Bus Conversion: Countdown: 148 Days

[buddydawg]

I was doing some figuring this morning and realized that I had only 148 days left until I need to have the bus conversion to the point I can use it.  I'm not talking about Aluma/Steel Tenting either.  I need to have a functioning toilet, bed room, A/C, electrical system etc...   

Now I have already procured a host of materials: Generator, Flooring, Wood for Cabinets, Material for Black Tank, Battery Bank, and so forth

I'm still in need for things like: Inverter, Appliances, Birch Plywood, A/Cs etc.

I know I can get it done but it just hit me this morning that I need to get busy!  The good thing is the days are getting warmer & longer and I have a few weeks of leave I can take between now and then.  The bad thing is I tend to spend too much time on the little details.  I need to find some balance.

So be prepared for the bombardment of questions that are sure to arise over the next 5 months! (especially electrical which is my weakest area)

[Melbo]

I remember my big push to get ready to take it on the road last year.

Take a couple of short trips just overnite to be sure all the systems work before you hit the road for the big one.

Just our way of checking things out.

Good Luck getting it done in time

Melbo

[Tenor]

I've been doing the same thing.  I got my bus in September, but Michigan had a really bad winter.  I got most of the chassis issues licked before winter set in.  I bought most of the things I needed during the winter and now it's sawdust time!  I have a good deal of framing done and I'll have the drains/tanks done by this weekend.  Then freshwater plumbing.  I picked up a 1995 travel trailer that I am gutting for appliances, lights, and also snagged the kitchen cabinet/sink to speed up getting the bus useable.  It's in with screws so it'll come out easy.  All I'll have to do is build the right design and extend the plumbing.  Sure will save time!  Although I have a Xantrex 4024, I may just grab the converter from the trailer for a quick power source for lights and heat.  Keep us posted!

Glenn

[buddydawg]

I have aquired alot of things for the conversion since I bought the bus last June.  Much of it has been for free or through trades.  I got a whole kitchens worth of Corian from a remodel job, made a good trade for a generator and I bought many other things on clearance and such.  Some of it was not exactly what I wanted but a good deal can often change you mind.  I have found that if you are patient you can find some awesome bargains but you have to be ready to move on them.  I have got to go to Ft. Campbell, KY next week so when I get back I will be in full swing.

[TomC]

On electrical- I used Square D boxes and circuit breakers straight from Home Depot-since HD is all over the country, and we did have a main go out recently.  I used stranded 14 gauge wire pulled through light weight water tight conduit (again purchased at HD), then if on the rare occasion that a wire fails, you can just pull it out and feed in the new wires.  It has worked well for me. 
I have three circuit breaker boxes.  First has 4-50amp breakers.  2-50's for the generator, and 2-50's for land line, although I only use one of the 50 amp breakers since I'm wired for straight 120vac and do not have the circuits split into service sides-with a sheet metal slider that only allows either generator or land line service to be used at a time.  The second breaker box is the land line/generator service for the three A/C's, the first water heater and all other non inverter operated items-like the reefer, freezer, washer/dryer. In this breaker box is also a 30amp breaker that goes through the inverter (Trace 2512 modified sine wave inverter w/ up to 130amp battery charging) then to the third breaker box that has the inverter operated items.  These are- the second water heater, microwave and toaster oven, wall heater in the bathroom, 2 plugs in the kitchen, front and rear plugs for TV and stereo, exterior plugs, ice maker.  I use the inverter only for resistance loads, and leave the high consumers-like the 3 roof A/C's to the generator or land line.  Thought you might like to see one kind of service.  Good Luck, TomC