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#1

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Windows in a Bus Conversio...

Last post by luvrbus - May 01, 2026, 11:22:53 AM

What's the latest amp draw on the 15,000 btu units?

A friend just bought 3- 13.500 btu H/P units, and I saw 8.3 to 11 amp on a sticker with the 3 speed fans, they do good on a 15 amp 110 V cord he is  testing with.He is going run the units for a few days before removing his  unit he gun shy last year he installed a new Dometic and it was bad out of the box     


Jim

#2

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Windows in a Bus Conversio...

Last post by Jim Blackwood - May 01, 2026, 08:50:23 AM

What's the latest amp draw on the 15,000 btu units?

Jim

#3

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Windows in a Bus Conversio...

Last post by luvrbus - May 01, 2026, 05:10:17 AM

I would love to be able to mount the compressor portion of a mini-split on the roof, have you found one that is low profile? I do like the idea of ducting on the roof, it would fit nicely below my elevated solar panels.


His are low profile and they made by Pioneer the mini split people, I have seen other manufactures, I saw some Greenland that were cheaper, seems to be a trend now roof tops with inverter compressor, the Greenland had variable cooling from 7500 btu to 15,000 btu these new roof tops use the new R-32 freon you need to watch buying the mini splits at bargains suppliers are dumping the older R-410 freon units that EPA is phasing  out you won't be able to R-410 much longer, my understanding is the R-32 is lower pressure operating system than the 410 with better cooling and heat making the units less expensive to operate with lower amps draws, mini splits work for people I just never liked the cassette hanging from a wall and cutting holes for air flow to the outside unit 

#4

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Windows in a Bus Conversio...

Last post by freds - April 30, 2026, 02:03:05 PM

As far as AC are concerned today I would go with mini splits. Two years ago we repaced the roof AC in the bedroom with 9000 BTU Pioneer mini split. Frist surprise was we use the heat pump more the the AC. Second it's quiet so we can sleep with it on at night. The third is low amp draw, we ran it on a 15 amp circuit. Yes it needs space in the bay but well worth it. Already have a second unit in the garage to replace the front roof AC. Changing the lead batteries in the bay to lithium in the coach. This gives me the room for the air conditioner condenser.


 
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I would love to be able to mount the compressor portion of a mini-split on the roof, have you found one that is low profile? I do like the idea of ducting on the roof, it would fit nicely below my elevated solar panels.

#5

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Windows in a Bus Conversio...

Last post by Jim Blackwood - April 30, 2026, 11:51:20 AM

I wonder if I could get just the compressor and inverter for a mini-split? If I could get 12-18kbtu off a 115v 15amp line it'd make me pretty happy.

Jim

#6

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Windows in a Bus Conversio...

Last post by luvrbus - April 30, 2026, 09:43:22 AM

Thanks Gary, I just sent them an email, we'll see what they say.

I told 'em I wanted the replacement cartridges with the slider and screen, not interested in modifying the window opening.

Jim

As far as AC are concerned today I would go with mini splits. Two years
 ago we repaced the roof AC in the bedroom with 9000 BTU Pioneer mini split. Frist surprise was we use the heat pump more the the AC. Second it's quiet so we can sleep with it on at night. The third is low amp draw, we ran it on a 15 amp circuit. Yes it needs space in the bay but well worth it. Already have a second unit in the garage to replace the front roof AC. Changing the lead batteries in the bay to lithium in the coach. This gives me the room for the air conditioner condenser.

You can buy the roof tops now with the inverter set up like the mini splits and save the bay space and the head inside the bus, they are 1 unit Kenny installed 3 in Prevost just plug and play and go,I did notice his roof top use a better grade of tubing and the fins were thicker, his are real quite I couldn't those running like most roof tops .I have always had ducted roof top with wall T-stasts to keep from dealing with the noise
 
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#7

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Jakes, Automatic Downshift...

Last post by Glennman - April 29, 2026, 09:26:51 PM

KTV linings are non metallic ( no copper)a soft lining school buses use that type lining too. I installed new pads on my Lexus made by Nairobi the same type material.
 The B500 should not down shift to 4th gear without the Jakes switch turn on. You have a commutations problem could be a bad harness, a bent pin something simple or a bad ECM.A DD-Allision dealer has the equipment to check that for you. If you want to keep fighting it I have both the application manuals for the B500 and the series 60,I will let you use, they are rare and hard to find I would want those back, I have nothing on the MCI chassis modules. Testing the system has to be broken down in 2 parts, the OEM reasonability stops at the ECMs , the manufactures reasonability goes from there. That bus should have the ABS system the Jakes could be programed to work with the ABS system from MCI if it was down shifting by applying the brakes       
 
Thanks luvrbus. I appreciate the offer. The trouble is that I would probably only get more confused if I had the manuals in my hand. If I decide to go that route, I'll certainly let you know. I'll get a hold of my mechanic and see what he thinks.

I'll be ordering the new KVT lined shoes and give up my old ones with 500 miles on them as a core. It's unfortunate, but it's not like they sold me the wrong ones. They say that it's expensive to obtain a quality education these days.

#8

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Windows in a Bus Conversio...

Last post by silversport - April 29, 2026, 07:10:26 PM

As far as AC are concerned today I would go with mini splits. Two years ago we repaced the roof AC in the bedroom with 9000 BTU Pioneer mini split. Frist surprise was we use the heat pump more the the AC. Second it's quiet so we can sleep with it on at night. The third is low amp draw, we ran it on a 15 amp circuit. Yes it needs space in the bay but well worth it. Already have a second unit in the garage to replace the front roof AC. Changing the lead batteries in the bay to lithium in the coach. This gives me the room for the air conditioner condenser.


 
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#9

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Windows in a Bus Conversio...

Last post by Jim Blackwood - April 29, 2026, 10:07:25 AM

Thanks Gary, I just sent them an email, we'll see what they say.

I told 'em I wanted the replacement cartridges with the slider and screen, not interested in modifying the window opening.

Jim

#10

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Jakes, Automatic Downshift...

Last post by luvrbus - April 29, 2026, 06:45:14 AM

KTV linings are non metallic ( no copper)a soft lining school buses use that type lining too. I installed new pads on my Lexus made by Nairobi the same type material.
 The B500 should not down shift to 4th gear without the Jakes switch turn on. You have a commutations problem could be a bad harness, a bent pin something simple or a bad ECM.A DD-Allision dealer has the equipment to check that for you. If you want to keep fighting it I have both the application manuals for the B500 and the series 60,I will let you use, they are rare and hard to find I would want those back, I have nothing on the MCI chassis modules. Testing the system has to be broken down in 2 parts, the OEM reasonability stops at the ECMs , the manufactures reasonability goes from there. That bus should have the ABS system the Jakes could be programed to work with the ABS system from MCI if it was down shifting by applying the brakes