Laerdal LSU Suction Unit 12 V DC Charging Lead for Ambulance and Vehicle Use
Laerdal LSU Suction Unit 12 V DC Charging Lead for Ambulance and Vehicle Use
This 12 V DC lead connects a Laerdal Suction Unit to a vehicle supply, so the unit runs and charges from the ambulance rather than depending on its internal battery. The charging circuit sits inside the suction unit itself, so the lead is a supply cable rather than a charger in its own right, and no separate charging block is involved. That distinction matters more than it sounds. An LSU on battery alone gives roughly 45 minutes of free flow running, which is ample for one job and nowhere near enough for a vehicle that may be out for a full shift. Wired to the vehicle supply, the unit charges continuously between calls and is at full capacity when the next one comes in. The DC cord is also the part most often missing from a second-hand or transferred unit, because it stays clipped into the vehicle when the suction unit moves on.
What is included
| Item | Detail | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| 12 V DC charging lead | One DC supply lead for the Laerdal Suction Unit | NEW |
What is not included
| Item | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Suction unit | Laerdal Suction Unit | SOLD SEPARATELY |
| AC mains lead | Mains power cord for charging from a wall socket | SOLD SEPARATELY |
| Battery | Rechargeable battery for the unit | SOLD SEPARATELY |
| Wall bracket | Mounting bracket for vehicle or wall installation | SOLD SEPARATELY |
| Canisters, tubing and filters | Consumables for the suction unit | SOLD SEPARATELY |
| Vehicle installation | Fitting and wiring into a vehicle electrical system | SOLD SEPARATELY |
This is the DC lead, not the mains lead
- This cord connects the suction unit to a 12 V DC vehicle supply. It does not plug into a wall socket and it is not a substitute for the AC mains lead.
- Check the connector against the existing lead before ordering. A unit fitted with the wrong lead either will not connect or will not charge.
- Do not modify the cord, cut it, extend it or fit a different plug. The supply arrangement is part of how the unit charges safely.
- Do not use a cord with a damaged plug, a split sheath, a crushed section or exposed conductor. Take it out of service and fit a fresh one.
- Route the cord so it cannot be trapped by a seat, a door or a stretcher rail, and so it does not become a trip hazard in the saloon.
Why the DC lead matters on a vehicle
A suction unit is emergency equipment, which means its usefulness is measured entirely by its readiness at the moment it is picked up. A unit that has been sitting on a partially charged battery for three days is a unit that may not last the job.
Permanent DC connection removes that uncertainty. The unit charges whenever the vehicle is powered, so it starts every call at capacity rather than at whatever the last crew left it at. It also means the unit can be run directly from the vehicle during a long extrication or transfer without watching the battery indicator.
The practical failure is mundane. DC leads go missing when a unit is moved between vehicles or comes out of a fleet, because the lead stays where it was clipped. A unit arrives at its new home with an AC lead only, gets charged overnight in a store room, and quietly loses the readiness the DC connection was there to guarantee.
Key points
Check compatibility before ordering
The Laerdal Suction Unit has been supplied in several configurations over its production life, and Laerdal lists distinct part numbers for the DC power cord, the AC mains cord in UK, EU and other territory versions, and the AC to DC power supply. Check the reference on the existing lead and the connector on the unit before ordering. Where the part number or the connector is not certain, ask and the cord will be photographed against a rule so both ends can be compared.
Specification
| Item type | DC power cord for a portable suction unit |
| Function | Connects the suction unit to a 12 V DC vehicle supply for running and charging |
| Fit reference | Laerdal Suction Unit, LSU |
| Supply | 12 V DC vehicle |
| Not for | AC mains connection |
| Setting | Ambulances, response vehicles, event medical, private ambulance fleets |
| Condition | New |
Specification limited to what is confirmed
Part number, cord length, connector type at each end and whether this is an original manufacturer part are not stated here pending confirmation against the item, and should not be assumed from the description above. Ask before ordering if any of these details is needed.
New and unused
This lead is new and unused. Sheath, both connectors and the strain relief are inspected before dispatch. Electrical safety testing and any vehicle installation remain with the operating organisation.
Care
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Inspect | Check the sheath, both connectors and the strain relief for damage before each use |
| Route | Run the cord clear of seats, doors, stretcher rails and walkways |
| Coil | Coil loosely rather than tightly around the unit, since sharp bends at the plug are where cords fail |
| Clean | Wipe with a damp cloth, disconnected, and dry fully before use |
| Withdraw | Take out of service on any split, crush, exposed conductor or loose connector |
| Vehicle supply | Confirm the vehicle circuit and its fusing are appropriate for the load, per the vehicle and equipment documentation |
The above is general guidance. The manufacturer instructions for use and the operating organisation's vehicle equipment policy take precedence.
