Problems in Williams Arizona

[ccbmster]

Hey guys,

On my way to Kansas and stopped for the night in Williams Arizona. Got dang cold out and no start this morning.  This is an MCI-9 that has been sitting for most of the last year.  Put a charge in the batteries on Friday and it started right up Saturday morning. Didnt turn over great Sunday morning in Barstow CA but it started and ran well all day.  Had AAA out and they couldnt get it jump started (the guy was young and not real interested in what he was doing actually, also didnt have great equipment).

So, I have booked another night in the hotel here and I am trying to sort this out so we can get back on the road in the morning. May have to buy a couple new batteries for it but no idea where to get them in this area or how to get them out here.  If there is anyone in the area that can assist or has info on where to turn in this area I would appreciate the help.

Thanks guys
Mike

[luvrbus]

 Geoff is not that far from you in Chino Valley Az but I cannot find his number anyone here have it ? he would be your best bet as he is a bus owner himself

[Red Rider]

I checked his profile but no info there. Sorry

[luvrbus]

I think this is Geoffs number 1-928-771-0045 then there is fleet services in Williams 928-635-9199 that works on tour buses there if they are still around

[gus]

Is your alt charging well?

If you have two start batteries make sure one is not shorted out, that will keep the other one from providing power. Happened to me on the road.

One shorted batt will keep the others from charging.

Otherwise your batts are probably just old and tired. The only way to know for sure is to get a cheap ($20-30) batt load tester and check each one separately. Voltage will not tell you much except if one is completely dead.

I replaced my 8Ds with two lighter weight and cheaper 4Ds, work just as well. Two or three Gp 31s will work well also, lighter and easier to handle.

[ccbmster]

I am pretty sure that it is just a matter of them being old and tired....not holding a good charge over night.

I tried the 928-635-9199 number here in Williams before posting here but had to just leave a message.  That was a couple hours ago and no return call as yet.

[Utahclaimjumper]

 It sounds as if you don't have a generator for backup,,not a good idea if you wish dependablity.>>>Dan

[luvrbus]

Not much in Williams when tourist season is over with in late Sept,hang on and sit down if Fleet Services sends someone to you from Phoenix or Ft Mohave

[ccbmster]

Dan, I do have a nice generator and a couple of good solid battery chargers and allllllllll kinds of redundant systems for backup.  BUT, they are all in my current bus conversion.  A nice 102A3.

This unit is my old one. An 82 MC9 that I put in storage when I got my 102A3 and took all the nice goodies off the 9 for the 102A3.  A guy in Kansas decided he wanted my old unit and so I sold it to him (actually kinda tried to talk him out of it first) and because I had never really had any real problems with this 9 and I am retired anyway I told him I would bring it to him for the cost of fuel and a plane ticket back.  Unfortunately, it has not been as smooth a trip as I had envisioned    As always, no good deed goes unpunished LOL.

Looks like Fleet Services does have a shop here in Williams and I am talking with them trying to get this taken care of first thing in the morning so I can hit the road again.

[buswarrior]

Did it at least turn?

Get some starting fluid, dose it in the cap on the horn and give it a spin.

And don't shut it off again until you get it delivered.

You don't want diagnosis and repair, you want start and delivery.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[lvmci]

How about the water level in your batteries, that's what the issue was with mine this summer, evaporation, since putting in distilled water to its proper level everything was good, lvmci..

[edvanland]

Geoff phone number is 928-771-0045 or 928-533-4714
ED

[plyonsMC9]

Mike, I came across this thread - how did it turn out?  e.g., how did you get the bus started?

Kind Regards, Phil