4905 Driver's Controls

[brianhetzer@me.com]

Forgive my ignorance on such a simple matter, but I haven't been able to find answers on the interwebs and I don't have my maintenance manual yet. First question, are the headlights controlled by the toggle at the top of the panel to the right of the wheel? Either I have an electrical issue or I haven't flipped the right switch, can't get the headlights to turn on.

Next, what's the knob on the face of the electrical panel just to the left of driver's left leg?

Last (for now), on the floor near driver's left foot, is that the horn? Hi beams?

Thanks!

Brian

[LuckyChow]

1.  Yes
2.  I can't remember this one
3. The one on the left that looks like a dimmer switch is a dimmer switch. The one on the left in the rear most position is an air horn.

[buswarrior]

2 - dimmer rheostat for dash back lighting?

ditto on the air horn button to the rear of the high beam dimmer switch.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[RJ]

Brian -

#1 - Headlamps and clearance lamps.  The NHTSA regs that went into effect in 1977 required that the clearance lights be on whenever the headlights were on.  Previously there were separate switches for both.  IIRC, the center position is off.  Flip it left, clearance lights only.  Flip it right, headlights and clearance lights together.

#2 - Rheostat dimmer for side panel and dashboard lighting.

#3 - Headlight hi/low dimmer switch.  If you're having headlight issues, this could be the culprit.

As mentioned, button is for the air horn.

Because your coach was ordered for "high end" commuter transit service, you have floor-mounted turn signals. The majority of 4905s had a traditional turn signal stalk on the side of the steering column.  At least that gives your left foot something to do in traffic! 

FWIW & HTH. . .

[brianhetzer@me.com]

Thanks all. I spoke with a previous owner today who sold it to the person I bought the bus from. He did part of the conversion and confirmed that the headlights had been converted to 12v. So I've got a few places to check with the multimeter tomorrow.

Unfortunately someone relocated the turn signals to an aftermarket stalk on the steering column. I plan to figure out rewiring the floor switches.

Appreciate the input!

[RJ]

He did part of the conversion and confirmed that the headlights had been converted to 12v.

Brian -

IIRC, 4905s had 12v headlamps OEM from the factory, even tho the rest of the coach was 24v.  I believe they used a huge resistor located on a bus bar in the tool compartment underneath the driver mounted above the headlight bucket to drop the voltage.

If you have a electrical schematic, that will help you tremendously to chase down the circuits.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[Charles Seaton]

A Liberty Lines 4905, owned by NYC and operated by Liberty Lines.  I haven't seen one of those in years!  Great way to travel between the Bronx and Manhattan.

- Seaton

[brianhetzer@me.com]

Well we're keeping this one alive. Should have it renovated and on the road again this fall. Still not sure what I'm going to do about the transit doors but over the summer I'll be gutting, insulating, and building a home in it for my wife, son, and I. Bought it partially and very roughly converted but it runs like a top. It certainly has made me realize how much I under appreciated NYC bus drivers in the past. As much as I'd love to take her for a trip to the city and camp at Floyd Bennett I'm not sure I'm up to the task!

[pabusnut]

A word of caution:

You might want to re-build the air horn button located South Southwest of the dimmer switch.  The first time I used mine, it got stuck and blared through the whole neighborhood for about 5 minutes until it ran out of air!  (I also realized that shutting off the engine might help as well as multiple brake applications after 2 minutes)  It was stuck so bad I couldn't even get under it to pull it up!

Your neighbors may appreciate this tip!