Removing/Uninstalling Equipment and Related Problems

Nathan R

Lifetime VIP Donor
Mar 27, 2014
853
USA
Having run into some issues previously with purchasing used/uninstalled equipment, users can post tips for PROPER removal of equipment. You can specify what type of equipment (lighting/sirens, radios, etc...), and ways to avoid damage to the vehicle(s), and equipment. This may also assist people with diagnosing issues they find with equipment they acquire that is not functioning properly.

One common issue I have seen is when removing powered equipment, the (+) Hot and (-) Ground cables are cut in the same snip, resulting in a short when both come into contact with a metal wire cutter/other tool. This can cause fuses and other protections (inside of the products) to blow, and the equipment appears to be broken/inoperable, and can be as simple as a fuse replacement.

To avoid this, make 2 separate cuts on the Hot and Ground, and offset the cuts to avoid any contact even after cuts have been made.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Jarred J.

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 21, 2010
11,580
Shelbyville, TN
or just  remove them from said + or - then  cut them
 

Alec R

Member
Sep 9, 2014
50
eLightbars
or just  remove them from said + or - then  cut them

Think bigger picture, Jarred. Often times vital pieces are left behind because someone simply cut wires. Prime example: for every six 911EP Millennium lightbars, there is only one CID left to go with because often its left behind in the vehicle and the bar was simply removed. The CID is required for proper function of the bar, and without the company around theres little support. So once a month someone joins the forums all excited to make their lightbar work, and then they learn that a CID is required but impossible to find. So the bar gets tossed in the corner and forgotten about because the CID for it was left in a police cruiser that was auctioned off and is long gone.

Look how many Cencoms pop up for sale with no wiring, had they unit and its wiring been completely and properly removed, the unit would be complete. Complete unit means fast and simple sale, and installation.
 
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1863650

Member
Jun 2, 2014
111
Colorado
Think bigger picture, Jarred. Often times vital pieces are left behind because someone simply cut wires. Prime example: for every six 911EP Millennium lightbars, there is only one CID left to go with because often its left behind in the vehicle and the bar was simply removed. The CID is required for proper function of the bar, and without the company around theres little support. So once a month someone joins the forums all excited to make their lightbar work, and then they learn that a CID is required but impossible to find. So the bar gets tossed in the corner and forgotten about because the CID for it was left in a police cruiser that was auctioned off and is long gone.

Sadly, I think the goal of a lot of the motorpools that are decommissioning equipment is just to get it out the door quickly, so they cut as many corners as possible. I have a lot of trouble believing they don't know which lightbars have specialized CID or other serial interfaces, considering they likely have to troubleshoot & fix something in those setups periodically. Getting out every last part so they can sell radios and warning equipment complete means they might get an extra buck or two on the next-to-nothing they're going to get for each component at the surplus auctions. It's just not worth their time or the taxpayer's money, which is ultimately paying their salaries.

I think even what Jarred mentioned is asking too much, too...it's just too easy to cut wires carelessly and leave unnecessary hot wires lurking throughout decommissioned vehicles, and far more trouble to figure out where they originate so they can just be disconnected at the splice, fusebox, or ring terminal.

Now, if outfitters provided decommissioning guides, which listed the key disconnect and hidden equipment locations, there would be a chance the process might be done in a more professional manner, at least by some fleet shops.
 

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