Temporary Generator for Skinny Conversion

[k9disc]

Thanks guys... Double Eagle, that's the plan, almost to a T. Thanks for the direct heads up on the electrical... I passed it on to my electrician who will be wiring the bus.

I'm leaning towards an 1800 diesel genny, too.

I will be in MI with connections to mechanical, motor, and carpentry people (my home - where I grew up) or will be in St Louis where I've got diesel, motorcycle, and gas mechanics coming out of my ears. I would like to plumb the fuel and electric, and hook it up, planning for a more permanent solution (coach controls, large inverter, and new / low hours/well serviced) when we have things a bit more together and have some experience. It should not be too hard with my motorhead and construction connections to find something that will work.

Or am I wrong about that?

I'm thinking a 5-10kW genny, probably only going to be able to afford a 5 or 7kW rig, which is fine for now.

As far as the conversion goes, and living spartan...
I don't really care if it's ever "completed" neither does my girlfriend. We've been living on the road with a $#!% ton of dogs in a sprinter. One sleeps in the coffin on the floor (tiny space between crates) one in the twin bed in the back. We are fine with coach deprecation and are planning on it not being worth what we put into it when we're done.

The whole reason we don't have a larger budget is because we rent our factory space in the ghetto. It's an amazing space, and great to have a home, but that nut on top of living on the road means we're always just above water. We've been here 2 months out of the last 2 years. Eliminate that monthly cost, and we're doing pretty alright.

We also need to lug around a welding shop -- my GF is a metal sculptor. We'll be rolling with a plasma torch and welder. Our permanent generator will be selected in order to run that gear. It will also power outdoor show. 

This stuff is not a priority at this time, and it far exceeds our budget.

The only priority is keeping the bus cool and making sure that it stays running and is easy to service. I think that the 4 stroke 50 series motor is a good choice for that.

If that is wrong, please tell me.

[windtrader]

Thread has been getting long so forget why the Series 50. There are plenty of older coaches that are very reliable and generally less costly. Many have 8V71N and nobody will argue that one in good shape is a mule and workhorse and easier to maintain as there are no electronics. The Series 50 has DDEC  III/IV ECM. That means even with your army of mechanics they are flying blind unless they have the shop machine to hook in to get the diagnostic and run logs.

Giving you a thumbs up for passing the initiation phase. I had the same impression when first engaging this group. What a bunch of negative A holes. Do they want to help or just beat noobies up? For the most part, everyone here is earnest and help means just making this whole thing as real as possible. We all arrive with inflated, unrealistic, and totally uninformed about the real world of bus ownership.

Hang in, you'll get what you need.

[Zephod]

Giving you a thumbs up for passing the initiation phase. I had the same impression when first engaging this group. What a bunch of negative A holes. Do they want to help or just beat noobies up? For the most part, everyone here is earnest and help means just making this whole thing as real as possible. We all arrive with inflated, unrealistic, and totally uninformed about the real world of bus ownership.

This is why I went with a schoolbus. Though Carpenter is out of business, international is not (they made the chassis) nor is Detroit Diesel and many parts are interchangeable with Thomas parts. That's fairly low cost easy to source parts. I could pay $600 for a new turn signal switch or I could pay $75 but they're available at a range of prices. Try that with an elderly MCI.

Regarding people giving a rough ride... I'm quite happy to stick my middle finger up and go my own way lol. Done that plenty of times. I'm building my bus my way and people can either admire it or sod off. The same for assistance. People can answer questions and save me time hunting for the answers. The scientist in me verifies the answers before committing time or cash. Alternatively people can be complete dicks like they were on the skoolie group and various of the immature Facebook groups.


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[luvrbus]

One good thing about all groups you can always leave lol I have had my share of hits here since 90's and really never became pissed at anyone not even Dallas may he rest RIP 

[k9disc]

Thread has been getting long so forget why the Series 50. There are plenty of older coaches that are very reliable and generally less costly. Many have 8V71N and nobody will argue that one in good shape is a mule and workhorse and easier to maintain as there are no electronics. The Series 50 has DDEC  III/IV ECM. That means even with your army of mechanics they are flying blind unless they have the shop machine to hook in to get the diagnostic and run logs.

Giving you a thumbs up for passing the initiation phase. I had the same impression when first engaging this group. What a bunch of negative A holes. Do they want to help or just beat noobies up? For the most part, everyone here is earnest and help means just making this whole thing as real as possible. We all arrive with inflated, unrealistic, and totally uninformed about the real world of bus ownership.

Hang in, you'll get what you need.

Parts. Ubiquity of places to work on them. Environment, mine and the rest of y'all.

Several recommendations by diesel guys, or rather complaints on the v92.

I've talked to diesel guys who looked at me like I was greek talking about a 2stroke diesel.

Both my GF and me, from the get go, wanted a modern motor. I know that comes with codes and sensors and whatnot (Pre-EGR, though), but it also comes with the stuff above, as well. That is important, right?

[k9disc]

What I know about the sale of this bus:

I have been looking at buses, like an addict, for almost a year now. All over craigslist, auctions, and ebay. I'm pretty good at finding $#!% now... searchtempest.com - pretty cool site...

I pretty much knew every bus that was available across the country, I think. I know that's an exaggeration, but I was very rabid in my search.

I searched MI a lot because my people are great wrenches and projects abound -- we build $#!%.

These buses, there were 2 to start, were on craigslist, somehow buried -- I never once saw them -- for 6 months. Starting at $15,000, IIRC. Then down to $12k per unit.

Last month they hit my radar at auctiontime.com . I looked up the ad via google, and it popped up the craigslist ad, that I had somehow missed -- for months -- I think they went on sale in Feb. There were 3 days left on the auction. My GF liked the rig.

At auction, I missed out on the winning bid of $5300, both rigs bought by the same guy, because I couldn't put the extra money together in 3 days at the close of auction. Super bummed. At $5300, that was a steal, IMO.

I kept looking and was starting to look at cheap series60 rigs, for the reasons above, and then this rig pops back up in our neck of the woods where we have people who can put eyes and an inspection on it.

We put a deposit down and are going to inspect and, if it checks out, purchase this week.

That's the story.

[luvrbus]

2 strokes are not for every one it does require different driving habits,techniques and maintaince or you kill one in a hurry,where as the DDEC series 50 the driver cannot abuse one in normal use.
The series 50 is not my favorite engine but it will serve you well with oil changes,filters and the right antifreeze school your self once you know the basics on the operation of the series 50 it is a great +for you 
  then you can buy 15/40 oil everywhere no need to carry a case of oil with you,I still love my 2 strokes though kinda like Harley a sound of there own    

[windtrader]

k9disc,

At this point you know enough to make an informed decision. You know your strengths, weaknesses, ability to deal with stress, delays, unknowns, professional schedule commitments, etc. You've thought through all the major considerations and upgrades to meet your minimum needs. Good luck!

[k9disc]

k9disc,

At this point you know enough to make an informed decision. You know your strengths, weaknesses, ability to deal with stress, delays, unknowns, professional schedule commitments, etc. You've thought through all the major considerations and upgrades to meet your minimum needs. Good luck!

And I still don't know $#!%.

I appreciate the honest, if a bit pokey, information, for sure.

[Iceni John]

Thread has been getting long so forget why the Series 50. There are plenty of older coaches that are very reliable and generally less costly. Many have 8V71N and nobody will argue that one in good shape is a mule and workhorse and easier to maintain as there are no electronics. The Series 50 has DDEC  III/IV ECM. That means even with your army of mechanics they are flying blind unless they have the shop machine to hook in to get the diagnostic and run logs.

If you buy a bus with an electronic engine, then just buy the Pro-Link or DDR for it.   Having a DDEC bus without a scanner is putting you at the mercy of whoever works (or tries to work) on it.   I bought a Pro-Link 9000 scanner and a brand-new DDEC II and III cartridge with manual, and a printer, and the correct adapter cable to the bus's diagnostic port, and a case, all for $225.   They're out there.   With the scanner and the DDEC Troubleshooting Manual I can do my own initial fault-finding (I hope!).   DDEC isn't a reason to not buy a bus.

John

[luvrbus]

Lol Pro/Links are great if you know the basics of a DDEC they are diagnostics tool only it won't tell you anything about how to do the repair  you need the manuals that are frustrating to understand   

[J_E]

For what it's worth, the MEP-803a and 003a are Onan diesel engines.  The MEP 804a and 004a are Yanmar diesels.  Some folks have successfully converted the 3 phase output on the 04a to a single phase for 120/208V.  Buying them off of the auction sites is a risk, but sounds like you know some folks that can help mitigate that risk.

[lvmci]

Hi K9, there are generator/welder combos, you might save space/weight and get more bang for your bucks, but I would definitely choose a diesel and hook it to your tank. lvmci...

[k9disc]

Hi K9, there are generator/welder combos, you might save space/weight and get more bang for your bucks, but I would definitely choose a diesel and hook it to your tank. lvmci...

I was thinking that initially, and then wrote it off due to something posted here, can't remember what...

Might have to revisit the idea, I think.

Looks like we're putting the floor back down early next week and then the roof mount air. Will do a simple 30A plug for now, as a generator in our price range has not dropped in our laps. We have a gas honda we can throw down stairs and pull out to run the AC if we need remote power, so we're kind of on track schedule wise.

It's been fun and educational removing the floors and such. So gross, though. Anyone who doesn't do it is mad! All the gunk is out out the bus!

Can't wait to have the floor back my spiderman skills have really come along, but I'm ready to see it put back together. Just the last couple feet of chair rail in the back, a little more frame painting and the floor is going down.

Thanks for all the thoughts on this thread, guys. We definitely jumped right into the deep end. It's going to be something.
Peace~
Ron