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Thu Mar 04, 2004 12:48 pm

I was just wondering if anyone can tell me how to determine if my ambulance fan switch is good or bad? The fans work fine one at a time hardwired to the test battery, but with the switch neither one works. is there a way to read it out with a meter? There's 6 posts on it for the wiring, but I can't figure out if it's good or not. I don't want to have to spend $100 for a new switch if I don't have to. Also where do the jumper wires come from and go to on the switch? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thu Mar 04, 2004 7:55 pm

Vintagebus has a copy of the '58 tech bulletin on how to install ambulance fans (Electric Ventilator Set) -- here's page 2 that has a picture & wiring diagram.

Thu Mar 04, 2004 9:27 pm

Make sure your ground contact is good or connect the neg to the battery directly. Make sure there is good contact (with continuity tester) at the screw terminals (so when you crimp a wire down it contacts well)

Basically the switch is a voltage drop with 2 settings full voltage or half voltage....One at least should work (switch position 1) which gives 6 volts to one (or both fans)

testing should be obvious based on the wiring diagrams. when the switch is on you should have continuity between all positive and negative terminals, just limited voltage at switch position 2. (see below)

Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:08 am

Okay, I want to understand the operational theory of 6 volt fans. I have two sets of fans that will eventually be restored and installed into my '59 Double-Cab and '59 Double-Door Panel.

When the switch is turned to the low speed position, do both fans operate at a lower speed or does only one of the two fans operate? Mine aren't installed or ready to test yet, so looking for someone who has experienced this already.

Also, has anyone successfully reproduced the black knob (I have white knobs).

Last question, I've seen folks talk about blue and red lenses in the switch. What color would have been correct back in the day???

Bill Bowman

Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:30 am

BulliBill wrote: Okay, I want to understand the operational theory of 6 volt fans. I have two sets of fans that will eventually be restored and installed into my '59 Double-Cab and '59 Double-Door Panel.

When the switch is turned to the low speed position, do both fans operate at a lower speed or does only one of the two fans operate? Mine aren't installed or ready to test yet, so looking for someone who has experienced this already.

Also, has anyone successfully reproduced the black knob (I have white knobs).

Last question, I've seen folks talk about blue and red lenses in the switch. What color would have been correct back in the day???

Bill Bowman

i had a problem with finding black knobs for my panel
i end up sandingthe ones i had down and painting them
rustolem satin black is a close match to the orig color

Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:08 am

I hadn't even thought of that! That could work too. I just figured that someone out there had probably cast them in black plastic by now... Thanks for the suggestion!

Bill

Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:30 am

BulliBill wrote: When the switch is turned to the low speed position, do both fans operate at a lower speed or does only one of the two fans operate?
Both fans operate at a lower speed.

BulliBill wrote: Last question, I've seen folks talk about blue and red lenses in the switch. What color would have been correct back in the day?
All of mine have red lenses in the knob.

Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:52 am

To add to this thread, here are the factory installation manuals for an Ambulance fan:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/techbulletins/e4.php

Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:52 pm

Bill, A couple years ago, I picked up a few german switches that had black knobs that were exactly the same as the white ones. I'll see if I can dig up any info from the seller.

Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:46 am

I have a original sealing wax red set that has black switch

Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:04 am

Adding these photos to this thread since this thread is in the FAQ:

Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:11 am

This is copied from a post in the build thread from my '59 DC restoration, as it is great info for this thread too:

By the way, good news to report! I'm going to assist "ezcamper" and loan him a nice condition used black ambulance fan spacer ring which he will use to mold a reproduction ring for anyone in need of them to replace those cracked, broken or completely missing spacer rings on your ambulance fan switches. So in the near future you can contact him if you need a spacer ring for your ambo switch...

Bill

Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:09 am

BulliBill wrote: This is copied from a post in the build thread from my '59 DC restoration, as it is great info for this thread too:

By the way, good news to report! I'm going to assist "ezcamper" and loan him a nice condition used black ambulance fan spacer ring which he will use to mold a reproduction ring for anyone in need of them to replace those cracked, broken or completely missing spacer rings on your ambulance fan switches. So in the near future you can contact him if you need a spacer ring for your ambo switch...

Bill Nice.
Any plans to make some black switch knobs?

Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:08 pm

We talked this morning, and I don't think that Chad is planning to repro the knob in black, or ivory. He is borrowing my spacer ring to reproduce it. That is all that is planned... for now.

Bill

Thu Apr 24, 2014 4:59 pm

Fresh out of the mold. Reproduction on the right.

Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:25 pm

Holy Crap! That is awesome, so mine is on the left? Hard to tell any difference!

Bill

Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:31 pm

Your original is on the left. It is shinier. The mold release dulls the copy. (normally I would not use mold release but I didn't want to break your original!!!)

I just made 2 more. Bill, I'll ship them to you on Saturday. You wanted 3 repops right?

Thanks again for letting me borrow it.

Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:53 pm

Chad,

Those look great.

Thanks for taking the time to make these. much appreciated.

Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:55 pm

No sweat, and no rush. Very impressive what some folks can do to help the rest of us out! Nice job, looks good. I guess the happy new owners of your rings can do what I did to the repro black ambulance switch knob. I used a Dremel drill with a small buffing wheel and plastic polish to easily shine up the matte-finish to a high luster.

Yeah, three would be awesome, then all of my "used" ambulances switches will have a nice condition spacer ring.

You need to set up an ad once you produce a few more of them and make some more ambulance fan switch owner very happy! Maybe your next goal ought to be "black" ambulance switch knobs?

I'm happy to have helped by loaning you the original spacer ring! Thanks for undertaking the reproduction of these! They look great!

Bill Bowman

Thu Apr 24, 2014 8:01 pm

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