Changing LED flash patterns on an ambulance?

[crash_over-ride]

So one of the agencies I work for part-time on the side recently took delivery of two 2012 Chevy/Demers Type II rigs. They have a total of five front facing LED modules: 3 Whelen (400?) LEDS RWR above the cab, and two LED modules RR in the grill. Aside from the frugal light package, they have a pretty basic flash pattern that is standard for a lot of rigs. It's supposed to be the 2 outboard Red LEDs above the cab alternating with the single white supra-cab LED and the red grill lights. However, I discovered upon examining the rig that had been placed in service that the flash pattern is set up so that upper white and one red LED flash at the same time as the grill lights, leaving a single red front facing LED to flash the rest of the time.


How easy would it be to set the lights so that the red grill lights flash with the front facing white LED, and the two front marker lights flash together the rest of the time?

 

[dodgefan99]

Sorry to say that you will probably not be able to change the patterns on those light heads.


Per the national ambulance spec (KKK Spec), it is mandated that the lights flash the way they flash and the rate of those said flashes.


Now, the ambulance had to be delivered this way due to the mandates placed on the manufacture. But by all means, if the state does not enforce this, then feel free to add a flasher to the vehicle and change things around a bit.


On a side note, whose bright idea was it to mandate that both grille lights flash at once?!

 

[NPS Ranger]

Check the electrical panel and find the ambulance flasher, most likely it has outputs labeled A, B & C controlling the primary & secondary patterns. Swapping the leads from one to another will give you some leeway, for example swapping B & C may give you alternating patterns, etc. Your vehicle will no longer be KKK compliant, however.

 

[d119]

Sorry to say that you will probably not be able to change the patterns on those light heads.

Per the national ambulance spec (KKK Spec), it is mandated that the lights flash the way they flash and the rate of those said flashes.


Now, the ambulance had to be delivered this way due to the mandates placed on the manufacture. But by all means, if the state does not enforce this, then feel free to add a flasher to the vehicle and change things around a bit.


On a side note, whose bright idea was it to mandate that both grille lights flash at once?!

Is the KKK spec a "law"? Is it mandatory, or just a suggestion/specification?

 

[Zoe]

... It's supposed to be the 2 outboard Red LEDs above the cab alternating with the single white supra-cab LED and the red grill lights. However, I discovered upon examining the rig that had been placed in service that the flash pattern is set up so that upper white and one red LED flash at the same time as the grill lights, leaving a single red front facing LED to flash the rest of the time.

How easy would it be to set the lights so that the red grill lights flash with the front facing white LED, and the two front marker lights flash together the rest of the time?

Reading the OPs description, it sounds like he knows what KKK is, and what it entails... but that it has been wired incorrectly.


OP, it just sounds like the leads, at the flasher, have been attached to the incorrect outputs. Simply moving the wires around will get you back to KKK spec.


(Find the lead for the box mounted Red that flashes with the White, and move it to the output for the other box mounted Red)


From there, if you want to mess around with things, that's up to you / your department.


d119:


KKK is law per se, *but* your state may mandate that your trucks follow KKK requirements through administrative requirements or worse, which effectively makes KKK carry the weight of law.

 

[badge22]

Is the KKK spec a "law"? Is it mandatory, or just a suggestion/specification?

KKK Specs are the requirements for ambulances purchased on Federal Government contracts and are not the law for all ambulances. Some states have adopted the requirements as law. In lieu of a customer specifying something different, the manufacturers often default to KKK specs.


Knowing the make and model of the flasher would be helpful and then locating a wiring diagram. The manufacturer may provide that information for you.

 

[Storm4200]

On a side note, whose bright idea was it to mandate that both grille lights flash at once?!

the grill lights alternate with lights that flash on the box, creating a LARGE foot print of light at once. out of 5 ambulances in our fleet, 2 of the truck's grill lights alternate, while the other 3 flash simultaneously . the lights that flash at the same time are much brighter and more noticeable, especially during the day

 

[5309]

so when does the KKK make laws?

 

[Zoe]

so when does the KKK make laws?

Not sure if you are just trying to be funny... but incase you honestly weren't aware (in which case I'm glad you asked):


KKK-A-1822F


(Makes for some good bathroom reading.)

 

[Medicman695]

.......(Makes for some good bathroom reading.)

Lol agreed.


If you read the standards there is a little wiggle room in how you set the pattern, from my understanding it is more about the phasing of the lights then the pattern itself. ie the big "900" lights on the corners of the box must flash together at a minimum flash right but after that the pattern is user choice. I see the new "checker board" flash pattern on the Fed sig 9x7's on ALOT of new rigs and, if I understand the KKK specs right, is just barely staying in the specs.


To the OP alot will depend on the flasher model as well since most KKK-spec flashers will only have the one pattern. If you luck out and have a flasher with more than one pattern then you can pick whichever one gets you hard lol. But as everyone else said the only option you may have is to move the lights to different output posts to change the phasing.

 

[5309]

Not sure if you are just trying to be funny... but incase you honestly weren't aware (in which case I'm glad you asked):

KKK-A-1822F


(Makes for some good bathroom reading.)

yes i was.. i Honestly was not aware :thumbsup:

 

[Zoe]

yes i was.. i Honestly was not aware :thumbsup:

Happy to oblige!