Building my first conversion (MCI 1985 96a3)..... Help!!

[Dakell12]

Hello there! First time converter here, and I have a bunch of electric questions, if anyone would care to help out...
    My layout is as such: Electrically, I am going to be running outlets and lights throughout the bus, as well as a 32" television and a high end audio system (and potentially, a rooftop A/C unit). Also, I may run the refrigerator on part propane/ part electric. This being said, if anyone has a reference to an affordable professional in the Los Angeles area, it would be much appreciated.

   My questions are as follows: (Random advice is appreciated as well)
            1) Should I run house batteries, a generator, or a combination of both to achieve these goals? If so, what size of each.
            2) What size inverter should I use? True sine or modified?
           
That is actually all I can think of at this point, but more to follow. Thanks everyone!

[TomC]

I have a 40ft x 102" transit with very large slightly tinted windows.  I have three 13,500btu roof airs that two running will keep the bus cool to 100 degrees where I can kick on the third.  They are powered with a 10kw Diesel gen.  I would suggest a compressor type reefer. I have a Norcold 6.3 12v/120vac that works well and only draws 5 amps when running, or about 2.5 amp hours (50% running time).  Tundra and Novakool also make compressor type reefers.  Absorption type reefers just don't last and they don't like heat and humidity.  I have 2-10gal electric water heaters (straight from Home Depot) that one feeds into the next with the final one powered through the inverter for hot water while driving.  My inverter is a Trace 2500 watt modified sine wave that makes the microwave hum and the stove vent run slow when on inverter.  Would highly recommend the Xantrex true sine wave inverter.  For batteries I have two Lifeline AGM batteries that are 8D with 255 amp hours each.  Many different ways to go, as you'll see.  Good Luck, TomC

[Jerry32]

You need a variety of power if you are going to boondock but it simple if you are going to be tied to a pole. If you are getting a converter I recomend true sine wave and you can get them with battery chargers and auto ac switching. I pesonally decided to go with a household refer running off the inverter. I think that the mini split heat pump systems might be a plus as roof airs have a time getting rid of heat when they are up in the heat of the roof. (have you ever been on a roof in the sun?) plus they can cool and provide some heat. With a 50 amp system you basically have two 120V lines so you can split the useage up to what you want to balance the load.   Jerry

[jjrbus]

 At this point in your conversion you need to educate yourself a bit. Smead's living on 12 volts is a good place to strart.(also applies to 24V) www.amazon.com/Living-Twelve-Volts-Ample-Power/dp/0945415052 · 5/14/2007   Also may be available at your local library. I'm sure there are others out there.
We can tell you what we did, but if you put 100 buses together you would find 98 different ways to do it. You are going to spend a lot of money and will live with the results.
Some people insist on a tru sine wave inverter, I've had a modified sine wave (Trace DR3624) for 7 years and am happy with it. Neither is the "right way to do it"
I like a small battery bank, 4 golf cart batterys and a small genset (HondaEV6010). But I spend most of my time on a power pole. If you are going to be out in the sticks alot, you may want a different setup.
When you make a decision on an inverter befor you buy, post here someone may point you to a good place to buy.
There are many conversions around with gensets that are way too big. The first conversion I looked at had a 20K diesel. you could run a small town with that. Diesel genset do not like to be underloaded.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Dakell12,

Welcome!

Your not in it alone....We are here to help!

Good Luck to you!
Nick Badame-

[Dakell12]

thanks so much everyone...this is a daunting task. Does anyone know of a good professional shop to wire my RV's electric system in Los Angeles?

[Dreamscape]

Welcome,

First of all do you know what you want? If you do then it will be much easier for someone to design and set it up for you. As other have said learn as much as you can before giving them your wallet. The electrical is part of the foundation for your dream coach. Determine exactly how you will use your coach, then go from there. Ask questions, as there are many differant answers to them.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape

[pvcces]

The key that you are looking for when you figure out how you are going to use your coach is to identify how much power consumption to allow for. This will make it possible to identify how much shore power, generator power and battery storage that you will need.

What is not real obvious is that, for boondocking, power usage, generation, storage and inverter sizing work much better when they are in balance. Other combinations will work, but they are less efficient and more costly because of that lower efficiency.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey

Welcome,

First of all do you know what you want? If you do then it will be much easier for someone to design and set it up for you. As other have said learn as much as you can before giving them your wallet. The electrical is part of the foundation for your dream coach. Determine exactly how you will use your coach, then go from there. Ask questions, as there are many differant answers to them.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Dreamscape