So the plan is to bug outta here on 12/25 to head south to FL. For the Delaware clan (or anyone else heading down from the Northeast) ... We'll be heading south via I-95 (Phila.) -- expect to hit I-95 by 3:00 PM. First fuel in North East, MD (Flying J). Subject to the powers that be ... our goal is to reach Latta, SC by midnight or shortly after. Fuel, dump tanks and sleep will be the order of business. IF YOU SEE OUR TAN AND BLACK STRIPED MCI, M-8 ... say Hi! The next AM we plan to bug out and make our way to Lady Lake, FL, where we'll be there visiting family for a few days. Head to Arcadia in the early AM of the 29th ... or PM of the 28th, hanging out at the Wal-Mart until the AM. Bug out either Sat. PM or Sun AM to head back to Lady Lake to rejoin family. It'll likely just be Jim (father-in-law) and myself, while the women and kids head to Orlando.
So finally got the bus into the polebarn after moving a bunch of stuff and throwing out other stuff. I don't know about you guys, but I hold on to stuff because "I know I'll need it someday" ... but then after it hangs here too long, off into the dumpster. I think I should put an expiration date on all the "stuff" I have ... if I don't utilize it by a certain date, off into the dumpster. I have (3) kitchen and (1) large bath order here jamming up my space. Not to mention all the other stuff.
Tomorrow plan on pulling the Kohler/Perkins GenSet. A two person proceedure (safely). Drain and pull the rad and see about replacing the insulated flex exhaust. Figure I am just gonna recore the Rad. I really don't feel like addressing one or two leaks, putting all back together, simply to have it fail not too long down the road. I'd rather bite the bullet once. Nothing sucks more than doing it twice or having it fail when you really need it (ie: Arcadia).
See you in Arcadia,
Jerry H.
ps: I will try and get a CB installed. At the moment, I don't have one -- but do have the antenna. :)
Hi Jerry,
If you really get in a jam, call me! I'm sure I'd be able to get up to you if I had to...
I gotta pull mine also on Monday to replace the belt and high temp sensor. But I have a fork lift to help me...LOL
Good Luck
Nick-
609-827-7331 cell
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on December 09, 2006, 03:10:15 PM
Hi Jerry,
If you really get in a jam, call me! I'm sure I'd be able to get up to you if I had to...
I gotta pull mine also on Monday to replace the belt and high temp sensor. But I have a fork lift to help me...LOL
Good Luck
Nick-
609-827-7331 cell
Nick,
Belt? Again?
If that Onan is eating up belts that fast the pulleys must not be aligned or you may be getting the wrong belt.??
I think there is a kevlar wound belt available that may last longer, I know that I have seen them just don't
remember where....
I have been running the same belt on one of my kubota's for about 5 years and it's still in good shape.. wierd... ;D
Uh.. Maybe cutting an access opening in the generator box might be an idea so you can change belts
without having to remove the whole unit each time???
Hay Dr. Dave
Yes, And hopefully this is the last time because I finally found the factory [metric] belt.....
yes, Metric.. It cost me $50.00 and I baught a spare. HA! I'll teach that generator who's Boss.... [Or Not]
Also I'll be installing a high temp sensor, and tightening up al the wire connections.
Nick-
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on December 09, 2006, 03:10:15 PM
Hi Jerry,
If you really get in a jam, call me! I'm sure I'd be able to get up to you if I had to...
I gotta pull mine also on Monday to replace the belt and high temp sensor. But I have a fork lift to help me...LOL
Good Luck
Nick-
609-827-7331 cell
Niick,
Thanks for the offer. Although no forklift ... with a floorjack, dolly, some blocking ... and some elbow grease ... it'll move.
If I get stuck, I've got your cell #.
Thanks again. Good luck with your belt swap. Forklift huh? You lucky bast%rd! (Someday).
Jerry
Hey Jerry
Glad to hear you are making progress. I agree on the recore, always a pain to do twice.
Hope we all can catch up with you on the 28-29th for the Arcadia Arival. Some are meeting up localy and making the trip down together. We plan on meeting up with some of the crew in SC. on the 27th? as we will be leaving family in WV. and heading down 77.
Catch you on the way down.
Bill Glenn
302-745-1192 cell
I don't know about you guys, but I hold on to stuff because "I know I'll need it someday" ... but then after it hangs here too long, off into the dumpster. I think I should put an expiration date on all the "stuff" I have ... if I don't utilize it by a certain date, off into the dumpster. I have (3) kitchen and (1) large bath order here jamming up my space. Not to mention all the other stuff.
Its a losing battle; you'll never need any of it until the day after you dump it or give it away.
Quote from: Lee Bradley on December 11, 2006, 03:30:37 PMIts a losing battle; you'll never need any of it until the day after you dump it or give it away.
True Lee, but you have to bite the bullet eventually. Otherwise, I'd need to keep adding on to the polebarn.
Jerry
Jerry,
Did you get your radiator out?
I got my genset out, did the belt, hi temp sensor, and an oil change. then put it back in and so far it's working great.
Now for the fuel leak....
Nick-
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on December 11, 2006, 05:26:31 PM
Jerry,
Did you get your radiator out?
I got my genset out, did the belt, hi temp sensor, and an oil change. then put it back in and so far it's working great.
Now for the fuel leak....
Nick-
I got the bus in -- got the genset out ... and then we had family plans.
I should have the rad out tomorrow.
I guess your AC work is off this time of season?
Jerry H.
Quote from: JerryH on December 11, 2006, 05:55:13 PM
... and then we had family plans.
then what are you doing on the web ?? ;D
Quote from: gumpy on December 11, 2006, 06:15:33 PM
Quote from: JerryH on December 11, 2006, 05:55:13 PM
... and then we had family plans.
then what are you doing on the web ?? ;D
Ok, so the Rad is off and away to get redone. Should be back by Monday they said. I'd like to replace the original heat wrap which covers the flex exhaust. Any suggestions?
Been busy with work (the "paying" kind -- or at least supposed to be paying). When the evening rolls around, mentally I am not so eager to head to the shop to work on the bus. Starting to work on the bus at 7 or 8pm sucks. Mind you, once I get going, I hate to leave. Weekends are easy, but weekdays ... lately ... not so much. Is it just ME?
Jerry H.
Jerry,
"Its not just you"
Getting dark so early in the winter seems to snatch the motivation!
I have gotten back in the habit of plugging away at the "Project" during the week aqain too.
Good time to get at the little "pain in the a*#neck" projects that eat up a Saturday.
Well get there, someday. ;D
Cliff
http://www.engineheatprotection.com/products.html I used the wet blanket on my gen muffer which is in the bay. After two hours of it running with the door closed I could put my hand on the muffler and hold it there. Works for me.
ED
MCI 7
After much thought, I've decided the reason I hold onto so much crap is because I 'm too lazy to make a decision. If I have space, I can put off making the decision. ;)
I'm also cheap & hate to buy today what I threw away last week.
But then again, that inventory doesn't do me any good if I have to buy new because I couldn't find it until AFTER I finished the project :o
Thanks for the info Ed .. I did phone them. They were out of stock, but I am also checking locally.
I've also attached a couple of photos of the beast out of the cave. Another one of my "BusNut" lounge in the polebarn. The refrigerator in the background stocked with domestic and imported beer (guess which country!).
Jerry H.
Quote from: FloridaCracker on December 14, 2006, 10:37:47 AM
Jerry,
"Its not just you"
Getting dark so early in the winter seems to snatch the motivation!
Cliff
Yeah. Dark and cold. Really saps ones motivation after working all day....It ain't just you. I still go like H on the weekends, but weekdays...little slow.
Back to work! JR
Quote from: JerryH on December 14, 2006, 02:27:55 PM
I've also attached a couple of photos of the beast out of the cave. Another one of my "BusNut" lounge in the polebarn. The refrigerator in the background stocked with domestic and imported beer (guess which country!).
Nice lounge!
Got any Black Bear Beer in that fridge?
Craig:
No, No dark beer - sorry.
BTW ... just got the phone call from Brian at Westend Radiator. Said that the original Custom Coach rad was a not-so-well made 'custom unit' which had been repaired several times -- so-so at that. Although my first thought was to do re-core, Brian and I discussed repair (before he saw it). But after seeing it in-person, the re-core was really the best way to go. Don't want to be pulling the GenSet again for the same or similar thing. It'll be back here on Tues. and hopefully that'll be it.
Jerry
Rad's back in -- while readying the flex exhaust for the heat wrap fix, I noticed a kink in the pipe under the wrap. The flex pipe is shot and I removed it. Now I need a replacement and fast. I've got Thurs. and Fri. to find it. I hope that between here and Philly I can find something. Suggestions welcomed.
Thanks,
Jerry H.
Check NAPA. They can get it. Might be a store in your area that has some. No idea on cost, but the stainless stuff is not cheap.
Ahh, problem solved I think. :D
Found a kink in the stainless flex-exhaust pipe. Wasn't confident I could find a replacement quickly -- nor did I want to spend the $$$ replacing it. I can only imagine the cost.
Call the friend with a shop that does stainless. He cut out the kink with a really nifty and clean machine and welded the two halves together. Looks good and should function fine.
I pulled the tubing insulation wrap up and secured it with mechanics wire. I bought heat wrap tape from a speed shop to address the missing section.
Ran the unit out of the baggage bay today to check for leaks and operation -- used a 1200 cfm fan I had, blowing over the rad to cool it.
I found some other funky things I think Custom Coach did. Overall, I don't like the genset install -- but it is some years old.
Do newer PowerTech and other brands have an integral cooling (belt driven) fan. Or are they electric?
Jerry H.
Jerry,
All the gensets I have seen that have the radiator attached to the genset use a belt driven fan. The only gensets I have seen with electric fans had remote radiators. Jack
PS: I did not stay at a Holiday Inn last night and I have not seen all the gensets
Jack:
Yeah, this is an older Custom Coach unit. They installed a squirrel cage (which engages once the AC is produced with the genset) and direct the air over the rad. Not a big 'fan' of this configuration (no pun intended).
BTW: Are there batteries w/ higher than 1000 cranking amps @ 32-deg??? Anyone know of a link?
Jerry H.
Glad to see you have it back together. ;D
Squirrel cage is much quieter and moves more air than propeller style fan. The electric version Uses more energy and complexity than direct drive style. Could have the best of both worlds. Belt drive Squirrel cage. Ok I guess I have to try that one. ::)
What are you going to use the batteries for. "BTW: Are there batteries w/ higher than 1000 cranking amps @ 32-deg??? Anyone know of a link?"?
Lots of options depending on use.
Bill
QuoteGlad to see you have it back together. ;D
Squirrel cage is much quieter and moves more air than propeller style fan. The electric version Uses more energy and complexity than direct drive style. Could have the best of both worlds. Belt drive Squirrel cage. Ok I guess I have to try that one. ::)
What are you going to use the batteries for. "BTW: Are there batteries w/ higher than 1000 cranking amps @ 32-deg??? Anyone know of a link?"?
Lots of options depending on use.
Bill
Hey Bill:
In a pinch I bought (2) Marine batteries at Wal-Mart (each cranking 875 @ 32-deg.), wired them in parrallel. I know it's (likely) not the most ideal way to go.
When Custom Coach wired this conversion, they have all the 12-volt house lighting on the 12v Genset starter batteries. I don't love it.
The coach actually has 12v, 24v, 120v lighting circuits. I wouldn't intentionally recreate certain electrical things here.
Jerry H.
. Using them
Just a note about WalMart batteries. I had to replace my 2 bus start batteries last fall in NC. I purchased 2 batteries at WalMart. 2 weeks later, in South Georgia, one of the new batteries failed (This was confirmed with a load tester when bus would not start). I took the bad battery back to the local WalMart. They replaced it with no problem, HOWEVER, it was not the same battery. The sales lady explained that each model battery has a "north" version and a "South" version. My particular battery was a 65-N and replaced with a 65-S. About 75 less CCA @ 32 degrees. Of course, they charge the same price for both. Jack
Just a thought on remote radiators and squirrel cage blowers: I would install a sail switch at the blower and wire it in to the shut down circuit or even just an alarm of some kind. This would warn you of a blower failure before you get into an overtemp situation.
Len
Well not having a day like Craig (and his travels).
But working on "wrapping up" the genset repairs and ...
So the plywood floor in the battery section was completely trashed (rotted). The blower upon closer examination was actually just sitting there, unsecured, since the rotted floor didn't hold screws too well. Removed the blower assembly, replaced the plywood floor, fixed some issues with the blower and reinstalled. Also addressed the 12v alt cable through it's own dedicated and grometed hole. Found another wire (broken) running from a wiring block (at battery/genset area) to the front of the coach.
Well the short of it is it's finally back in the cave, with new oil and filter, cooling fluid, rad, batteries, etc., etc., etc.
Wash the bus tomorrow, try to get a new radio installed, and load the bus.
Yea ... leave on Christmas Day (12 - 2pm).
See ya' all down there,
Jerry H.
ps: No CB installed.
Genset back in place, Good Thing.
Man, you cleared a spot to get yours in. I baulked at pushing the 46 or 49 outside. Glad it has not been that cold out.
That was the one thing ?????? well something I also did not get done (CB Radio On List) .....
Glad to see progress!!
We plan to leave same time. See family before meeting up for final trip in to,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Jack & Paula's NEW YEARS PARTY!!!!! Busnut BASH.
We will see you there.
Bill