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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: jav9956 on May 21, 2017, 08:26:21 PM

Title: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: jav9956 on May 21, 2017, 08:26:21 PM
Hi all, I hoping someone can speed up my search for "the answer".

I want to know what is housed in these metal boxes. One appears to go to the 120 volt system. Not sure what the other does. I would like to remove them if they are unnecessary, I just haven't been able to find them in the manual yet and I hate the pdf manual I have.

They are located on the drivers side underneath the front junction box just behind the lower side door.

I also remember about a year ago someone posting the same thing... but of course I forgot.

Any help is much appreciated. Pictures to the boxes should be viewable by the links below. Thank you!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubSHFwM1MzOFYzelE/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubSHFwM1MzOFYzelE/view?usp=sharing)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubOGFBX2tITVRUVWc/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubOGFBX2tITVRUVWc/view?usp=sharing)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubYlcwZkRjRmxxVTg/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubYlcwZkRjRmxxVTg/view?usp=sharing)
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: lvmci on May 22, 2017, 07:05:51 AM
I don't think any of that is factory, so don't think it will be in any service manual, do you know what company the bus was sold too? That might give a hint to somebody. lvmci...
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: Geoff on May 22, 2017, 07:21:35 AM
Why can't you just take the covers off and look?

--Geoff
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: John316 on May 22, 2017, 09:00:30 AM
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EaJKa3p3PKFqshp_zkWq3gMiAh49qqtCQjNKEs8aKe_MiSGV3py4_CsNqjPWnEeMRoFVGFzlawRakxA=w1922-h943-rw)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ojJ3391QEFs1Alkc-4biPD1AY7hxtDtV7oqroE_ixu-hYNoKjnEm4Shm6eJXnCK_6XKgRJ9drqQhYrc=w1922-h943-rw)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/N1c3HcgifNx_Gjq1muTfMiZoCAccB0i9SmrFMOpq_CVfr50iOLswOr7v047su9jiDm8g-z5cXPhcFtU=w1922-h943-rw)

There you go, for those who want to see the pics.
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: Oonrahnjay on May 22, 2017, 10:31:27 AM
Quote from: John316 on May 22, 2017, 09:00:30 AM
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EaJKa3p3PKFqshp_zkWq3gMiAh49qqtCQjNKEs8aKe_MiSGV3py4_CsNqjPWnEeMRoFVGFzlawRakxA=w1922-h943-rw)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ojJ3391QEFs1Alkc-4biPD1AY7hxtDtV7oqroE_ixu-hYNoKjnEm4Shm6eJXnCK_6XKgRJ9drqQhYrc=w1922-h943-rw)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/N1c3HcgifNx_Gjq1muTfMiZoCAccB0i9SmrFMOpq_CVfr50iOLswOr7v047su9jiDm8g-z5cXPhcFtU=w1922-h943-rw)

There you go, for those who want to see the pics.

    Or not ....

   
403. That's an error.

Your client does not have permission to get URL /EaJKa3p3PKFqshp_zkWq3gMiAh49qqtCQjNKEs8aKe_MiSGV3py4_CsNqjPWnEeMRoFVGFzlawRakxA=w1922-h943-rw from this server.
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: Dave5Cs on May 22, 2017, 12:17:03 PM
That was definitely a Church coach. Those are Holey boxes..... ::)
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: eagle19952 on May 22, 2017, 04:54:05 PM
Quote from: Dave5Cs on May 22, 2017, 12:17:03 PM
That was definitely a Church coach. Those are Holey boxes..... ::)
Now u know why :)
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: jav9956 on May 22, 2017, 05:14:58 PM
I am not sure, I will take the covers off tomorrow and snap a picture; will try to upload tomorrow evening.

There is 120 volt inlet for being parked in the station that feeds into a box above these. There is a grounded outlet that comes out of this box and plugs into the taller of the two boxes pictured... I just have a bunch of boxes don't I?  ???  ???

Maybe it is something useful, I can only hope.


I probably shouldn't take them out then... I need as many holy boxes as I can get!!!
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: Dave5Cs on May 22, 2017, 05:41:46 PM
Cute Eagle careful you end up with as many,LOL ;D
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: eagle19952 on May 22, 2017, 06:18:15 PM
Quote from: Dave5Cs on May 22, 2017, 05:41:46 PM
Cute Eagle careful you end up with as many,LOL ;D

Working on it :)
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: RJ on May 22, 2017, 11:31:21 PM
Quote from: jav9956 on May 22, 2017, 05:14:58 PM
There is 120 volt inlet for being parked in the station that feeds into a box above these. There is a grounded outlet that comes out of this box and plugs into the taller of the two boxes pictured. . .

Bjorn -

It's my guess that those are transformers to power the 24vdc fluorescent in-station lighting that's wired separately from the normal coach interior lamps.

FWIW & HTH. . .

;)
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: Geoff on May 23, 2017, 06:32:31 AM
Quote from: RJ on May 22, 2017, 11:31:21 PM
Bjorn -

It's my guess that those are transformers to power the 24vdc fluorescent in-station lighting that's wired separately from the normal coach interior lamps.

FWIW & HTH. . .

;)


. That sounds reasonable, but there has to be smaller 24v converters like the 120v to 12v ones travel trailers use.

--Geoff

Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: daddysgirl on May 23, 2017, 09:55:35 AM
Because of the telltale in station port above them, they might have been used to house some of the plugs...lights, heaters, water port...?
IDK...I have them everywhere. A few are connected...a few are not.
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: jav9956 on May 24, 2017, 09:01:06 AM
I was, of course, so focused on getting fiberglassing done and some framing around the windows done that I forgot to take the darn pictures. I even remember the thought crossing my mind; "don't forget to take the pictures dummy". Well, stupid is as stupid does. I will be back at the bus this coming weekend and will investigate the boxes taking pictures along the way.


I really appreciate the input. In station lighting sounds like a reasonable option. I will look for the corresponding converter as well. We'll see what happens!

Thanks all!
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: jav9956 on May 27, 2017, 09:27:59 PM
So I dug around a little today and here are my findings.

The boxes appear to be identical. They also appear to each go to there own plug and feed into the same breaker box labeled 110 VAC. I can't get myself into a position to follow where the wires go coming out of the "110 VAC" breaker box. In truth I didn't even really see the second outlet on the outside till I started tracing wires!

So to me it looks like the outlets are indeed for station power. I assume the two boxes would then be converters to go from AC to DC.... still not 100% sure? At this point I think it is safe to say I can remove both of them considering the corroded state. Just as a point of curiosity I am interested to know exactly what they are though. Any input is much appreciated. Sorry for all the links!!!

Here are pictures of the outlets on the exterior of the coach:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubdVRkTFpMN3ZMYms/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubdVRkTFpMN3ZMYms/view?usp=sharing)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubY1d2MllLZ2YyNEE/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubY1d2MllLZ2YyNEE/view?usp=sharing)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubMDBSMUljeXJUUTA/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubMDBSMUljeXJUUTA/view?usp=sharing)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubczRXcXF0NnZXWWc/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubczRXcXF0NnZXWWc/view?usp=sharing)

Here is a picture of the 110 VAC breaker box located above the two boxes in question:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubNEYyeUZ4bGZNYk0/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubNEYyeUZ4bGZNYk0/view?usp=sharing)

Here is a picture of the wiring (there is also a bus bar they feed into):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubbGZwcXNGVExVM3c/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubbGZwcXNGVExVM3c/view?usp=sharing)

Here is a picture of the literal plugs connecting the boxes to the breaker box:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubTDhCTEc3ZmlGc2M/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubTDhCTEc3ZmlGc2M/view?usp=sharing)

Lastly, some pictures of the innards of the boxes (as much as I could get):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubMTJBRnR1MllUQkk/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubMTJBRnR1MllUQkk/view?usp=sharing)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubNWJueXFHTHVMLWc/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_y61343PubNWJueXFHTHVMLWc/view?usp=sharing)
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: Scott & Heather on May 27, 2017, 09:38:21 PM
My coach had in station lighting transformers there. They would actually operate a 120v set of luggage bay lights and fluorescents inside the coach while parked in station. I'm almost sure that's what they are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: What are these??? (MCI 102 A3)
Post by: Dave5Cs on May 28, 2017, 04:32:44 PM
@Bjorn, The second to last picture on the right side has some kind of a Capacitor with the looped wires on top. Was there Coach original AC close to that location maybe?

@ Eagle,  You have attained greatness with 6. Awesome.... ;)