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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Tom Y on May 10, 2010, 07:10:46 PM

Title: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: Tom Y on May 10, 2010, 07:10:46 PM
  Got back Thursday from a 3 week trip. Pa to Tx into Az a few hours in Ca then Ut and home. Hit snow west of Denver on 70. Pulled both passes ( Vail and Love Land? ) at 45mph without pushing it. Towed a Wrangler and my MPG  averaged 8.68 for the trip. We had strong winds most of the trip and very few from behind.  Bus ran fine, just a few more bugs to work out.

    My electric wipers run to fast, I had a delay from JC but it would not work. Does anyone have a source for a good wiper delay?

   Thanks Tom Y
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: fe2_o3 on May 10, 2010, 10:32:02 PM
   Congrat's on a successful trip. Good to hear your equipment ran well. Got pix?...Cable
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: JackConrad on May 11, 2010, 05:43:13 AM
Quote from: Tom Y on May 10, 2010, 07:10:46 PM
     My electric wipers run to fast, I had a delay from JC but it would not work. Does anyone have a source for a good wiper delay?
  Thanks Tom Y

Tom,
   You might check with International Bus & Parts in Apopka, FL  800-468-5287 (I think that is the number)  Jack
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: Ace on May 11, 2010, 08:02:49 AM
Hey I'm just a little curious, how do you guys figure your MPG? I know this has been hashed over and over in the past but I'm lucky to get to get 6 mpg IF 6 which is usually a mid to high 5 and when I see 8 plus, it makes me think something's wrong with my, 1, set-up (tuning) or 2, my wonderful silverleaf vms 120 is wrong AGAIN!

I guess coach weight compared to coach weight could be a small factor but is it really THAT much of a difference?

Again, just curious!


I run a ddec 2 hooked to a good running 8v-92 turbo
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: bevans6 on May 11, 2010, 08:38:51 AM
He has a modified MCI MC-5C, which is already a light, short, narrow bus for an MCI, shortened 5 feet so lighter still, and a Cummins L10 fourstroke and probably some ridiculous highway cruising gear.  I get about 6.5 in my more standard MC-5C (which is a sister Navajo Transit bus to Tom's).

Brian
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: belfert on May 11, 2010, 08:54:16 AM
I figure MPG by dividing miles driven by gallons used.  My mileage sometimes get off from generator usage.  (The cost and space for a second generator tank isn't worth it for me.)

I don't have a exterior fuel filler on my bus.  I have to open a side door and dump fuel directly into the tank.  I can see exactly the level of the fuel.  I always fill to the same level within probably a gallon or two.  This isn't like a car or pickup truck where different pumps will fill the tank to different levels before shutting off.
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: Brian Diehl on May 11, 2010, 09:24:58 AM
Great news Tom!  I'm glad you had a good trip.  Isn't it great to have that kind of power going up and over those high passes!  I love mine, that is for sure!  Keep that thing rolling and continue to enjoy all your hard work!
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: uncle ned on May 11, 2010, 10:44:13 AM

I just don't understand how everyone figures fuel mileage .It is simple  i get 6 going and 5 coming back.  That makes it 11 mpg.

It is easy see

uncle ned
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: niles500 on May 11, 2010, 11:24:52 AM
Ace - You may be almost twice as heavy, 2 feet taller and have the aerodynamics of a brick and that does not include engine displacement difference - You're getting better than me though, but I think you have seperate tank for the genny - FWIW
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: Tom Y on May 11, 2010, 01:57:27 PM
Ace, I check mpg with each tank. I was playing with my Flux Capacitor, but not much ( more bugs to work out). Per tank high 9s was the best and 8 was the low, 5225 miles driven some gen use but not much. I run 63 mph and have a 3.38 rear, about 27,000 lbs. I am disapointed as .9 mpg for towing seems high.  Tom Y
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: Gary '79 5C on May 11, 2010, 04:01:53 PM
Tom,

Good for you on your successful engine conversion/replacement and recent mpg. I have slowed down with my 5C (6V92TA, 644MT trans) to 63-64 and am achieving high 7's close to 8 mpg. That is mostly on the east coast flatlands FL - NJ.

I might be blowing by your area next month, I need to travel to just west of Minneapolis mid June. I am planning a stop over near Pa/Oh line.

Gary
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: Tom Y on May 11, 2010, 06:12:10 PM
Gary, Shoot me an email if you are coming this way. Theres a good chance I may be gone out West again.  Tom Y
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: Ace on May 11, 2010, 08:34:48 PM
Niles, you really think I'm getting what some would call GOOD fuel mileage? My VMS 120 says from our most recent trip 5.6 -5.9 mpg. It has said as low as 4 mpg.
That's running an average of 68mph and pulling a 20 foot all aluminum stacker trailer without a car lift, lightly loaded with 1 golf cart, 1 Harley and some hand tools.

It's as high as the bus so I don't think wind on the nose of the trailer is/was much of a factor. In fact I almost forgot I was pulling it at times!

You say I'm getting better than you? That's hard to believe! :)

BTW...where have you been hiding? Lakeland misses you and your tab needs to be paid before they will let me back in the door! LOL
Title: Re: Back from a 3 week trip
Post by: niles500 on May 13, 2010, 09:56:23 AM
Ace - I probably forgot to tell you that Pat sold the Fowler avenue store to an Oriental fellow a few years ago - so I DON'T even have a tab anymore (and I shouldn't have paid my last bill  >:( but I did) - Pat still owns Lakeland, and since I'm helping "Jackie Chan" with a building permit and another tenant of his with a Wet Zoning, I'm sure I can get you a freebie or two - If I'm in the area before I leave for the summer I'd love to take you and Susan out to the "B" - As far as mileage, How about 2+ mpg going over the passes in the Rockies this summer - Does that make you feel better about your 5.6 to 5.9 - Thought so  ;D