How do you handle your bus without a generator and AC

[RJ]

I don't know where you live but I'm debating whether to sell off my diesel generator and sub in a smaller portable as a backup when extended low solar days are not able to maintain adequate SOC (state of charge).

Don -

Might want to re-think selling your genset. Most of the small portables are contractor units, which translate into noise.  Exception being the Honda units - but either way, now you're having to carry another type of fuel.

Last winter one night when it was in the low teens, we had a power failure in the RV park I'm at. I went out, unplugged the umbilical cord, then fired up the genset, since my coach is all-electric. Burned three or four gallons of diesel, but stayed nice and toasty inside from my four electric heaters - as well as keeping the electric heaters in the baggage bays doing their thing. No way would a solar system have been able to do that overnight in freezing weather.  Extreme? Yes, but as far as I'm concerned, it's better to have it and not always need it than to need it an not have the option.

IF not for you, but perhaps for someone who buys your coach later?

FWIW & HTH. . .

RJ

[luvrbus]

Just have a question about using your bus if your unit  does not have a generator or any AC units other then the original bus equipment. I recall when I drove a stage coach back a million years ago, when it got hot we would leave the coach run 24 hours a day to help keep it cooled for customers. I do not think that would go over well at a campsite or RV park.

Any input on what some options could be may help.

It is going to depend on how you plan to use the bus,you will get all kinds of answers ,Freds has it right follow the 70 degrees lol here we are close to  the end of October and I have visitors with 4 buses plugged in staying cool in the afternoon, the nights are nice and cool no AC needed. When setting on the side of road for 2 days in the desert heat waiting on a tow truck believe it a generator is a wonderful piece of equipment BTDT in El Paso one year in July 

[dtcerrato]

We like that term "chasing 70 degrees", hence the reason to want to dual resident in FL & AK. It's phenomenal how similar a FL winter and an AK summer are. In fact the AK summer is a tad bit cooler - especially at night. A great combination except for the distance thus looking to fly instead in coming years. Already got a place & transportation on both ends.

[Jim Blackwood]

Dan, I wonder how the gulf coast or S. Carolina and the north side of the great lakes might work out for that?

Jim

[luvrbus]

Dan, I wonder how the gulf coast or S. Carolina and the north side of the great lakes might work out for that?

Jim

It will work carry good rain gear and a 20 gauge to kill the mosquitos and you will be fine ,S Carolina or the Gulf of Mexico won't work for you  humdity   

[Jim Blackwood]

No? How about the mountains for summer and down in Georgia somewheres?

Jim

[luvrbus]

No? How about the mountains for summer and down in Georgia somewheres? even in Tennessee humidity is a killer 

Jim

Took me a while till I started reading the weather maps and the humidity belt then I stayed away from those places,I grew up on the Gulf Coast and humidity can suck   

[Jim Blackwood]

Yeah, but I LIKE humidity.

Jim

[Van]

Just have a question about using your bus if your unit  does not have a generator or any AC units other then the original bus equipment. I recall when I drove a stage coach back a million years ago, when it got hot we would leave the coach run 24 hours a day to help keep it cooled for customers. I do not think that would go over well at a campsite or RV park.

Any input on what some options could be may help.

Buy an already converted bus, you'll be further ahead. With as many coaches on the market now it is a wasted effort to build a seated coach from scratch. Unless you are looking for that mobil meth lab look lol! In any event you will need electricity. Solar needs sun, Shore cord needs a pole and when all else fails, a generator. Save yer dough for updates and upgrades. You never hear the horror stories here on failed attempts of newbies and novices who were overwelmed and just gave up. Wasted time, wasted money and dreams that dried up and blew away. Best of luck in your endeavors!

  All it takes is$$$$
  Choose wisely😉

[dtcerrato]

Gulf coast humidity is not present in the winter months as the predominant winds are out of the NW. As for summer months it can get in the high 90s to 100s as far north as Winnipeg. When Alaska interior gets in the low 80s in July people melt.

[luvrbus]

Humidity can get bad in Cooks Inlet and Kenia Ak I couldn't tell much difference between Houston except it wasn't as hot and cooled down at night, when the wind comes out of the south on the Gulf it brings the humidity with it on the Texas coast

[dtcerrato]

10-4 on Gulf of Alaska and points south of Palmer being humid same reason for that area being so much warmer than the Interior where Tok is - as much as +40F in winters. We're so acclimated to FL humidity it can hardly get worse than that anywhere but Texas can get real spongy.

[windtrader]

@RJ - I'm not going to make any rash decision on ditching the genny. It's all bolted in, wired in, works great, and paid for. I don't need another 1/2  bay for stuff, running half full now.

I really think it's more a game that I don't use, need it, depend on it. The Honda was what I had in mind as they are quiet and not going to run many hours. But why spend money and time/enery making the swap. Anyone who says solar is all they need has not done it where it gets gray for more than a few days. Without a pole you have to generate power besides solar; i.e. generator.
Cold is fine on batteries as electricity is just to run fans, the Webasto is diesel and throws plenty of heat. I would not consider going electric heat and ditching the webasto. I am nuts but not certified as yet.
I just picked up 10 320watt panels, need to get then=m on the roof.

[luvrbus]

I really think it's more a game that I don't use, need it, depend on it. The Honda was what I had in mind as they are quiet and not going to run many hours. But why spend money and time/enery making the swap. Anyone who says solar is all they need has not done it where it gets gray for more than a few days. Without a pole you have to generate power besides solar; i.e. generator.
Cold is fine on batteries as electricity is just to run fans, the Webasto is diesel and throws plenty of heat. I would not consider going electric heat and ditching the webasto. I am nuts but not certified as yet.
I just picked up 10 320watt panels, need to get then=m on the roof.

You popped a lot of bubbles Don  most of the guys won't tell you the downside

[Satelliteguy]

The question is....... How will I be using the bus....... I am interested in living in it full time and traveling as I feel like moving. I am hoping to go and look at a bus very soon that does not have the genny and AC. Its a nice looking bus from the pics and I am excited to go and see it. Wanting to live in it full time, I have to consider that I may not be able to always be in that 70 degree weather and hope to get some ideas on the best and lowest cost way of adding some AC to this coach. I use to drive charter buses in California/Nevada a life time ago and when it was hot we ran the bus 24 hours a day to keep them cooled down with the coach AC. Not really and option in a RV park or boon docking location.

A split Mini AC/heat unit maybe an option, still trying to get as much info as possible. At this late in life I hate making bad decisions as it takes so long to recover from them.