Still in the Shop, But Progressing

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to give you all a quick update on the CausePlay ambulance. It's still in the shop, but we're making progress. The next part for the fuse box was expected Thursday, last week. After that, the main electrical cable, which is a custom component from the original ambulance conversion, needs to be rebuilt. It's a bit of a process, but we're getting there.

It’s taking a little longer than we hoped, but these things happen, especially with custom builds. I'm staying positive and focused on the end goal: getting the ambulance ready to support creators at events.

As we’ve been going through the electrical repair, I’ve gotten the opportunity to learn more about how this monster is wired.

This ambulance has its quirks.

First, there are two separate battery banks—one for the cab (starter, dash, lights, etc.) and one dedicated to the module in back (all the lights, outlets, fans, and gear). Makes total sense for a vehicle designed to save lives on the move, but if you’re not used to that setup, it can get a little weird.

The emergency lights draw serious power, and the system expects either the engine to be running or the rig to be plugged in. If you flip them on without the engine running or without being plugged in, the system throws a fit—alarms, blinking lights, full drama.

I also learned the electrical systems are split cleanly between the cab and the box, with most of the high-draw gear (like the inverter, HVAC, oxygen power, and 110V outlets) isolated in the rear. The cab has its own relay panels and flashers for things like sirens, PA systems, and switch-controlled spotlights. It’s like two vehicles sharing one set of wheels. This caused quite the original confusion with other service techs who couldn’t understand why the front cab didn’t have two batteries for the diesel engine. But it technically does and more! Just not located in the spot they’d expect.

It’s been fun learning how this thing ticks. It’s a little overbuilt, a little chaotic, and very much a product of its life as an emergency vehicle. And now, we get to take that foundation and shape it into something new!

In the meantime, if you'd like to support the project, check out our fundraising page. Every contribution helps us get closer to our goal!

Also, join our Discord as we develop or community of makers and stay updated on the progress!

Thanks for your continued support!

Stay weird!