setra S215HDH

[mmeteng]

I bought a 1989 S215HDH
and am in the process of a 3 phase conversion
1st phase is to do the bare minimum to register it as an RV - in state of Oregon it had to have a bathroom, sleeping area, and a working kitchen (cooking appliance)
- removed all but 4 benches
- installed temp kitchen (pulled entire kitchen from wrecked travel trailer), had a horizontal propane tank re-certified for the stove/oven and tested it to see it all worked.
- Already had a bathroom in the rear (plan on keeping it there)
- got a twin day bed off of craigslist and put it in the rear of the bus.
- Drove to DMV took them 2 minutes to certify it as an RV,
2nd phase is to make it usable to move family (5 small dogs, 6 cats, 3 humans)
- built 9ft x 3ft cat cage (modular so it can be removed and reused)
- arranged two benches for dinette across from kitchen
- arranged two benches for sitting up front while driving
- changed out day bed for custom built twin bed frame near rear of buss
- added wardrobe closet (free from craigslist)
- added entertainment center modified for kitchen storage (free from friend)
- added storage bench that triples as a couch and bed in front area of bus (furniture from home i built 13 years ago)
- added 55 gal hdpe drums for potable water (2 blue), gray water (clear), black water (black)
- added 55 gal metal drum for additional fuel storage (empty now but will need for phase three conversion)
- acquired 2 170w 24-42v solar panels (free from craigslist - tested on cloudy day produce full 42v power)
- added spin washer (free from craigslist (was new))
3rd phase is to make a very fancy eco friendly bus -
- planning on converting everything to run off of diesel fuel
- working on the cad modeling and gathering ideas
- plan on it being Father / Son project - with my brother's help
Problems With the bus upon purchase
- no repair manual - looking for one
- no parts manual - looking for one
- missing wabasto heater - not sure of the solution here
- fuel gauge not working - need to figure out how to trouble shoot [was a plus because seller thought it was empty of fuel / when i got to pump discovered it was full  ]
- badly copied drivers manual
- some small leaks in rubber gaskets
- cargo bay door locks sticking
- need new floors in cargo bays
- seems the tag steering axle was disabled or replaced
Future Plans (so far)
- keeping counters below existing windows
- removing luggage racks
- installing false floor in aisle
- leaving bath in rear (changing toilet and sink to modern style)
- adding shower and changing room to bath (also laundry room)
- more to come


Any help suggestions - GREATLY APPRECIATED (thanks Wayne for the help you have provided)

[chessie4905]

You say it need new floors in cargo bays. What is the issue with existing ones?

[mmeteng]

they are laminated wood floors and are beginning to seperate at the edges, not a big issue but when i work on phase three i am thinking of replacing with Aluminum Honeycomb panels similar to Portafab's Treadplate Aluminum Panels (Structural aluminum panels featuring a stainless steel treadplate face for applications requiring a walkable ceiling plank.)

[Jim Blackwood]

That sounds like high dollar material?

Jim

[luvrbus]

You could try Arrow Stage Lines in Phoenix talk to the shop foreman they may have some manuals and parts for the tag axle it is worth a call they still have a couple of those running or did a couple of years back

[mmeteng]

will check with arrow - thanks for the tip

[mmeteng]

Anybody know how to trouble shoot the fuel gauge/sending unit - the gauge reads empty no mater how much fuel is in it.
1989 Setra S215HDH

[mmeteng]

regarding cargo bay floors my brother has an idea then we can pull them out clean up edges then wrap with carbon fiber or fiberglass, which gave me the idea of using garage floor epoxy paint so i can color match

[richard5933]

Anybody know how to trouble shoot the fuel gauge/sending unit - the gauge reads empty no mater how much fuel is in it.
1989 Setra S215HDH

Loose ground?

Bad connection on sending unit wire?

[chessie4905]

Carbon fiber..aluminum honeycomb.. seriously?

[luvrbus]

More than likely the float is rusted in place and not moving or fell off,I think the Setra has the float inside a round tube on a twisty slide like a Eagle