Temporary Generator for Skinny Conversion

[buswarrior]

So what can I do to get two rooms rolling down the road?

I need to roll with 2 rooms.  Can't be a trailer because the dogs can't ride in the trailer. We can't travel in a van any longer.

Have you played with the idea of a box truck? Straight sides, 5 ton chassis, 26 foot box is common, maintenance items are common and lots of truck techs can work on it. A side door with steps can be fabricated, just like the side door in an RV. Build it up inside like house construction, stud it, spray foam it, build walls. Pay close attention to roof construction, you don't wan a plastic.fibreglass roof for this purpose. And more ceiling space than a schoolie?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[buswarrior]

Same as the utility company trucks, everything fits inside the exterior dimensions, a recessed grill area for the window AC of your choice, a similar recessed area for mounting the generator of your choice, some sound insulation on the interior panels of that "cube in the corner"

You are not confined/limited to the paltry space available in a motorcoach's baggage bays, since you are designing the space to your own liking.

Also, a box truck is far less conspicuous for the covert "urban camper" than a motorcoach or schoolie ever would be. Have the local graffiti artists paint it up ahead of time, you can vanish into the urban landscape?

Spirits up, there's a way to crack this nut.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[k9disc]

"cheap, reliable generator"  you and every other person are after the same mythical thing, and the risks are larger for you.

Who sells a good generator? Those get put on the shelf for a rainy day...

What happens when you have power failure, and some do-gooder calls the local SPCA?

Run with the BIG DOGS, or stay on the porch?

If you buy the right generator from the start, it goes with you, and you move on to the hundred other things that need done.

Buy a crap one, you will keep going back, over and over.

Dig deep, install something properly from Wrico, (or another reputable vendor of your liking), and it is finished, done, case closed, no more mental activity required, no more anguish, move forward.

You cannot afford the time, both physical and mental, or funds to lose and have to go back again and again.

Failure has huge costs that are not only measured in dollars, to having unreliable power, emotional, initiative decay, partner failure and distraction from your core business, which is NOT the coach. The typical busnut is mission focused on the coach; we have nothing else to think about. You, however, are using this coach as a tool to another end. Completely different circumstance and thinking required.

Who is thinking enthusiastically about the next revenue stream, if your mind is wrapped up in the negativity of equipment failure?

Desperation does not make for good decisions?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Oh, do I feel you there. That's our life already.

And I hear what you are saying, for sure. I want to be simple and efficient. It might be just a better idea to rely on shore power until the right genset comes up.

But then we risk a breakdown in the heat with no AC... This is why I was talking about a "temporary generator", something that we don't rely on, but have in the back pocket. I thought a 5 or 7Kw diesel could be rather easily plumbed (fuel & electric) and used if necessary. If I took a $500 hit to have that back up for a year I think it would be worth it.

Maybe we just don't plan to move it purposefully until we can get the genny squared away. It really is mission critical stuff for us, and I do not want to skimp.

[bevans6]

My temporary/full time generator is a Yamaha 3000iSEB.  It does double duty as my house backup generator in the winter.  In the bus, it rides along in the old air conditioner bay.  When I stop, I open the door, angle the generator out so the back end is in open air and it runs happily for any length of time, doesn't over heat, can't be heard from inside the house, and runs anything on the bus at the same time.  I have a small microwave and a 15K air conditioner (one only).  It won't run two air conditioners, but for temporary use, I can't imagine a better, more cost effective solution.  You could find one used, or look at it's equivalent Honda or china import brand equivalents.  I don't run it while driving because I have an inverter powered from the alternator for that.

[Zephod]

The idea of a box truck has many merits. I considered one but went for a schoolbus based on lower mileage.

Certainly with a box truck, it's easy to paint white (to reflect heat) and easier to install 4 inches of gap free insulation. Building it that way, you could install a house air conditioner unit and a generator plus plenty roof space for solar.

My question though is since you can clearly find somewhere to park a bus, why you can't just plug it in to a power supply.


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[windtrader]

It might be just a better idea to rely on shore power until the right genset comes up.

I was following along until I read this comment. Isn't it essential that the vehicle have A/C available at any time? How will you ever transport the dogs when it is hot outside without A/C? You made the comment that cooling is mission critical, so how can you make a generator optional?

Anyway, I'm new too and listened very well to all the comments made by the very knowledgeable folks here. There are a hundred ways to die and very few ways to live and even fewer ways to always have a smile as you float on down the road with a flawless coach.

The market now, and this I KNOW, is heavily biased toward buyers. There are amazing deals to be had. There are lots of ads posted by folks with various motivations for selling. Most all are overly optimistic and set a price based on other ads. They struggle adding up what they have spent on their bus and now find they can get only pennies on the dollar. They are compelled to list high. Only after much pain and suffering do they realize what they will receive is far less than the other ads and far below their bottom bottom, no lower than price. I assure you what buses actually sell for is different than what is being asked.

OK, the point is find a bus that has the basic A/C, plumbing, and wiring already installed and working. It may likely be already converted but may be partially converted. You may find you need to remove stuff to make room for the kennels. I assure you this is cheaper and quicker than trying to build one up.

If you are seriously tight on cash and time, then you have to think through a build up approach. If you need parts quickly you are going to be paying up. The more time you have the more time to scout a real deal. Now, times that for all the parts you are sourcing and you will be sitting for a long time accumulating good value parts on the cheap.

The other factor is the current market offers the best value on the most converted, best shape coaches. The more invested the more the seller is taking it in the butt. Buying a coach in the very best shape means far fewer checks to fix up stuff. Naturally, PM is ongoing.

You also have a ready to roll solution. It will take a lot of effort to find a good one. I always kept reminding myself when getting frustrated and wanting to quit looking that any and every hour spent researching and looking was far better spent than on the other side of the transaction. Personally, I much rather enjoy an hour on the computer than getting all greasy and banged up underneath a coach.

[k9disc]

I was following along until I read this comment. Isn't it essential that the vehicle have A/C available at any time? How will you ever transport the dogs when it is hot outside without A/C? You made the comment that cooling is mission critical, so how can you make a generator optional?

OK, the point is find a bus that has the basic A/C, plumbing, and wiring already installed and working. It may likely be already converted but may be partially converted. You may find you need to remove stuff to make room for the kennels. I assure you this is cheaper and quicker than trying to build one up.

Because I can't afford the "final" one. And because we have a sprinter that will transport the dogs coolly until I can get generator to a par. Guess I just can't hang in this conversation.

You know, it's really interesting... Drivetrain, drivetrain, drivetrain... But no, no, no, it's coach coach coach. I could buy a 60 something coach, but then I'd be buying a rustbucket with no parts.

Think I'll stop talking and start lurking again.

Not sure I get what's happening here.

[Geoff]

What's happening here is your imagination is larger than your pocketbook.

-- Geoff

[kyle4501]

Not sure I get what's happening here.

The way I see it is that some here aren't interested in blowing sunshine up your . . . . . .

Some of us have been there & done that and would like to share their thoughts & opinions so others can benefir without the expense.

My coach is in excellent condition, yet it is easy to spend $$$$ on it. Maintenance in the driveway is ALWAYS cheaper than emergency roadside bandaids.

So, keep plugging away & posting. Lots of good food for thought.

If it is any consolation, most of us here didn't (still don't) like all of the replies we got (get).  But, they do provoke deeper consideration of other options.

Do what you gotta do . . . .

[DoubleEagle]

Well, now that we have slashed into your dreams of cruising with 12 happy dogs (and many more frisbee's), let's consider your options. If you are obligated to buy this bus and it runs down the road safely as is, and the coach A/C works properly, and it has power steering and an Allison automatic, decent tires that are not too old, and a Series 50 that is not about to require new balancing shafts, that is not such a bad deal for $7500.

You need to take out enough seats to house the dog cages and install sleeping quarters for you - an air mattress or cots will suffice. If the coach rest room is operational, that is your bathroom, otherwise get a port-a-potty. When parked you need at least one roof A/C that could be installed in one of the emergency roof exits. Save time with the wiring by running it in conduit on the surface of the ceiling and walls; bury it in the walls later when you have time. You need sufficient breaker boxes and wiring to be able to plug in to a land line, a 30 Amp connection or even 20 Amp will be enough for one A/C. You have to be aware that the wiring in a coach can not be done the same way as in a house, the ground wires can not be on the same bus bar that the neutrals are. There are many articles on this in past issues of Bus Conversion Magazine and on this board. Become knowledgeable about this detail to avoid electrocution.

You will need water tanks for the dogs that will fit in the door or your the emergency side windows. Check out farm supply or RV supply stores for what they have in plastic tanks. If you need privacy, you could rig up shower-style curtains on spring-bars. There, you are ready to hit the road, minus a generator, because either the coach is running, or it is plugged in where you park as a guest. If the A/C should fail or get weak, be prepared to open the emergency windows and roof hatches, and have a way to secure them open a few inches so the air can come in without the windows flapping in the breeze. If you have time to get fancy, you could get camping style portable sinks and cooking stoves, and LED lanterns so you don't draw down your starting batteries.

If you can swing a generator big enough to run the one A/C, consider a portable one that could be stored in the bay so that it could be lifted out and run outside the coach so that the exhaust fumes are not collecting in the coach. Carbon monoxide is an equal opportunity killer, your future permanent one needs to have the exhaust out and away from the coach. If you have a gasoline powered one, be sure to have a gas line shutoff after the tank in case the needle valve in the carburetor fails to seal because of all the vibration and ethanol-laced gas it has to endure. You do not want gallons of gasoline leaking in your baggage bay on a hot day. Speaking of hot, you should paint or coat the roof white at your earliest opportunity.

That is a bare-bones solution that you can afford that will give you more room for your dogs. Except for the stark black and white appearance on the outside, no one on the outside will know what it looks like on the inside. If you want even more privacy and less heat gain through the windows, get some celotex (or whatever brand) insulation boards in 1/2" or 3/4" thickness, paint one side black, and fit them into the window areas for any windows you don't plan to open. On the outside it will look like you have dark privacy tint windows. When you drive down the highway, just pretend that the coach behind you is fully completed. Most of us do not really have a coach that is truly finished.  

[eagle19952]

I Like where you're going with that... Can that run 3 roof ACs?

We're going to have a lot of bodies in the coach.

no

[Zephod]

Well, now that we have slashed into your dreams of cruising with 12 happy dogs (and many more frisbee's), let's consider your options. If you are obligated to buy this bus and it runs down the road safely as is, and the coach A/C works properly, and it has power steering and an Allison automatic, decent tires that are not too old, and a Series 50 that is not about to require new balancing shafts, that is not such a bad deal for $7500.

You need to take out enough seats to house the dog cages and install sleeping quarters for you - an air mattress or cots will suffice. If the coach rest room is operational, that is your bathroom, otherwise get a port-a-potty. When parked you need at least one roof A/C that could be installed in one of the emergency roof exits. Save time with the wiring by running it in conduit on the surface of the ceiling and walls; bury it in the walls later when you have time. You need sufficient breaker boxes and wiring to be able to plug in to a land line, a 30 Amp connection or even 20 Amp will be enough for one A/C. You have to be aware that the wiring in a coach can not be done the same way as in a house, the ground wires can not be on the same bus bar that the neutrals are. There are many articles on this in past issues of Bus Conversion Magazine and on this board. Become knowledgeable about this detail to avoid electrocution.

You will need water tanks for the dogs that will fit in the door or your the emergency side windows. Check out farm supply or RV supply stores for what they have in plastic tanks. If you need privacy, you could rig up shower-style curtains on spring-bars. There, you are ready to hit the road, minus a generator, because either the coach is running, or it is plugged in where you park as a guest. If the A/C should fail or get weak, be prepared to open the emergency windows and roof hatches, and have a way to secure them open a few inches so the air can come in without the windows flapping in the breeze. If you have time to get fancy, you could get camping style portable sinks and cooking stoves, and LED lanterns so you don't draw down your starting batteries.

If you can swing a generator big enough to run the one A/C, consider a portable one that could be stored in the bay so that it could be lifted out and run outside the coach so that the exhaust fumes are not collecting in the coach. Carbon monoxide is an equal opportunity killer, your future permanent one needs to have the exhaust out and away from the coach. If you have a gasoline powered one, be sure to have a gas line shutoff after the tank in case the needle valve in the carburetor fails to seal because of all the vibration and ethanol-laced gas it has to endure. You do not want gallons of gasoline leaking in your baggage bay on a hot day. Speaking of hot, you should paint or coat the roof white at your earliest opportunity.

That is a bare-bones solution that you can afford that will give you more room for your dogs. Except for the stark black and white appearance on the outside, no one on the outside will know what it looks like on the inside. If you want even more privacy and less heat gain through the windows, get some celotex (or whatever brand) insulation boards in 1/2" or 3/4" thickness, paint one side black, and fit them into the window areas for any windows you don't plan to open. On the outside it will look like you have dark privacy tint windows. When you drive down the highway, just pretend that the coach behind you is fully completed. Most of us do not really have a coach that is truly finished.  

Completed? What's that? My plans and ideas change as I go along.


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[Zephod]

Oh, do I feel you there. That's our life already.

And I hear what you are saying, for sure. I want to be simple and efficient. It might be just a better idea to rely on shore power until the right genset comes up.

But then we risk a breakdown in the heat with no AC... This is why I was talking about a "temporary generator", something that we don't rely on, but have in the back pocket. I thought a 5 or 7Kw diesel could be rather easily plumbed (fuel & electric) and used if necessary. If I took a $500 hit to have that back up for a year I think it would be worth it.

Maybe we just don't plan to move it purposefully until we can get the genny squared away. It really is mission critical stuff for us, and I do not want to skimp.

Aha... Shore power. This is what I have as my power solution. For boondocking, life is a bit less cozy but livable.

As a temporary solution, you really can't go much wrong with a Harbor Freight generator. Get the warranty and if it goes phut, the nearest Harbor Freight can exchange it.
7kw for $600 or 11kw for $1200. Well under your budget!


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[Oonrahnjay]

... 7kw for $600 or 11kw for $1200. Well under your budget! 

     Those are "industrial/construction" generators (the kind with the metal frame around them).  They're designed to run at high RPM, they have little or no sound reduction -- I mean LOUD -- they make lots of heat, they have high fuel consumption for the amount of electrical power, and they're terribly unreliable.  I'm not sure that they accommodate hard-wiring into a vehicle system.  IMO, buying something like that is putting yourself into a world of woe.  Some people on this forum have tried those, with very poor results.

[luvrbus]

     Those are "industrial/construction" generators (the kind with the metal frame around them).  They're designed to run at high RPM, they have little or no sound reduction -- I mean LOUD -- they make lots of heat, they have high fuel consumption for the amount of electrical power, and they're terribly unreliable.  I'm not sure that they accommodate hard-wiring into a vehicle system.  IMO, buying something like that is putting yourself into a world of woe.  Some people on this forum have tried those, with very poor results.

H/F generators are Junk  for his temporary use I still believe the (used) ONAN 1800 rpm RV generator is his best bet for price and dependability