you know what's happening. Here are some answers and a few more questions - yes, I found the leisure battery and charged it up but that made no difference. No, there are no helpful switches at the front. I think Rupert at Base Van is a great guy. He was very patient when I was buying the van (dithering, having to sell previous van to pay for the ambulance etc). I had a mechanic inspect it for me before I bought it but missed that he hadn't checked out lights and heating in the back. To be fair he probably took one look at the Genesis set up and left it alone. Rupert has now kindly offered to fix the electrics if I can get the van to him. Unfortunately it's a 3 hr drive and it would mean a whole day away from daughter care- not easy to arrange. In the meantime I shall contact the East of England Ambulance Service and see what they can suggest. What is an OP? I thought maybe Old Person as am 75 (also a she, not a he) but thought that unlikely. It's been lovely to come across you all - you have restored my faith in humanity. It's been a very hard 4 years ss we've had to be shielding daughter all this time. Still none of us have caught anything in that time!
Click to expand...
Thanks for coming back to update and welcome
Sorry its not been resolved yet but good luck
it will be interesting to find out what the actual fault was

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