Before I drill-------

oltrunt · April 15, 2015, 06:01:15 PM

I want to place a 1 1/2" drain for the bathroom sink right dead center in the Isle floor above the rear bay of my MCI 9. I pulled the inspection panel off the trough that runs fore to aft through the center of all the bays. I found neatly bundled copper pipes, a large wiring loom and the A/C/heater hoses nicely out of the way. What I did not expect to see was a false ceiling in the trough. Although I haven't found a cross sectional view of the bus, I did read that there is an air return duct above the false ceiling. If I drill through the floor and the false ceiling am I likely to have any unpleasant surprises assuming I don"t drill through any of the copper lines or the wiring loom? Thanks Jack

Scott & Heather · April 15, 2015, 06:49:03 PM

No one has responded to this, so I'll say this:

We converted our 9 from the ground up. Tore it down to the skeleton...and yeah, you cannot (I repeat) cannot drill through the center of the floor. Air lines, wiring harnesses, transmission shift cable, throttle cable all run through there. Don't do it...I promise you, if you do, you'll hate yourself forever.

this response was a bit rash, but indeed, I stand behind my overzealous caution. Accidentally cutting, maiming, other otherwise injuring your wiring loom, air lines, or throttle/trans cables would make anyone want to commit suicide, so I feel like I'm saving lives

gumpy · April 15, 2015, 06:56:30 PM

You can probably find some deconstruction photos of that area on my website. Look under the structural pages.

bus.gumpydog.com

oltrunt · April 15, 2015, 08:33:09 PM

Thanks gumpy. Your pictures were enlightening. I really like your new duct that runs up the wall. Unfortunately, I didn't find a pic specifically showing the center floor section.

Scott, by chance do you have a picture of your floor in the skeletal stage? Such a picture would be real helpful to my understanding the air return ducting that came with the bus. Thanks, Jack

Lostranger · April 16, 2015, 02:41:32 AM

Hey Jack,

When do we get a Nomadicista thread on this build? I'd love to be watching what you're doing, and I certainly need the inspiration.

Jim

Scott & Heather · April 16, 2015, 06:12:59 AM

Hi Jack,

Ok, I lied. I think you're on the right track. I was quick to raise the red flag of caution because I did cut through the center floor area of our coach and cut a copper air line, so I wanted to save you that drama. In fact, here's a photo of my friend fixing it:

That being said, if you are drilling at a spot where the air lines and wiring looms appear to be out of your way, the false floor you see has nothing above it but air space. Here are photos to confirm what you already know from my conversion:

luvrbus · April 16, 2015, 06:31:21 AM

A 100 buck Extech bore camera is your best friend Jack before you drill but you won't always like what you see in the ducts and surrounding areas

oltrunt · April 16, 2015, 08:34:33 AM

Thank you all and it looks like a go! What a handy little trough that will turn out to be!

Jim, I'll get some pics up on Nomadicista just as soon as Honeysuckle Rose gets her nose back in joint. See you there soon. Jack

TomC · April 16, 2015, 03:18:37 PM

Much easier if you just run the drain pipe to the side a bit away from the center. My 45gal toilet tank is mounted fore and aft right in the center with my toilet against my right wall. It has about a 4ft run to the black tank. Just have to make sure to flush with enough water. If I don't have trouble with an offset toilet, you shouldn't have any problems with an offset drain on the sink. Good Luck, TomC

oltrunt · April 16, 2015, 06:21:07 PM

Good point Tom. If I ran the drain at an angle into the 3' wide partition wall and then down I think I'd miss the entire center trough--can't wait to go check it out tomorrow. Thanks, Jack

dbldragon · April 18, 2015, 01:00:52 AM

I looked at going through that part of the floor for my shower drain and then thought against it . My family is short enough that I got away with running the drain straight under shower to the outside of the air duct before going through the floor.As my bathroom is near the rear separating the 2 bedrooms ,I also had to move it slightly forward to keep it out of the wheel well. My toilet is on outside wall and drops straight into black tank ,grey tank is inside of that with fresh on curb side .
Hope to have the water lines run next week .