Storage Bay Weight limits

[RJ]

SolarDude (NAME???) -

When you pulled the HVAC components out, did you keep the lines going to the defroster up front connected??  Hope so!   

I see where you're going with mounting the inverter, etc. in the old HVAC compartment, not a bad idea - except if you don't leave easy access to them, you'll cuss yourself later!

As for pressurizing them, if you're supplying air downward from the interior's HVAC ducting, it shouldn't be a problem if you leave the OEM venting on the side of the coach that already supplies fresh air to that compartment for relieving the pressure. Or simply cut a couple holes in the floor, screened & baffled (underneath).

Suggest you keep the auto transfer switch in the generator compartment for really easy access in case of a problem.

Codes for RVs state that the hookups for shore power, fresh water and sewage need to be at the left rear portion of the coach.  Most bus folk use the rear bay for these.  You'll have some electrical runs to the front, but that's also common.  Just be sure to use appropriately sized cabling.

For reference (and additional thought processing), my 8kW genset, 100 gallon fresh & 100 gallon grey/black tank are all in the rear bay of my MCI MC-5C, which, btw, is smaller than yours.  The genset is separated from the tanks by a wall that was constructed by the converter (it's an Angola Coach from a new shell.)  Inside the genset compartment is the auto transfer switch plus a 50-amp buddy plug.  The electrical shore connection is on the side of the coach immediately behind the baggage bay door in the panel just in front of the drive axle, as is the fresh water hookup.  The dump valve for the grey/black tank is also in this compartment, just inside the baggage bay door on the right.  Oh, and the genset compartment is also lined with sound deadening material.

Since my coach was converted in 1978, the electrical system is not "current" (oooo. . . bad pun?!)  I have two deep-cycle AGM 8D batteries, plus a Group 31 battery (genset start) in the front bay, with a charger and Vanner equalizer.  Since I only have two bays, this takes up a lot of valuable space.  I also like to use the coach in the winter, so the OEM heater core is still in place, with no plans to remove it.  However, the OEM A/C compressor has been removed from the engine compartment, so that's not functional, but they left all the components in the old condenser area behind the left front wheel.  With two new 15K BTU roof airs, there's plenty of cooling for a 35-foot coach, so I'm going to pull and recycle all that OEM A/C hardware.  I would love to move my genset up there, but unfortunately it's too big to fit, however there is room to move the batteries into the area, and even double-stack them for increased capacity.  I'm also planning on picking up a Magnum inverter, which I'll mount inside the baggage compartment on the adjacent wall to the batteries.  I have to measure, but I think there might actually be room to mount it overhead, without interfering with the door pully/cabling mechanism.  Mounting the inverter on the bay wall also allows room for a solar controller, which is on the wish list. . .

Finally, so that we can better help you, could you take a couple minutes to update your signature line to something similar to mine below?  A first name, home-based city/state and coach make & model will go a long way towards giving you intelligent answers to your questions, as well as suggesting nearby vendors, if needed.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[bandsaw]

Hello, I am in the process of converting a Prevost H3-41.  I called and asked the conversion shell factory rep the weight limits for conversion. He said the limit is 1,000 lbs per bay.  I was originally going to put the generator in the same bay as the water tanks. After the spec was provided I moved the generator to the front bay. 

Bandsaw.

[solardude]

"When you pulled the HVAC components out, did you keep the lines going to the defroster up front connected??"

Absolutely! That is a huge windshield, I would think it takes a lot of heat to keep it clear. I even took the old heater core lines and plumbed them into valves to someday be connected to coach heating.

On that note, something funny I learned when I took out the OEM AC. The OEM AC is approximately 300,000BTU according to Courier, that is enough cooling to THREE single family homes!! I don't know about you guys, but that made me laugh.

SolarDude

[solardude]

RJ Thanks for all the info, it really helps knowing what others have done, I'm not a big fan of reinventing.

You mentioned that you were thinking about if space allowed mounting the inverter overhead, I would of loved to fill that space with electronics as I'm running low on bulkhead space, however as you will probably find that most components are designed to be mounted in the vertical position in order to properly vent and cool. You may overheat if the manufacturer does not specifically prohibit overhead mounting.

SolarDude

[HB of CJ]

Looking beyond storage bay weight limits, perhaps another way might be to determine the overall relationship of total coach dynamics.  Otherwise meaning how will everything fit and work together. Balance.

An example may be if a Crown Supercoach 40 foot 10 wheeler has only a 34,000 pound tandem capacity due to very light springs, but also has a 16,000 pound front axle capacity, what does that mean?

Could I have taken advantage of such capacities and simply piled on the weight?  No.  It still means the relationship of front and rear road weight must complement each other.  No overload at only one axle.

Yep ... spend some driving time and have some fun and go get that Bus Conversion weighed.  Every wheel.  Front and back.  Each axle end also.  Write them down.  Then come up with a planned curb weight.

Then sort that by your axle capacity giving a proper safe relationship between each axle and each axle end.  Ideally you should come up within just a few hundred pounds from the perfect complement.

Also do not forget the tire and wheel capacities.  It all should be considered.  My Crown had a heavy 16K front axle, but only had HD Budd 2 hole steel wheels and 7070 pound capacity 12Rx22.5 tires.

I could not have exploited that 16K front axle.  Would have run out of wheel and tire capacity way before that.  My feeble point is that right now you can do the planning to come up with good solutions.

How good?  With good prior planning and a very high expectancy, perhaps a very good distribution.  Not perfect by any means.  Do not forget people moving around and future planned additions.

[RJ]

Jeff -

I'm seriously considering the Magnum Hybrid MSH4024RE inverter for my coach.  Several of my busnut friends have this unit, and are very, very pleased with it.

On page 9 of the Owner's Manual, it shows the unit being mounted upside down as an approved position, so if I've got the space, I'll probably go that route.  I'll just have to be careful that I don't bang my forehead on it while poking around in the bin!

http://pdf.wholesalesolar.com/inverter%20pdf%20folder/MSH-RE_manual.pdf?_ga=1.65328942.1692839094.1443506710

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Oonrahnjay]

Jeff -

I'm seriously considering the Magnum Hybrid MSH4024RE inverter for my coach.  ...

     Hi, RJ.  I have been looking at that inverter, too.  I let "someone who knows everything" sell me an Outback of slightly smaller capacity.  In many ways, the Outback works very well but it's "load-switching" instead of "load-sharing" and I have found that to be a major inconvenience when dealing with places with restricted amp-capacity shore power.
     The Magnum looks great -- please keep us updated on how it works for you!

[LuckyChow]

When my old Prosine goes out, the Magnum Hybrid will be my next inverter.  It's got everything you could possibly need.  One of the things I haven't heard a comment on is how noisy are the fans. 

[luvrbus]

Magnum is the old Trace Co inverter and employees they invented the load sharing back in late 80's and still the best inverter ever made   

[solardude]

RJ that looks like a very nice inverter, it is very much like the one I have. The power assist feature is awesome. I really like the idea of setting a max current draw and then supplement from the batteries. My entire setup is Victron Energy http://victronenergy.com Mostly because I've used them in marine applications where they are very popular and I'm familiar with programming their systems.
As luverbus said Magnum is whats left of Trace Engineering after the breakup, very smart guys.

SolarDude

[sledhead]

my old inverter is a prosine 2000 watt   http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Prosine-Inverter-Charger-Interface/dp/B000FHQKGQ

worked great but no power sharing and was only 12 volt

I rebuilt my battery bank to 24 volt and upgraded to the magnum 4024 htbrid    amazing !!!

the old xantrex was a lot loader then the new magnum when the fans are on

dave