Recent posts

#71

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

Last post by Glennman - May 11, 2026, 10:03:43 PM

My spare ECM is on its way, along with a spare Allison transmission button pad. I plan to have the ECM checked for Jake brake functioning along with having some other issues looked into such as the high idle and other things that have quit working. I don't show any codes, but apparently that is no guarantee that there aren't some other issues. Once I have it checked out, I'll have them both synced like I did with the transmission control module so they both work the same.

I replaced my 500 mile brake shoes today with ones that are more of a metallic material, unlike the previous ones that are purely organic. The organic material just glazes over too easy I guess. I was going to get shoes called KVT, but I ended up with ones (supposedly comparable) called "454A". I hope the new ones are hardier. The material looks like what's on typical disc brake pads, and they look way better. We're taking about a 150 mile trip to the lake at the end of the month, one week before we head down to southern Utah in June. That'll give us a chance to see how well they work.

#72

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: charging lithium-ion batte...

Last post by luvrbus - May 10, 2026, 01:31:52 PM

That's....kinda genius. I have a second, belt-driven alternator mounted in the radiator/blower compartment that has never been hooked up; it is positioned to be driven off the upper (blower) pulley. The original owner, in pre-lithium days, surely meant for it to charge his house bank of lead batteries. Maybe I'll try to bring it online with a small dummy load and see if I can get comfortable that it is reliable.

Custom Coach when they were converting the older MCI always had a alternator mounted on the blower pulley to charge the 12 v house system, a good friend still has the alternator on his Custom Coach mounted there for the house bank charging it was a easy way to split the charging from  the 24v chassis charging

[unlock]

#73

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Weird air system issue

Last post by KF6-BusFan - May 10, 2026, 11:03:42 AM

So I have to assume the issue is inside the drum somewhere?  Any advice on what could be keeping the rod from disengaging? 

Did you get to the bottom of this?  The DD3 air chamber needs air supplied to what they call the "locking port" in order to unlock the brakes. This comes from the inversion valve, which is commanded by your push/pull parking valve.

The locking mechanism inside the air chamber is a sort of ratchet, so sometimes after applying "lock" air to unlock the lock, you have to pulse the main brake application air, to push the rod out briefly and then allow it to retract.

While working on mine, on the bench, I would test by applying air from a compressor/tank to the lock port, and every time the rod would just retract using the internal spring. But when installed, sometimes I have to pulse the brake pedal.

Hope that helps.

#74

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: charging lithium-ion batte...

Last post by KF6-BusFan - May 10, 2026, 10:11:53 AM

With house battery sets the sizes they are today, we need to reverse the old thinking, the start batteries are the auxiliary, the house are the mains. Adding a small alternator for the starts, etc, everything backwards.

That's....kinda genius. I have a second, belt-driven alternator mounted in the radiator/blower compartment that has never been hooked up; it is positioned to be driven off the upper (blower) pulley. The original owner, in pre-lithium days, surely meant for it to charge his house bank of lead batteries. Maybe I'll try to bring it online with a small dummy load and see if I can get comfortable that it is reliable.

#75

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

Last post by luvrbus - May 08, 2026, 05:28:07 AM

I googled Clarke Power and the closest one is Missouri. I'm in Washington. I'm thinking of at least calling them and discussing it with them. We have family in Missouri where we've driven the bus to before. I wouldn't be afraid to make a trip there if I thought it would get me some Jakes.

It doesn't have to be Ckarke Power any DD & Allision dealer can solve your problem ,I have had good luck with Smith's in Boise Id,I wasn't too happy with Tacoma Diesel the 1 time I used it,but it was 20 years ago on an 8v92 Detroit. It is too bad WW Williams dropped their parts and service on MCI buses, it made life easier for MCI owners. Williams now owns all the Valley Power locations I look for those to servicing buses before long,Valley had a location in WA or OR state

#76

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

Last post by Glennman - May 07, 2026, 08:07:51 PM

It not just MCI the Allision WT all down shift to 4th with Jakes from the factory the B500 is bus transmission only but are the same as all the 4000 series it  is a default setting that has to be changed to stop the 4th gear drop. If it was downing shifting it has to be getting a signal from the Jakes or the brake system.My Allision 4060 would down shift to 4th before I had it reprogramed, The World trans will not downshift without reading the RPM of the engine setting of 2100 rpm to prevent over speed of the engine. My ISX Cummins would use the turbo for braking till the 4060 read where it was in the safe zone to engage the Jakes. It's new school the Allison controls the engine and tells it what it wants. I think you have a Clarke Power in your area bite the bullet and take it there if you want Jakes, you are wasting time and money using a independent shop 

I googled Clarke Power and the closest one is Missouri. I'm in Washington. I'm thinking of at least calling them and discussing it with them. We have family in Missouri where we've driven the bus to before. I wouldn't be afraid to make a trip there if I thought it would get me some Jakes.

#77

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Sure is slow on the board

Last post by Krash - May 07, 2026, 03:55:39 PM

   Well, found it today.  It's the "Conversion Q&A" button, last on homepage main menu, that links to this forum.  Granted, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but shouldn't take a couple days to find it.  Something more obvious like "Forum" or "Community" might be better.  "Conversion Q&A" is more descriptive of a FAQ, and nobody reads FAQs.

#78

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Bus fire mystery

Last post by Iceni John - May 07, 2026, 01:53:11 PM

It looks to me like a normal British double-decker.

John

#79

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / This 1995 Prevost H3-41 was re...

Last post by Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM - May 07, 2026, 09:34:46 AM

To view this bus, click on the link below:

https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/bcmclassifieds/

If you have a bus to sell, we can help you sell it by listing it on our website for just $99.00 until it sells.

To list your bus for sale, simply click on this link and fill out the online form:  https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/bcmclassifieds/ or email Gary@BusConversionMagazine.com with your classified info, or call the office at the phone number at the bottom of our website.

Please note: We post these notes as a service to our readers and paid advertisers that support this Forum, which is solely supported by subscriptions and display advertisers, as well as Classified ads.

#80

Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Bus fire mystery

Last post by CrabbyMilton - May 07, 2026, 05:11:17 AM

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tj-maxx-double-decker-bus-heading-to-chicago-catches-fire-on-i-57-video-shows/ar-AA22vAXA?ocid=BingNewsSerp

This bus was customized by s company called WEST COAST CUSTOMS. This thing had right hand steering and may have been orginally build in China. Very little info about who the original builder is but I'm glad nobody was hurt.