Anyone Making Gas Pushers?

Ozlander wrote:

Tvov wrote:

BennieH wrote:
"I wouldn't think that would be much of a problem. Diesel engines generally generate more heat than a gasoline engine because of the high compression."

Actually diesels run cooler in the engine compartment. That is why all ambulances are now diesel. There were a LOT of gas engine ambulances that had engine compartment fires in the late 90's and all the builders switched to diesels.

Interesting. I thought the switch was made because ambulances have become so large (F450 and F550 sometimes) and due to constant running / idling.

Constant idling is not good on a diesel.

That is why a lot (if not most) emergency vehicles with diesel engines have a manual and/or automatic throttle control to boost rpms during extended idling. Emergency vehicles usually have so many electronic items using power that shutting down the engine for even a short time can kill the batteries. You many notice at firehouses and ambulance buildings vehicles parked will be plugged into shore power.

Police cars are similar, except they many times are not shut down at all ... the engine may routinely run 24 hours a day. Keep that in mind if you are tempted to buy a used police car - miles may seem okay to you, but the "engine hours" can be huge!

A lot of emergency vehicles have jumper plugs hanging out of the front grill, both leading in and out of the engine compartment, so the vehicles can jump each other as needed. These look similar to engine block heater plugs. Ambulances in my town have 3 plugs hanging out the front grill (or just inside it) - engine block heater plug, plug to jump another vehicle, and a receiver plug to get a jump start.

Fire engines usually have a "master switche" that will disconnect the batteries if the engine is shut down. Even so, most departments do not shut down a fire engine when out of the firehouse. To many things can go wrong if the engine won't restart.

Different departments have different procedures, these are what I know of them.

Sorry! Didn't mean to veer off topic too much. Need to get back to my coffee.