Outfitting A New Service Van, Part 1

Behind the backpack is a vehicle jump starter. I don't like to jumpstart other vehicles with my service truck, so I use this instead.

POWER SUPPLIES

Behind both seats you will notice my power supplies. If one of the power supplies fails, I will suffer no interruption of service. Behind the driver is old reliable Reddi -Line 600 Watt convertor. I have this fused and wired directly to the main battery. This unit powers all equipment on the driver's side of the truck. Behind the passenger seat, is a 1500 Watt pure-sine inverter. This is also fused and wired directly to the battery. Pure sine is a little more expensive, but the power is cleaner. The inverter powers everything on the passenger side of the truck. It also powers the printer and laptop, if needed.

In the pictures you will notice that 12 gauge wiring is throughout the truck. This allows me to take 110V AC power from anywhere. If I am away from the vehicle and need AC power, I can simply run an extension cord through a cracked window. I can run the truck, lock it up, and walk away. I can also remove the plugs from the power supplies which feed the receptacles in the van, and plug them into house current. If I am parked at a commercial installation and I am running the Ultracode or a duplicator for an extended period, I sometimes run a cord to their electric supply. This saves wear and tear on my service vehicle.

I have seen other locksmiths utilize a second battery for the purpose of running machinery. That is a wise choice. The second battery's sole job is to power the equipment. If it goes dead, the vehicle will still start. This is done by means of a solenoid which keeps the two separate, but charges both at the same time. I have not been able to utilize this method due to space constraints. Everything is a compromise. My workaround solution is: if I have any concern that I may kill my battery, I simply run the engine. When you design your next mobile office, make every attempt to utilize a second battery if at all possible.

EQUIPMENT & INVENTORY

Next time we will finish the layout of this service truck, and review some of the equipment and inventory. Hopefully you will be able to take from my experience and build upon it.

I will show the main work area, as well as ways I organize the contents. This vehicle is not designed to be a work of art. We work out of these trucks. That does not mean however, that they should not be neat, clean, organized, and a showcase of the work your customer can expect from you. When the customer comes over and pokes his head into your truck to be nosy, is he impressed or disappointed? You never get a second chance to make a first impression.